News, views and topics of interest for clinical laboratory professionals.

It has been estimated that up to 70 percent of the information utilized by clinicians for diagnosis and treatment of patients is provided by the clinical laboratory.  The quality and timeliness of laboratory results are critical components of human health care. Laboratories all over the world are staffed by highly trained, committed scientists whose primary goal is to provide this quality information in order to maximize the welfare of the patient. This focus on quality is exemplified by a wide range of professional organizations and publishers, both print and internet that serve the industry and its practitioners.  We provide here links to these organizations and summaries of important news and commentary.  Additionally, there is a listing of conferences and excellent on-line resources for continuing professional development for clinical laboratory scientists. Labs have always been and will always be a critical part of quality health care.