The laboratory assists in 60-70% of all clinical decision and its goal is to provide information that is useful in clinical decision making and to prevent cases where incorrect interpretation leads to poor patient outcomes.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been described as the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients”. It involves the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) focuses on the evaluation and use of laboratory tests to improve patient outcomes. It assists clinical management by integrating the best available research evidence for the use of laboratory investigations with the physician’s clinical expertise and the needs, expectations and concerns of patients. This leads to improved care and outcomes of individual patients and the effective use of healthcare resources.

Worryingly, a large percentage of laboratory tests requested are unwarranted or inappropriate leading amongst others, to increased costs, unnecessary follow up testing, wasted resources and patient anxiety. There are many reasons for this inappropriate testing and numerous interventions have been suggested. As laboratory professionals, it is our duty to educate our clients (clinicians and patients) about appropriate laboratory testing and tackle this problem. The C-EBLM has recently made the appropriate use of laboratory testing one of their focus areas.