Traceability in clinical laboratory measurements: impact on quality and patient safety

Abstract

Reliable, metrologically traceable, and comparable measurements provide the rationale for evaluating the quality of a result and strengthening clinical laboratory networks, thereby improving quality of care and patient safety. This document reviews the basic principles that must be followed to ensure the traceability of clinical laboratory results, the advantages of using traceable methods, the impact of not doing so, and the main limitations in relating measurements to appropriate reference standards.