The Clinical Laboratory Is an Integral Component to Health Care Delivery : An Expanded Representation of the Total Testing Process

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Developing an expanded representation of the total testing process that includes contemporary elements of laboratory practice can be useful to understanding and optimizing testing workflows across clinical laboratory and patient care settings. Methods Published literature and meeting reports were used by the coauthors to inform the development of the expanded representation of the total testing process and relevant examples describing its uses. Results A visual representation of the total testing process was developed and contextualized to patient care scenarios using a number of examples covering the detection of blood culture contamination, use of next-generation sequencing, and pharmacogenetic testing. Conclusions The expanded representation of the total testing process can serve as a model and framework to document and improve the use of clinical testing within the broader context of health care delivery. This representation recognizes increased engagement among clinical laboratory professionals with patients and other health care providers as essential to making informed decisions. The increasing use of data is highlighted as important to ensuring quality, appropriate test utilization, and sustaining an efficient workflow across clinical laboratory and patient care settings. Maintaining a properly resourced and competent workforce is also featured as an essential component to the testing process.