Topbas’s scientific contributions

To determine the true value of a measured quantity is an important asset for Good Laboratory Practice in every area of measurement. Determining the random and systematic errors along the processing of samples provides us information on total error and creates a doubt (uncertainty) about the true value of the measured quantity. The so called "Uncertainty of Measurement" has become an important issue in metrology and its importance has been increasingly realized by clinical laboratories, also. But there is need for clarifying this concept for clinical laboratories by identifying the right methodology, calculation and some practical issues since most of the related information and guide lines are produced for chemical laboratories which do not deal with biological samples. ISO15189 requires that "The laboratory shall determine the uncertainty of results, where relevant and possible". This statement explains the exact situation of uncertainty of measurement in clinical laboratories. By calculation of uncertainty of measurement, the clinical laboratories are obtaining the numerical value to identify the dispersion of the values attributed to measured quantity. This numerical value is also indicating the magnitude of the doubt about that certain result. Although the clinical laboratories are able to identify and evaluate the most of the relevant elements contributing to the uncertainty of measurement, general use of uncertainty measurement values in patient reports on routine basis will take some time. To report the results with uncertainty of measurement is for the benefit of the patients and the doctors, but practically there is need for ongoing education and training to create awareness, both for laboratories and sample sending doctors to understand this concept. Establishing uncertainty of measurement guidelines for clinical laboratories can accelerate this process.