Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine is a United Kingdom-based learned society dedicated to the practice and promotion of clinical biochemistry. It was founded in 1953 and its official journal is the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. The association is a full, national society member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine IFCC[1] as well as a full member of the regional European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.[2]

Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
AbbreviationACB
PredecessorAssociation for Clinical Biochemistry
Formation1952 (1952)
Merger ofAssociation of Clinical Scientists in Immunology
Association of Clinical Microbiologists
TypeNational scientific society
PurposeBiochemistry advancement
HeadquartersLondon, SE1
Region served
United Kingdom
President
Ian S.Young
Main organ
ACB Council
AffiliationsInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Websitewww.acb.org.uk
Formerly called
Association of Clinical Biochemists
Association for Clinical Biochemistry

History

Founded as the Association of Clinical Biochemists, the association has evolved as biochemistry has changed with advances in laboratory medicine. Recognizing an increasing number of medical members, the name was changed in 2005 to Association for Clinical Biochemistry. In 2007 the "Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology" merged with the ACB. The membership expanded in 2010 with the merger with the "Association of Clinical Microbiologists". The broader nature of the membership contributed to the renaming of the ACB to its current name at the annual meeting in 2013.[3]

Clinical concerns

The ACB is responsible for determining the specific content for courses related to certification as a clinical biochemist in the UK. Normally this is a three or four year academic sequence followed by qualification examinations. Because of the competitive admission criteria, many applicants have advanced degrees before beginning the biochemistry program.[4]

Papers published by ACB members are related to the use of laboratories by doctors and patient health diagnostic testing in the UK.

  • Blood draw procedures and tests by junior doctors and nurses in the A&E department of a Birmingham hospital were frequently performed with the wrong collection equipment or were mishandled afterward. The College of Emergency Medicine said the issue identified by the audit at Birmingham is "universally relevant".[5]
  • A 2008 study emphasized issues with junior doctors who were not being trained in pathology and laboratory testing. Eighteen percent of junior doctors in the sample were not confident they could interpret the results of tests they ordered for patients. More than 70% felt a need for more training in clinical biochemistry.[6][7]

The ACB was part of a 2008 effort by a consortium to support a Scottish government initiative aimed at emphasizing the need for quality laboratory services to the practice of medicine.[8]

References
  1. "IFCC - Full members". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  2. "IFCC - EFLM - European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  3. "ACB - History". The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  5. Brimelow, Adam (22 September 2011). "Call for more training to improve blood tests in A&E". BBC News. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  6. "'Junior Doctors Can't Read Test Results'". Sky News. 2 February 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  7. "Doctors "unable to interpret tests"". Hospital Healthcare Europe. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  8. "Labs are vital". European-Hospital. 3 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.

Further reading
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