Guest Essay
Dr. Per Hyltoft-Petersen discusses why reference values and reference intervals are still an issue and are still important.
Dr. Pål Rustad explains how more than 100 laboratories in the Nordic countries collaborated to produce common reference intervals for 25 quantities in serum/plasma and 8 hematology quantities.
Sten Westgard provides a report on a presentation from three experts on three different quality management trends. Different approaches are discussed, areas of convergence are described.
Dr. HMJ Goldschmidt and Dr JC Libeer explain the history of the Quality in the Spotlight conference, an annual event in Europe that is devoted to the topic of quality. Also, a list of "Westgard Award" winners is given.
Risk Management is coming to laboratory medicine, possibly to a regulation near you. As we learn about the principles, tools, and processes of RM, Sten Westgard reminds us to take time to evaluate the risks.