The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: code of conduct, version 3 – 2023

Abstract

Abstract Whilst version 2 focussed on the professional conduct expected of a Specialist in Laboratory Medicine, version 3 builds on the responsibilities for ethical conduct from point of planning to point of care. Particular responsibilities that are outlined include: – The need for evidence when planning a new service, providing assurance that a new test does not do harm – Maintaining respect for patient confidentiality, their religious/ethnic beliefs, the need for informed consent to test, agreement on retrospective use of samples as part of governance envelopes in the pre-analytical phase – Ensuring respect for patient autonomy in the response to untoward results generated in the analytical phase – Supporting the safety of patients in the post-analytical phase through knowledge-based interpretation and presentation of results – The duty of candour to disclose and respond to error across the total testing process – Leading initiatives to harmonise and standardise pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases to ensure more consistent clinical decision making with utilisation of demand management to ensure more equitable access to scarce resources – Working with emerging healthcare providers beyond the laboratory to ensure consistent application of high standards of clinical care In identifying opportunities for wider contributions to resolving ethical challenges across healthcare the need is also highlighted for more external quality assurance schemes and ethics-based quality indicators that span the total testing process.