Abstract
The objective of all quality assurance measures in laboratory medicine is to produce a proper diagnosis based on conclusive findings. Thereupon rests the foundation of optimal treatment for the patient. Conversely, this means for both laboratories and POCT users a paradigm shift from quality control of analyses to comprehensive quality management. This objective can only be achieved if the overall diagnostic process is calculated into the equation; this process extends from the correct patient-focused ordering of tests for the disease-relevant analytes to the correct interpretation of the analysis results aimed at rendering the proper diagnosis and monitoring the therapy based on that diagnosis. In POCT, the pre- and post-analytical phases depend both on the analytes to be tested as well as on the device used. Several overriding principles shall be addressed below.
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Bietenbeck, A. (2018). Pre- and post-analytical phases. In: Luppa, P.B., Junker, R. (eds) Point-of-Care Testing. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54497-6_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54497-6_4
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