The Association for Laboratory Medicine (previously the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine) is a United Kingdom-based learned society dedicated to the practice and promotion of clinical biochemistry and laboratory medicine. It was founded in 1953 and its official journal is the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. The association is a full, national society member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine IFCC[1] as well as a full member of the regional European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.[2]
| Abbreviation | LabMed (previously ACB) |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
| Formation | 1952 |
| Merger of | Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology Association of Clinical Microbiologists |
| Type | National scientific society |
| Purpose | Biochemistry advancement |
| Headquarters | London, SE1 |
Region served | United Kingdom |
President | Katherine Hayden |
CEO | Victoria Logan |
Main organ | Council |
| Affiliations | International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | Association of Clinical Biochemists Association for Clinical Biochemistry |
History
editFounded as the Association of Clinical Biochemists, the association has evolved as biochemistry has changed with advances in laboratory medicine. Recognizing an increasing number of medical members, the name was changed in 2005 to Association for Clinical Biochemistry. In 2007 the "Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology" merged with the ACB. The membership expanded in 2010 with the merger with the "Association of Clinical Microbiologists". The broader nature of the membership contributed to the renaming of the ACB to its current name at the annual meeting in 2013.[3] The name was changed to the Association for Laboratory medicine in 2024 [4]
Clinical concerns
editLabMed is responsible for determining the specific content for courses related to certification as a clinical biochemist in the UK. Normally this is a three or four year academic sequence followed by qualification examinations. Because of the competitive admission criteria, many applicants have advanced degrees before beginning the biochemistry program.[5]
Papers published by LabMed members are related to the use of laboratories by doctors and patient health diagnostic testing in the UK.
- Blood draw procedures and tests by junior doctors and nurses in the A&E department of a Birmingham hospital were frequently performed with the wrong collection equipment or were mishandled afterward. The College of Emergency Medicine said the issue identified by the audit at Birmingham is "universally relevant".[6]
- A 2008 study emphasized issues with junior doctors who were not being trained in pathology and laboratory testing. Eighteen percent of junior doctors in the sample were not confident they could interpret the results of tests they ordered for patients. More than 70% felt a need for more training in clinical biochemistry.[7][8]
LabMed was part of a 2008 effort by a consortium to support a Scottish government initiative aimed at emphasizing the need for quality laboratory services to the practice of medicine.[9]
References
edit- ^ "IFCC - Full members". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "IFCC - EFLM - European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "ACB - History". The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ LabMed. "History". labmed.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ *Quality Assurance in the Pathology Laboratory: Forensic, Technical, and ..., p. PA331, at Google Books
- ^ Brimelow, Adam (22 September 2011). "Call for more training to improve blood tests in A&E". BBC News. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ "'Junior Doctors Can't Read Test Results'". Sky News. 2 February 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ "Doctors "unable to interpret tests"". Hospital Healthcare Europe. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ "Labs are vital". European-Hospital. 3 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.