Reference laboratory

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A reference laboratory can be defined in many different ways; however, there are two broad senses to the term:

  • a laboratory that performs reference or calibration measurement procedures or assigns reference values to test objects, later potentially providing those associated reference values for references or sources of traceability of test results; alternate names include: reference measurement, reference testing, and calibration laboratory[1][2][3][4][5][6]
  • a laboratory — typically privately-owned — that performs quality and cost-effective high-volume and esoteric testing of biological samples for physicians, hospitals, and other laboratories; alternate names include: referral or diagnostic laboratory[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Reference measurement and calibration

The idea of a laboratory dedicated to performing reference measurements for the benefit of the general public apparently had been conceived and implemented in Germany before the beginning of the twentieth century; however, as of 1902, few if any of this laboratory type existed in the United States. Researcher Richard L. Humphrey, writing on cement testing in municipal laboratories in 1902, stated[4]:

At the present time only a few of the better equipped municipal laboratories compile and publish in a systematic manner the results of their tests. These tests serve as a guide to aid the engineer the architect or the builder (who possess no facilities for making tests of this character), in selecting the best and most suitable material for their work. As these results are obtained under different conditions they are not related and there seems to be no basis for a comparison. Without a knowledge of the methods in vogue and the personal equation of the engineer in charge, it is impossible to form any idea of the relative quality of two cements, where one is tested in one laboratory and the other in another. There is therefore a most urgent need for a central or reference laboratory, conducted under impartial conditions, at the service of the general public, where fixed standards can be maintained and to which all materials of construction can be referred in case of dispute between the producer and consumer or for purposes of general information as to its properties.
 

Several foreign laboratories, notably that at Charlottenburg, Germany, are conducted on these lines under government direction and are of immeasurable value, There is no government laboratory of this character in this country at the present time, Most manufacturers and many engineers will no doubt agree that there is a growing need for the same. Such a laboratory could establish standards of excellence and could conduct its tests in such a manner that the published results would be related and be of general use.

Referral and diagnostic

References

  1. Czichos, Horst ; Saito, Tetsuya; Smith, Leslie R., ed. (2006). Springer Handbook of Materials Measurement Methods. Springer. p. 83–84. ISBN 3540303006. http://books.google.com/books?id=8lANaR-Pqi4C&pg=PA83. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  2. Siekmann, Lothar (November 2007). "Requirements for Reference (Calibration) Laboratories in Laboratory Medicine" (PDF). The Clinical Biochemist Reviews 28 (4): 149–154. PMC PMC2282407. http://www.ifcc.org/media/147899/LS%20Clin%20Biochem%20Rev%202007_28_149-154.pdf. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  3. "ISO 15195:2003 - Laboratory medicine -- Requirements for reference measurement laboratories". International Organization for Standardization. 2003. http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=38363. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting, Volume II. American Society for Testing Materials. 1902. p. 158–159. http://books.google.com/books?id=9J-2AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA159. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  5. Barnes, Jeff; O'Hanlon, Barbara; Feeley III, Frank; McKeon, Kimberly; Gitonga, Nelson; Decker, Caytie (2010). Private Health Sector Assessment in Kenya. The World Bank. p. 97. ISBN 0821383639. http://books.google.com/books?id=Xd3rQeEGytIC&pg=PA97. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  6. Raghu, B. (2003). Practical Biochemistry for Medical Students. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 23. ISBN 818061106X. http://books.google.com/books?id=-bdRvKaEIFYC&pg=PA23. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  7. Jones, Steven L., ed. (2001). Clinical Laboratory Pearls. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 569. ISBN 0781725798. http://books.google.com/books?id=3L3Az0yIPF0C&pg=PA569. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  8. Esteridge, Barbara H.; Reynolds, Anna P.; Walters, Norma J. (2000). Basic Medical Laboratory Techniques (4th, revised ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 4. ISBN 0766812065. http://books.google.com/books?id=qMgAbOHSlsMC&pg=PA4. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  9. Vaden, Shelly L.; Knoll, Joyce S.; Smith, Jr., Francis W. K.; Tilley, Larry P., ed. (2011). Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures - Canine and Feline (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. XXVII–XXXI. ISBN 0470961031. http://books.google.com/books?id=htie9uqN19wC&pg=PR28. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  10. Wolman, Dianne Miller; Kalfoglou, Andrea L.; LeRoy, Lauren (2000). Medicare Laboratory Payment Policy: Now and in the Future. National Academies Press. p. 171. ISBN 0309183618. http://books.google.com/books?id=Wib8r9PuEx4C&pg=PA171. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  11. Runge, Dawn; Smith, Michele A. (2005). Lab Billing And Coding: Effective Strategies for Compliance. HC Pro, Inc. p. 160–162. ISBN 157839676X. http://books.google.com/books?id=ET9rAt5By3MC&pg=PA160. Retrieved 02 May 2013. 
  12. Doolin, Peter J. (2007). Medical Assisting Made Incredibly Easy: Lab Competencies. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 3. ISBN 0781763479. http://books.google.com/books?id=ryfLQUvF_iQC&pg=PT16. Retrieved 02 May 2013.