S. Kinoshita et al., Standardization of laboratory data and establishment of reference intervals in the fukuoka prefecture: A Japanese perspective, CLIN CH L M, 39(3), 2001, pp. 256-262
Standardization of 22 clinical chemistry analytes and five serum protein co
nstituents has been performed in the Fukuoka Prefecture, which has a popula
tion of approximately five million. The standardization project was establi
shed to determine reference intervals for these analytes by educating physi
cians, medical technologists and staff of medical institutions, and by dail
y or monthly monitoring the use of common control samples through e-mail. S
tandardization extended to 97% of the institutions in the prefecture. Resul
ts for 14 of the 22 clinical chemistry analytes have become highly reliable
and differences between institutions decreased. Standardization of other a
nalytes is now in progress. Regional collaboration based on international g
uidelines led to a significant improvement in interlaboratory comparability
. Areas where further improvements are needed have been identified.