Harmonisation of test profiles and retesting intervals in the UK

Abstract

The UK is not alone in endeavouring to harmonise test profiles and retesting intervals. Many routine profiles date back to the time of continuous flow analysers when reagent costs were negligible. However, since the switch to discrete analysers many years ago, routine core test reagents now cost around £0.07 Sterling or AU$0.10 each, a small sum, but large when numbers are taken into account. Different test profiles also lead to confusion. Rationalising test profiles and introducing recommended default minimum retesting intervals offers an opportunity to reduce costs and standardise approaches. This talk describes work to establish UK consensus suggestions to harmonise routine chemistry profiles, 1 and minimum retesting intervals. 2 For profiles, some profile content was straightforward whilst some were more difficult. Some also require far wider debate, such as the measurement of serum protein to calculate ‘globulins' in reality mostly a screening test for monoclonal gammopathy. A shift to diagnosis-based testing would allow a tailored approach, which could harmonise practices, and requesting.