A new Educational Resource for Preanalytical issues in Laboratory Medicine Dr Steve Kitchen Clinical Scientist Sheffield Haemophilia Centre, UK

What is Specimencare.com? Website resource focussed on preanalytical issues Educational Independent All areas of laboratory medicine Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Coagulation/Haemostasis, Microbiology, (Molecular)

Mission Statement specimencare.com is an on-line resource to identify, evaluate and promote the application of best practices in all aspects of the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing in clinical medicine.

Edited by a European Pre-analytical Scientific Committee Prof Norbert Blanckaert, Leuven, Belgium Prof Pieroangelo Bonini, Milano, Italy Dr Sol Green, Director of Clinical Affairs, BD Europe Dr Steve Kitchen, UK Prof Giuseppi Lippi, Verona, Italy Prof Vladimir Palicka, Prague, Czech Republic Dr Anne Vassault, Paris, France Website sponsored by BD Diagnostics – Preanalytical Systems - Europe

Website components

Resource Centre The resource centre contains updated materials on the latest preanalytical guidelines, preanalytical flow charts, literature, in focus and useful links. Introduction to Preanalytical Variables NEW Resources Added Preanalytical Guidelines Preanalytical flowcharts Literature In Focus Useful links

Preanalytical guidelines This section contains a list of guidelines in which the preanalytical phase is either the main focus or either component of those. Specimen collection and handling Clinical chemistry Haematology Haemostasis Microbiology Urine To follow - Point of Care, Molecular

Guidelines Specimen collection and handling CLSI (Formerly NCCLS): Tubes and Additives for Venous Blood Specimen Collection: Approved standard – H1-A5. 2003 Abstract: CLSI document H1-A5—Tubes and Additives for Venous Blood Specimen Collection; Approved Standard—Fifth Edition is a performance standard for manufacturers of venous blood collection tubes and additives and users of venous blood collection tubes. H1 addresses …………… etc

Preanalytical Flow Charts

In focus Focus on a particular topic Preanalytical Flowchart Tests affected Relevant literature New topics from time to time ( previous topics can be accessed)

Forthcoming Events Relevant meetings/conferences XXI ISTH Congress Start Date: 6 July 2007 End date: 12 July 2007 Venue:  Palexpo City: Geneva Country: Switzerland Website for meeting info

Our Goals ? Facilitation of access to relevant and recent literature Raise awareness of preanalytical issues Improve laboratory services Improve patient care

Acknowledgements Site Sponsors - Becton, Dickinson Europe, Middle East and Africa Stephen Church, Bob Ferrigno Webmaster – Sara Fernandez Mavis Bouman