COVER STORIES

While laboratorians have discovered that PT results can yield insights for quality management, the unknown differences between PT samples and real patient samples can leave labs with questions about their true performance. As a result, experts encourage laboratorians to have a clear understanding about the potential—as well as the limits—of PT.

The D-dimer test has an important role in the work-up of suspected pulmonary embolism, but it is often ordered inappropriately or misinterpreted. Several professional health organizations have issued guidelines for diagnosing and managing pulmonary embolism that speak to the test utilization issue.

SERIES ARTICLE

Measuring creatinine and reporting glomerular filtration rate are vital to catching chronic kidney disease early and managing patients’ disease. To reduce variability among different measurement procedures, laboratories should use current recommendations from the National Kidney Disease Education Program.

NEWS BRIEF

INSIDE

AACC bids farewell to Executive Vice President Richard Flaherty after more than 20 years of leadership.

Each month, AACC’s Expert Access Live Online Program features a different hot topic. Read a Q&A with Deanna Franke, PhD, DABCC, MT (ASCP), about the differences between standard and non-standard laboratory tests and how your lab can review its current body fluid test menu to ensure reporting of clinically useful body fluid results.

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