Traceability in Laboratory Medicine: What is it and Why is it Important for Patients?

The between method variability of patient results is a source of uncertainty that can have adverse consequences for patient safety and clinical outcomes. Globalisation requires that laboratory medicine results should be transferable between methods. Traceability in laboratory medicine aims to reduce between method variability so that results are independent of time or location. Application of the metrological traceability chain facilitates a universal approach based around the preparation, adoption and use of higher order international commutable reference materials and reference measurement procedures, supported by expert reference laboratories. Global collaboration is required, involving several different stakeholder groups ranging from international experts to laboratory medicine specialists in routine clinical laboratories.