Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM): una cooperazione internazionale per promuovere la standardizzazione dei risultati in Medicina di Laboratorio

The Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM): a global cooperation to promote the standardisation of test results in Laboratory Medicine. The clinical laboratory practice is moving towards global standardisation of measurements in order to attain closer comparability of test results across space and time. This eliminates the need of method-specific reference intervals and decision levels allowing more correct use of evidencebased information in clinical practice. The application of metrological principles is currently considered the best tool to achieve measurement standardisation. This rely on the implementation of a reference measurement system, the essential components being the definition of the measurand with regards to the intended clinical use, the characterization of appropriate reference materials and methods, and the availability of accredited reference laboratories. The Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM), formed in 2002, is a significant part of this international movement towards international comparability, reliability, and equivalence of measurement results in clinical laboratories. One of the main objective of JCTLM is to identify, through a transparent review process, methods, materials, and laboratories that fulfil the definition of “higher order”. To fulfil this task, JCTLM is mainly guided by the appropriate ISO standards and high expertise of its members drawn from all international stakeholders interested in standardization activities. The JCTLM is a very good example of the dynamic nature of Laboratory Medicine, the inherent spirit of cooperation among professionals in this scientific field, and the international desire to strive for the highest level of clinical laboratory practice for a continuous improvement of healthcare.