Utilization of Multi-Institutional Laboratory Data as an Evidence Database: The Current Status and Future Tasks--Chairmen's Introductory Remarks

The construction of a database that integrates raw laboratory data and diagnostic information with patient backgrounds is an effective tool in the practice of Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine (EBLM). By exploring this type of database, it is possible to understand the diagnostic characteristics of the tests for a specific patient subgroup or condition. Although several studies have been carried out recently, these databases contain single-hospital data, and are thus limited regarding their external validity. In order to improve the reliability of the evidence, joint multi-institutional research is required. Therefore, the EBLM Committee of the Japanese Society of Clinical Laboratory Medicine arranged the symposium, entitled: "Utilization of multi-institutional laboratory data as an evidence database", which discusses current problems and solutions for the integration of multi-institutional laboratory data. In the symposium, five speakers presented on the following subjects: 1) Standardization of laboratory test coding (JLAC10); 2) The construction of a data warehouse in the hospital; 3) Multi-institutional study on long-term data changes; 4) Multi-institutional study on diagnostic accuracy; and 5) The construction of databases for the practice of EBLM and the need for the standardization/harmonization of laboratory data.