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Clinical science

In this area of the site you will find the results of audits, information about tests, and other scientific information relevant to the region.

For more information email: Audit Representative - Karen Smith (ksmith@gri-biochem.org.uk).

Information is also available on the National ABC Audit web page.

Latest additions

Protein Electrophoresis Audit

Click here for summary report.

Gynaecological Disorders & Male Infertility

Click here for recommended first-line biochemical tests.

HbA1c STANDARDISATION

From 1st June 2009 HbA1c will be reported in both mmol/mol (IFCC) and % (DCCT). Diabetes UK, ACB and NHS Scotland Scottish Diabetes Group have produced documents to introduce this change.

For information for laboratory professionals click here ...

For information for patients click here ...

national versions of this leaflet can also be obtained on the main ACB site: https://members.acb.org.uk/members/news.aspx?lID=1&sID=1&pID=1&yrID=0&aID=57

SCOTTISH CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY- MANAGED CLINICAL NETWORK DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

The Scottish Regional Committee of the ACB, in collaboration with the SSCB and the IBMS, have been considering the possibility of a Scotland - wide network for Clinical Biochemistry. Following discussions an amended proposal is now available for consultation.

Closing date for comments is 22nd September 2008.

For more information click here ...

‘National Audits Database’ on the ACB Website
AUDIT SUBMISSION FORM

The National Audits Page of the ACB website acts as a resource to contain links to Audit reports produced by the regions and Nationally. The summary of each audit is placed on the main site and links are placed to the report document, which is usually located in the Clinical Science section of the appropriate Regional Website. For certain audits e.g. National Audits it is not appropriate to place the report documents on regional website, and a facility has been placed on the ACB Website Regional Audit leads should pass on details of completed started and proposed audits to the ACB Office using this form. The ACB Office staff will then be able to input this information onto the main ACB website.

For more information and audit submission form click here...

Progesterone Audit 2006

Final report on a Scottish regional survey aimed at finding a consensus for the correct timing of samples to assess ovulation in regular cycles, appropriate test requesting in irregular cycles, cut off levels for confirming ovulation and evaluating the evidence on which these levels are based. (More...)

Effect of the nGMS Contract on Laboratory Test Requesting:
Audit of Scottish Laboratories

Click here for 2006 audit.

An Audit of Gastrointestinal Investigations Performed in UK Laboratories

Click here for the results of a recent survey of GI investigations carried out jointly by Glasgow and Derby.

Scottish Region Pleural and Ascitic Fluid Audit

Click here for a summary of responses and standards for pleural and ascitic fluid

NHS QIS Bowel Screening Consultation Exercise

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) is currently involved in a project for the development of draft clinical standards for bowel screening, which has now entered the consultation phase.   NHS QIS is organising two national open meetings in Glasgow and Nairn .   These meetings will give members of the public and healthcare professionals from all parts of Scotland an opportunity to express their views, ensuring the draft clinical standards are well-defined, easy-to-use and understand, and ultimately, effective.   The clinical standards, when finalised , will complement the Scottish Executive Health Department's initiative to help tackle bowel cancer, with the roll-out of a national bowel screening programme aimed at men and women aged between 50 and 74 years.  

Click here for invitation letter

Click here for invitation pack

Click here to view draft clinical standards for bowel screening.

Recommendations for implementations of eGFR reporting in Scotland

At the Scottish Regional Committee meeting in March 2006 recommendations on implementation of estimated GFR (eGFR) were discussed. The recommendations were formulated by a group of interested biochemists and nephrologists, instigated at the request of the Steering Group of the Scottish Renal Registry. The recommendations were circulated to all lead nephrologists and biochemists in Scotland for comment.

The Scottish Regional Committee agreed that a unified approach across Scotland with regard to the calculation used for eGFR and the use of assay specific factors supplied by UKEQAS was desirable, but noted that each health area would have individual responses to the practicalities of implementating eGFR reporting. These responses would take into account a number of factors including current procedures for reporting creatinine results, and the views of clinicians, including renal physicians, served by individual laboratories.

Poisons
Survey of availability of toxicological analyses in clinical biochemistry laboratories in Scotland.

Faecal Occult Blood Test

Results of an audit of FOBt in Scotland, consisting of a preamble and three sections seeking information on aspects of laboratory, ward and clinic, and general practice FOBt.

To view the questionnaire, click here.

CSF Testing

Report on a national audit of CSF testing.