International Federation ofClinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine

serving laboratory medicine worldwide

AnnualReport 2016
i fcc@ if cc. org

Highlights of the Year• 12th IFCC General Conference, Madrid - Spain (19-21 March 2016)• 14th Asia Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine – APFCBCongress, Taipei - Taiwan (26-29 November 2016) (http://www.apfcbcongress2016.org/
index.html)• 15th IFCC-Roche Bergmeyer Conference, Eibsee - Germany (7-9 March) “Biomarkers in
the Diagnosis and monitoring of Cancer”• IFCC-Roche Specialized Conference, “Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease”, Mexico City,
Mexico (20 May 2016)• IFCC VLP programme (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/emd-special-projects/)• IFCC Speakers Bureau (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/speaker-s-bureau/• Roche/IFCC Travel Scholarship• Webinars and Distance Learning Modules (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/
webinars/ifcc-webinars/• e-Academy, open educational resources (http://eacademy.ifcc.org/• Experts Database (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/experts/• IFCC FEN - Foundation for Emerging Nations (http://www.ifccfoundation.org/)• Implement cooperation and agreements with IFCC Regional Federations

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Index
Message from IFCC President______________________________________________________ 4
Executive Board___________________________________________________________________ 5
Treasurer Report__________________________________________________________________ 6
Corporate Members______________________________________________________________ 11
Committee on Congresses and Conferences (C-CC)________________________________ 11
Scientific Division (SD)____________________________________________________________ 13
Educations and Management Division (EMD)_______________________________________ 45
Communications and Publications Division (CPD)___________________________________ 51
Task Forces______________________________________________________________________ 56
Federations______________________________________________________________________ 62• AFCC - African Federation of Clinical Chemistry__________________________________ 62• APFCB - Asia-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry andLaboratory Medicine and Laboratory Medicine____________________________________ 63• EFLM – European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine_________ 66• NAFCC - North American Federation Of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine ____ 70
Full Member Societies____________________________________________________________ 71
Affiliate Member Societies _______________________________________________________ 152

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Message from the President of IFCC
This is my report after the second year as IFCC President and I am very proud
to summarize what has been done during 2016.
During the year IFCC again increased its membership as welcomed two new
Affiliate Member Societies:“Society for Medical Technology & Laboratories-Jordan” and the “Nepalese
Association for Clinical Chemistry”. Collectively, there are 89 Full Members, 12
Affiliate members and 47 Corporates Members and IFCC represents >45,000
senior laboratory medicine specialists.
The important work of IFCC takes place in its Divisions, Committees, Task Forces and Working
Groups. During 2016 >320 experts volunteered to work on 47 IFCC projects, which cover awide range of clinical, scientific, educational and communication related topics. Full details may
be found in the IFCC website (www.ifcc.org) and reports may be found in this Annual Report.
IFCC also contributes expert input to a number of global organizations.
The IFCC Strategic PlanThe Executive Board for 2015-2017 has identified and agreed below strategic objectives for its
term of office. They follow the overall IFCC strategic plan and its principal objectives. They areintended to be in addition to the ongoing work of Division Executives. There are 33 strategic
actions which have been classified into the following four broad areas:
1. Supporting our membership.
2. Broadening our horizons.
3. Improving the quality of laboratory medicine.
4. Improving the effectiveness of IFCC.
The Executive Board worked effectively during 2016 and completed 28 actions. Five actions arestill in progress and should be completed next year.
I would like to outline some of the achievements in addition to those already reached in 2015:
 Evaluate the performance and the financial balance of Divisions through their mandatory
report Deeply promote the Foundation for Emerging Nations-FEN as a new income stream for
IFCC.
 Increase multi-languages educational material
 Perform a wide-ranging of SWOT analysis of IFCC, evaluate the findings and publish areport with recommendations of planned actions
 Further develop and promote “Shaping the Future of Laboratory Medicine”.
 Introduce and support the “Med Tech Ethical Code”
 Devise and introduce a strategy to increase the attractiveness of IFCC to Corporate
members.
 Establish a new high level project with WASPaLM that aims to promote the quality oflaboratory medicine through the support of the value of Laboratory Medicine.
 Increase the number of young scientists participating in the IFCC Functional Units.
 Consolidate the mentoring programme as a Special Project and promote its gradualexpansion.
 Open the call for nominations for the EB Treasurer and Secretary positions (2018-2020)
 Open the call for nominations for the “IFCC Medal for outstanding services”
 General Conference, Madrid March 19-21, 20164 IFCC Speakers Bureau (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/speaker-s-bureau/).
 Webinars and Distance Learning Modules (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/
webinars/).
 e-Academy, open educational resources (http://eacademy.ifcc.org/).
 Experts Database (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/experts/).
Over the last year we increased the activities focused to outline the clinical effectiveness oflaboratory medicine. For IFCC this has been exemplified by the work of many Task Forces andby the increasing collaboration with international clinical organizations. This trend will surely
gain further momentum in the years ahead for laboratory medicine is truly central to clinicaldecision making in healthcare.
Finances
The annual accounts for 2016 were audited in March 2017 and copies are available upon requestfrom the IFCC Office. IFCC had a financially difficult year but our finances are still sound as we
prepare for the future.
We prepared a clear budget for 2017, trying to contain the increasing expenses but with thegoal to improve as much as possible the activities of IFCC in favor of our Members.
Finally, I wish to thank, after my second year as President, the Executive Board and the Chairsof Divisions for their skill, wisdom, commitment and inspiration. Our excellent team in the IFCC
Office in Milan (Paola Bramati, Silvia Cardinale and Silvia Colli Lanzi) has again demonstrated
their dedication and professionalism in supporting our Members. Above all, however, IFCC
owes a great debt to many scientists and medical doctors who work on a voluntary basis giving
freely their time and expertise in the interest of improving the quality, delivery and relevanceof clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine worldwide. It is gratifying that we are seeing an
increase in the number of experts who want to work for IFCC. These people are the true strengthof IFCC as we move forward.
Maurizio Ferrari, President

EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB)The Executive Board held three meeting during 2016. The first one was held in Madrid on March
18 on occasion of the IFCC General Conference, successfully attended by 273 Participants, 71
National Societies, 14 Corporate Members, 33 Closed meetings and 13 Interactive sessions
were organized. A survey has been performed with 138 answers/273 participants; 41,3 %experienced the first time at the GC, the overall satisfaction was good and more than 95% of
the attendants considered the GC an important event for the IFCC.
The second EB meeting was held in Philadelphia in connection with the AACC Annual Meeting,on July 30-31; the third EB meeting was held in Taiwan in connection with the APFCB Congresson November 24-25.
In January 15-16 a strategic SWOT Meeting was held in Milan and EB agreed on the IFCC Vision:“We advance excellence in laboratory medicine for better healthcare worldwide, establishing aprioritization of targets, reviewing the Strategic Plan.
Besides two new members societies joined IFCC in 2016: Society for Medical Technology &Laboratories-Jordan and the Nepalese Association for Clinical Chemistry as Affiliate Members).
In 2016 we were glad to welcome KHB Shanghai Kehua Bioengineering as a new Corporate
Member.
A letter was sent to National Societies of the Full and Affiliate members requesting for theirannual report.More than fifty reports were received to be included in the IFCC Annual report52016 which is available on the IFCC Website (www.ifcc.org).
Thanks to the members of the EB for their support and friendship, thanks to all IFCC officers
and to the staff of Emmezeta-MZ Congressi in Milan (Paola Bramati, Silvia Cardinale and Silvia
Colli Lanzi).
Sergio Bernardini, Executive Board Secretary

TREASURER REPORT
During my second year of term as the IFCC treasurer, with the valuable help and assistance of
the IFCC office, the annual dues of Full, Affiliate and Corporate Members have been received,
the adherence of IFCC operating units to their allocated budgeted have been monitored anddetailed records of all transactions have been kept, reimbursements have been processed as
quick as possible after the receipt of the claims. Close collaboration has been achieved with the
IFCC investment bank, (LGT) to optimise the financial return on IFCC investments. The current
and historical performances of the portfolio mandate at the LGT Bank and the investment
charges for different investment models (basic fee with brokerage fees and all-in-fee models)
were presented to the IFCC Executive Board (EB). The performance of investments has notbeen good over the past couple of years due to the reflection of global stock markets. The
investment charges paid were too high especially in the periods when the returns on investment
low. The high investment charge fees tempted to look at alternative ways to manage investmentswith the result that a more competitive fee structure has been identified. It is this reduced fee
structure from another reputable investment bank (Credit Swiss) that has prompted IFCC EB tomove IFCC’s investment portfolio from the LGT Bank to CS. The annual accounts and financial
actions have been reviewed by an external independent auditor in order to finalize the actual
income and expenses at 31st December 2016.
COMPARISON OF 2016 PROPOSED BUDGET WITH ACTUALS AT 31st DECEMBER 2016:
IFCC NET INCOME
The 2016 budget was expected to be closed with a deficit of CHF -1.297.341. Instead, it wasclosed with a less negative balance of CHF -436.459 (Fig. 1).
IFCC NET INCOME 2016 - Budget to Actual at December 2016
Description
Proposal 2016
ACTUAL YTD
Proposal 2017
CHF
CHF
CHF
Total Income
580.000,00
1.006.430,00
1.053.500,00
Total Expenses
1.877.341,00
1.442.889,00
1.779.155,00
Net Income-1.297.341,00-436.459,00-725.655,00
Figure 1. 2016 proposed budget versus to actual at 31st December 2016.

TOTAL OPERATIONAL REVENUES AND FINANCIAL INCOME
The actual total operational revenues and financial income in 2016 were CHF 1.006.430 (Fig. 2).
The main revenue sources were in decreasing order in CHF: Corporate members’ contributions(CHF 290.081), SD Sponsorships (CHF 244.352), Full+Affiliate Members’ contributions (CHF
184.879), bank profits/interests (CHF 67.643), Royalties (CHF 68.616 ); EMD funds (CHF 46.314);
Conferences support (CHF 47.347); awards (CHF 31.971); scholarships (CHF 25.227).

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INCOME 2016
Ba nk profits/interests etc…

67.6430

EMD funds incl. VLP

0,00

Awards0,00

46.314,00
31.971,00
47.347,00

Conferences support/profit
SD Sponsorships

42.000,00
244.352,00

30.000,00
25.227,00
0,00
68.616,00
60.000,00

Scholarships
CLSI-IRMM-Elsevier royalties

290.081,00

Corporate Members
3.565,00
3.000,00

Affiliate Members
Full Members

270.000,00
175.000,00
181.314,00

0,00

50.000,00 100.000,00 150.000,00 200.000,00 250.000,00 300.000,00 350.000,00

Figure 2. INCOME at 31st December 2016: CHF 1.006.430.

IFCC MEMBERSHIP DUES
Below is a diagram showing the percentage of the major income of IFCC from the annual
dues of Full, Affiliate and Corporate Members collected during 2016 (Fig. 3). Thanks all themember Societies and Companies that supported IFCC throughout the years. Their continuous
contributions have made possible the accomplishment of numerous IFCC tasks and projects.
We also thank the members for their loyalty and attention in paying dues at the start of the year,
which helps the cash flow.
Dues
Full members
Corporate members
Affiliate members
Total

CHF
181.314290.0813.565
474.960

Figure 3. IFCC membership dues collected in 2016.

2016 OUTSTANDING DUES: FULL MEMBERS: CHF 15.785; CORPORATE MEMBERS: CHF
34 800IFCC MEETINGS INCOME PARTITIONIFCC meetings’ revenues are not a regular yearly income. The average yearly income of IFCC
arising from the meetings can be calculated dividing the revenue by the frequency of the event. The
yearly income of IFCC from the EuroMedLab2015 Paris and WorldLab 2014 Istanbul) subdivided
per year is shown in Fig.4.

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INCOMEPARTITION

YEAR AVAILABILITY

WordLab (Istanbul)
meeting 2014: ~€ 500.000

3 years~€ 167.000

EuroMedLab (Paris)
meeting 2015: ~€ 500.000

2 years~€ 250.000

Total: ~€ 1.000.000~€ 417.000 (~CHF 451.820)

Figure 4. IFCC annual meetings income from EML Paris and WL Istanbul.

The income of IFCC from the membership dues and annual meetings income (excluding
sponsorships and other revenues) in 2016:

CHF 474.960 (dues) + CHF 451.820 (annual meeting income) = CHF 926.780

SPONSORSHIPDivisions and some Functional Units raise some sponsorships funds that give them certain
flexibility in conducting projects. These sponsorships are used for the specific projects in duetime. The total amount of sponsorships available for specific projects in 2017 is CHF 504.500.
The total amount of sponsorship funds including awards, scholarships, VLP and TF-PLM surplus
available in 2017 are CHF 638.915 (Fig 5).
2016

2017

unused/carry over tonext year
CHF

Total

If received new
CHF

available in the current IFCC
account for these activities
CHF

Sponsorships (SD/CPD/EMD/TFs)

504.500

0504.500

Awards

31.97528.50060.475Scholarships

25.000025.000VLP

42.555042.555

Other (TF-PLM surplus ICPLM Istanbul)

6.385

0

6.385

610.41528.500638.915

Total

Figure 5. The Sponsorship amount carried from 2016 to 2017.

TOTAL OPERATIONAL COSTS AND FINANCIAL CHARGES
The actual total operational costs and financial charges in 2016 were CHF 1.442.889. (Fig 1
and Fig. 6). This figure includes the sponsorship expenses of CHF 268.362. The total amountof expenses except sponsorship in 2016 was CHF 1.174.527. CHF 10.000 was given to eachof the four regional federations upon receipt of their annual activity reports. The total amount of
the contribution of IFCC to International/Regional Organisations in 2016 was CHF 67.575. The
amount paid for BIPM-JCTLM Participation was CHF 67.147. Efforts of the Chairs of Divisions,
Committees/Working Groups and Task Forces to remain within their allocated budgets, evenbelow in 2016 have been appreciated.

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Figure 6: 2016 functional units’ expenses, compared to their allocated budget (CHF)

IFCC INVESTMENT AT LGT IN 2016
The adopted strategy of IFCC for its portfolio management, the actual value of the portfolio; thehistorical performances (Figure 7) and risk tolerances of different portfolios were discussed at
the IFCC EB.

Figure 7. Historic Performance of IFCC Portfolio (2010-2015)

IFCC had chosen the ”Growth” portfolio containing alternative investments among the five LGTBank portfolios till the end of 2015. The financial outcome for 2015 was disappointing, mainly
because of the loss of value of investments and the exchange rate between EUR and CHF. EUR
has lost approximately 15% against CHF in January 2015. The EB at his meeting in Quito in
September 2015, decided to move the portfolio from “growth” to “balanced”.
The performance net cumulative of the IFCC investments till November 2016 is shown in Fig.
8 as -0.29%.

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Figure 8. Performance of investments indicated as monthly return in 2016.

The IFCC Executive Board (EB) at its last meeting on November 24, 2016 evaluated carefully
the current and historical performances of its portfolio mandate at the LGT Bank and theinvestment charges for different investment models (basic fee with brokerage fees and all-infee models). IFCC EB understood that the performance of investments at the LGT Bank has
not been good over the past couple of years due to the reflection of global stock markets. IFCC
EB considered the investment charges too high especially in the periods when the returns on
investment are low. The high investment charge fees tempted IFCC EB to look at alternative
ways to manage investments with the result that a more competitive fee structure has been
identified. It is this reduced fee structure received by the treasurer from another reputable
investment bank (Credit Swiss) that has prompted the IFCC EB to move its investment portfolio
from the LGT Bank to Credit Swiss. Following the decision of the Executive Board, the portfolio
mandate with LGT was cancelled on December 14, 2016, a safekeeping mandate was given
to Credit Suisse, in the meantime the transfer of the securities from LGT to Credit Swiss wascompleted on January 12, 2017 (35 assets).
The important issues of the agreement with Credit Swiss are outlined as below:• Investment strategy: Income oriented• Risk Profile: Moderate• Risk Budget: Moderate• Reporting currency: CHF (with investments in three currencies: CHF, EUR, USD)
• Ticket fee model: 0.20% for the safekeeping fee (no investment fee, only 0.20% p.a. forthe safekeeping fee when invested in CS Portfolios). Plus brokerage fees.
EXPECTED CONSEQUENCES:• The risk profile of the portfolio at Credit Swiss (Moderate) is lower that the risk profile atthe LGT Bank (Balanced in 2016 and Growth in 2015).
• Less risk means that there will be fewer transactions and less brokerage fees.
• The number of transactions will be less leading to the less time and work spent by the
IFCC Auditor to follow and control the transactions of the previous year.
• The total amount of the investment fees to be paid to the Credit Swiss is expected to beless than paid to the LGT.

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FUTURE FORECASTS• Financial difficulties are anticipated in 2017 due to shortage of income since the soleincome of IFCC will be confined to the dues to be collected.
• The meeting incomes from Athens and Durban will be available 6 months after thesemeetings (earliest end of 2017, most probably in 2018).
• In 2017, IFCC activities and meetings can be kept as planned spending all the cash
available at Credit Swiss.
• There might be a need to transfer the missing amount from the capital invested at Credit Swiss.
Tomris Ozben, Treasurer

CORPORATE MEMBERS
Rolf Hinzmann, MD, PhD, Clinical Pathologist (Roche)
Corporate Representative at IFCC Executive Board (1st term 2015-2017)
Let me start with a big thank you to the Corporate Members for their significant contributions
to IFCC activities. By the end of 2016 the total number of IFCC’s Corporate Members was 47,
providing the IFCC with annual fees of CHF 290.000 which was around 24% of IFCC’s total
annual income. In addition, Corporate Members continued sponsoring of IFCC conferences,
workgroups, scientific awards, e-learning programs and travel scholarships. In 2016 we were
glad to welcome KHB Shanghai Kehua Bioengineering as a new Corporate Member while
regrettably three companies left IFCC: Wiener Lab, Biocrates Life Sciences, and Millipore.
In January 2016 I encouraged IFCC to conduct an analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, ofopportunities and threats (SWOT). The results of the SWOT analysis were presented at theGeneral Conference in Madrid in April 2016 where we had - for the first time at a General
Conference - a session fully organized by the IVD industry. During this session I invited alldelegates to submit proposals how IFCC could become more attractive for corporate members.
We received around a hundred proposals which were later classified, consolidated, discussed
by the IFCC Executive Board, and incorporated into IFCC’s Strategic Action Plan:• Extend the role of Corporate Members within IFCC and improve communication.
• Increase public awareness for the medical value provided by diagnostic lab tests.
• Together with clinical societies, support medical claims leading to reimbursement.
• Emphasize the importance of quality and provide expertise in standardization.
• Align more with others (CLSI, FDA, clinical societies, etc.) to avoid inconsistency andduplication of guidelines and recommendations.
• Continue to provide opportunities for exhibitions, industry symposia and networking withlab professionals during high-level academic conferences, thereby following the rules
defined by the IVD industry in the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice.
• Pursue the opportunities of data analytics in laboratory diagnostics.
The EuroMedLab in Barcelona will be he first conference where the transition period of the
MedTech Europe Code has ended and IVD industry can no longer sponsor delegates or speakers
to attend conferences. For more information please check out the MedTech Europe website.
Rolf Hinzmann, Corporate Members Representative

COMMITTEE ON CONGRESSES AND CONFERENCES (C-CC)
The 33rd meeting of the IFCC Executive Committee on Congresses and Conferences (C-CC)
was held on occasion of the AACC Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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International Congresses of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (ICCCLM);
WorldLab Congresses: 23rd IFCC WorldLab 2017 Durban, South Africa (22-25 October
2017 - http://www.durban2017.org/)
Congress Chair: Prof RT Erasmus; Scientific Chair: Prof TS Pillay;
24th IFCC WorldLab 2020 Seoul, South Korea (24-28 May 2020 - http://www.ifcc2020.org)
Congress President: Prof. Won-Ki Min; Chair of the Organizing Committee: Prof. Junghan Song T
IFCC Regional Congresses of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
APFCB 2016 Congress - Taipei, Taiwan (November 26-29, 2016 - http://www.apfcbcongress2016.
org/)
The 14th APFCB Congress was held at Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), Taipei,
Taiwan.
Chairman is Woei-horng Fang; Executive Secretary - Jui-Ching Wu; Scientific Chair - Shu-Chu
Shiesh.
APFCB 2019 Congress – Jaipur, India (November 17-20, 2019 - http://www.apfcbcongress2019.
org/)
Congress Chair: Prof. Praveen Sharma
EuroMedLab Congress 2017 – Athens, Greece (11-15 June, 2017 - http://www.athens2017.
org/)
22nd IFCC-EFLM EuroMedLab Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine- 25th Balkan Clinical Laboratory Federation Meeting and 15th National Congress of GSCC-CB
Congress Chair: Prof. Alexander Haliassos President of the Congress is Dr. Alexander Haliassos.
T23rd EuroMedLab Congress 2019 – Barcelona, Spain (19-23 May, 2019)
Congress Chair: Dra. Imma Caballé
COLABIOCLI 2017 Congress – XXIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Bioquímica Clinica –Punta del Este, Uruguay (17-20 September, 2017). Organization on going
Congress Chairs: Dra. Queiruga and Dra. Stella Raymondo
AFCC Congress
Congress Chair: Prof. Vanessa Steenkamp
The 5th Congress of the AFCC will be a joint Congress with WorldLab 2017 in Durban, South
Africa.
IFCC Specialized Conferences
15th Roche Bergmeyer Conference – Eibsee, Germany (7-9 March 2016)
Theme of the 15th Bergmeyer Conference was: “Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Monitoringof Cancer””. The Proceedings of the Conference were published in Scand J Clin Lab Invest.
(http://www/tandfonline.com/toc/iclb20/76/sup245).
IFCC Specialized Conference “Biomarkers in Alzheimer Disease”, Mexico City, Mexico(May 20th, 2016), supported by ROCHE.
The conference was held at the “Camino Real Hotel Polanco”, with the support of ROCHE.
Chairs of the Organizing Committee were Prof. Sergio Bernardini and Dr. Rosa Sierra-Amor.
IFCC General Conference
The event was held in Madrid, Spain at the Auditorium Marriott Hotel, from March 19th – 21st,2016. Closed meetings of IFCC functional units were planned before the conference on March
17th-18.
The primary goal of the Conference was to bring together IFCC Functional Units, as well as friends
and partners from all around the world in an open dialogue under one roof to discuss the issues Lab

12

Medicine is facing, and to develop possible strategies to become more effective in the on-goingdevelopment of our profession.mThere were 273 participants and 59 accompanying persons from
71 national societies plus 14 representatives from industry. In addition of the board session, theevent featured 18 plenary conferences, 12 training seminars, 3 round tables, numerous breakout
discussions and networking opportunities covering various aspects of the IFCC strategic plan,and the progress and outcomes achieved by the IFCC functional units led by the divisions andthe executive board. A survey was conducted to better understand the scientific and educational
needs and aspirations of the full members and partners and to provide feedback on accumulated
experience. There were 138 responses and the overall satisfaction rate was over 95%.
Congresses with IFCC Auspices: 70 events
A significant achievement of the C-CC in 2016 has been the development of several new
guideline documents and the revision of several existing guidelines.These are the guideline
documents posted in the C-CC section of the IFCC website.
Guideline for Compliance with Applicable Codes of Ethical Business Practice
One of the most significant activities of the C-CC in 2016 has been the development of adocument entitled IFCC Guidelines for Compliance with Applicable Codes of Ethical Business
Practice. The requirement for these Guidelines is based on the introduction of the MedTech
Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice. This code is applicable to the in vitro diagnostics
industry and third party educational event organizers such as the IFCC and national societies.
Although not specifically listed, the Guidelines also indicate the IFCC requirement for compliancewith similar site-specific applicable codes of ethical business practice. Posting of this document
to the C-CC section of the IFCC website is pending approval of the IFCC Executive.
Following documents have been revised to reflect the requirement for compliance withapplicable code of ethical business practice; documents have been posted in the C-CC sectionof the IFCC website.
1) Guidelines and Application Form for IFCC Auspices2) Congress Guidelines and Application Forms for WorldLab (ICCCLM) and EuroMedLab3) Guidelines for Development of the Scientific Program for WorldLab (ICCCLM) andEuroMedLab4) Guidelines for a Satellite Meeting of an IFCC Sponsored Congress or Conference
Both document 3 and 4 are officially new documents, developed in collaboration with MZ
Congressi, based on a document that were initially developed by the COC for EuroMedLab
Milano 2013 and subsequently used for EuroMedLab 2015 and 2017.
James Wesenberg, C-CC ChairSCIENTIFIC DIVISION (SD)

During 2016, the following members served on the SD Executive Committee: Ian Young (UK)
(Chair), Philippe Gillery (FR) (Vice-Chair), Joseph Passarelli (US) (Secretary), Giampaolo Merlini(IT), Christa Cobbaert (NL), Tsutomu Nobori (JP) (Members) and James Pierson-Perry (US)(Corporate Representative). Four representatives of International Organizations are invited toattend the SD meetings as consultants: Gary Myers (JCTLM), Heinz Schimmel (IRMM) David
Bunk (NIST) and Chris Burns (NIBSC). Two meetings were held during 2016: March 18 (full day),20 & 21 (partial) (Madrid, ES, in conjunction with the General Conference) and November 25-26(Taipei, TW).
Relationship with International Organizations
The SD continues to pursue the expansion of its activities to partner with internationalorganizations to promote the implementation of the concept of traceability in laboratory medicine
13and the implementation of reference measurement systems.
Joint Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM)
The JCTLM continues its work which is available for review on its database at www.bipm.org/
jctlm.
Governance:• The revised text of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between the BIPM, IFCC and ILAC
was signed in April 2016 by the three Sponsoring Organizations, and is published on the
JCTLM website.
• The Secretariat contacted the sponsoring organizations, the IFCC, the ILAC and the BIPM
for nominations of JCTLM Chairperson and Secretariat.
• The JCTLM Executive approved the re-appointment of Dr. Myers as Chairperson for asecond two-year term, and the BIPM’s continued role as Secretariat for the JCTLM.
• Prof. Lothar Siekmann informed the Executive Committee of his retirement from the postof Vice-Chair of the Database WG, and as member of the JCTLM Review Team for Drugs,
Metabolites and Substrates and Non-Peptide Hormones. The Executive Committee
thanked Prof. Siekmann for his important contribution to the establishment of the JCTLM
and great work in support of the JCTLM from its start and for his continued participation
as a member in the JCTLM Review Teams.
• The procedure for the selection and appointment of the Working Group Chairs forrenewable two year periods was followed.The Executive re-appointed Dr Karen Phinneyas Vice-Chair of the Database WG as Chair of the Vitamins, Non-Electrolytes Metals,
and Electrolytes and blood gases Review Teams and further agreed to re-elect Dr Heinz
Schimmel as Vice-Chair of the Database WG. The Committee also appointed Dr Qinde
Liu as Vice-Chair of the Database WG (covering the Drugs, Metabolites and Substrates,
and Non-Peptide Hormones Review Teams) as replacement for Prof Siekmann.
• The Executive re-appointed Dr Graham Beastall as Chair the TEP WG.

JCTLM Membership:• The JCTLM Executive Committee is investigating establishing liaison with otherinternational organizations in different laboratory medicine disciplines as potential future
members of the JCTLM Executive Committee. As a first step JCTLM has reached out tothe International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH). Dr Beastall attended
the General Assembly of the ICSH on 26 October 2016 where he was invited to givea presentation introducing the JCTLM and traceability in laboratory medicine and gave
examples of on-going standardization projects/ network for HbA1c, HBA2, and proteins
containing metals. Dr. Beastall indicated that his presentation had been well received by
the participants who were representatives from EQAS providers and Diagnostic industry.
Applications:• The Secretariat produced a leaflet for introducing JCTLM to potential JCTLM Member
Organizations which was published on the BIPM JCTLM website and had been
distributed by email to BIPM’s JCTLM contact list. As a result, eight organizations applied
for JCTLM Membership with seven seeking JCTLM Stakeholder membership, and one
JCTLM Regional and National membership. The Committee reviewed these applications
and accepted the application of the Korean Society of Clinical Chemistry (KSCC) fromSouth Korea for JCTLM Regional and National Membership and the seven remaining
applications for JCTLM Stakeholder Membership:o Quik S.A.S. “Quality is the Key” (QUIK) from Colombia which was a private laboratoryorganization;o ECAT Foundation from The Netherlands which was a EQAS provider;14

o Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KEQAS) from South Korea
which was a EQAS provider,o Wales External Quality Assessment Scheme (WEQAS) from United Kingdom which
was a EQAS provider;o Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University(Ref4U), Belgium which was a Reference Laboratory having service listed by JCTLM;
o Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine (GPHCM) from China which wasa Reference Laboratory having service listed by JCTLM;o Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from China which was a Reference Laboratory
having service listed by JCTLM

JCTLM WG on Traceability Education and Promotion:• The Working Group on Traceability Education and Promotion has the following 8 work
stream projects underway:
1. Definitions – This project entails producing a list of the key terms relevant to traceability
in laboratory medicine and their n associated formal VIM 3 definitions (when applicable).
2. Mini-presentations – This project entails producing a series of about 10 presentations
each of 5-8 slides that addresses a specific topic related to a scientific concept that ispart of traceability in laboratory medicine.
3. Importance of TLM to IVD manufacturers – This project involves raising awareness of
JCTLM stakeholder membership among IVD manufacturers.
4. Importance of TLM to Patients and the Public – The initial work of the group has been
to define the target audience to raise awareness of TLM possibly through “Lab Tests
Online” and social media.
5. Global significance of TLM – An opinion paper titled, “Traceability in laboratory
medicine: a global driver for accurate results for patient care” has been written andsubmitted to Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
6. Tools for promoting TLM – This project plans to develop a series of educational tools
designed to promote the importance of TLM.
7. Involving TLM in meetings – This project has two main aspects:
a. Raising the profile of TLM in national and international scientific meetingsb. Organizing the JCTLM Members and Stakeholders meeting
8. WG-TEP website - The new JCTLM website has been launched at www.jctlm.org. This
website is aimed at non-specialists in traceability and is intended to deliver news andeducational resources. In that context it is complementary to the existing BIPM/JCTLM
website and the JCTLM database.

JCTLM Database:• The current status of the database as of December 2016 is as follows:• 293 certified reference materials (CRMs) amongst which 33 are in List II (i.e. Reference
Materials value assigned using an internationally agreed protocol), and 3 are in List III (i.e.
Reference Materials for nominal properties),• 180 reference measurement methods covering 80 analytes, and• 146 reference measurement services covering 39 analytes. These services were deliveredby 15 reference laboratories accredited for compliance against ISO 15195 and IEC/ISO
17025 as Calibration laboratories, and by two National Metrology Institutes (NMIs).
• In addition, the database web system was updated to add an auto-completion functionin the analyte key word search form which provided a better guidance on the analyte
present in the JCTLM Database.
• The database system was upgraded to allow it to operate on the Windows 2012/15

SQL Server 2012 platform to ensure compatibility with BIPM environment hosting theapplication.
Meetings under the auspices of JCTLM:• The National Institute of Metrology, China and the BIPM organized and convened aworkshop on ‘Protein and Peptide Therapeutics and Diagnostics: Research and Quality
Assurance’, that was held on 1-4 June 2016, in Chengdu China under the auspices of the
JCTLM. More than 700 scientists attended the workshop.
• 10th International Scientific Meeting of the Center of Metrological Traceability in Laboratory
Medicine (CIRME) “Ten years after” Milan (Italy), 17-18 November 2016.
• CALILAB (IX Congress for Quality in Laboratory Medicine in Argentina), Buenos Aires(Argentina), 30 November -02 December 2016.
Miscellaneous Activities:
Dr. Graham Jones and Mr. Craig Jackson published the following review on JCTLM. Jones
GRD and Jackson C. The Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM) – its
history and operation. Clinica Chimica Acta 2016;453:86-94.
Joint Committee for Guide in Metrology (JCGM)
Working Group 1 (GUM):WG1 held a meeting at the Bureau of International Weights andMeasures (BIPM), Sèvres, May 30 – June 3, 2016.Since the previous meeting, the BIPM Director
wrote to the NMIs and MOs that responded to the request for feedback on the draft revision of
the GUM (JCGM 100) advising that each of the thousand plus comments they had submitted
will receive a response from the working group. Until this task is complete, further developmentof options for overhauling the style and technical content of the revised GUM will be deferred.
Working Group 2 (VIM):WG2 has focused on developing a Draft Outline of the fourth editionof the VIM (VIM4) with completion of the Draft Outline expected by the end of 2016. The
scope of the VIM4 is being expanded from the VIM3 to encompass nominal properties ina significantly more comprehensive manner.At the moment, 58 new entries for inclusion
into the VIM4, which are related to nominal properties, are being evaluated by WG2.A key
principle for the VIM4 is to try to incorporate simplified language, similar to that used inthe ‘VIM Definitions with Informative Annotations’.WG2 is considering changing the nameof the VIM4, to the ‘International Vocabulary of Metrology 4th Edition (VIM)’, from the VIM3‘International vocabulary of metrology – Basic and general concepts and associated terms(VIM) 3rd edition’. The motivation was to remove ‘concepts’ from the title, which was a causeof some confusion. A draft document will be available by the end of 2018 to circulate to themember organizations for comment.
• Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM)
Close collaboration with IRMM continues through a number of joint ventures involving
SD Committees and Working Groups. The organization “IRMM” is now referred to as the
Joint Research Center (JRC).Within the JRC there are five Directorates.Directorate F isfocused on Reference Materials.
• Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) (formerly NCCLS)
An updated list of joint CLSI/IFCC documents is available on the IFCC web site at: http://
www.ifcc.org/index.asp?cat=Publications&scat=CLSI_(Clin_Lab_Stand_Inst)_-_IFCC_
Joint_Projects&rif=6&dove=1.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)NIST continues to undertake a large number of projects, many of which are of considerable
interest to IFCC. The NIST website (www.nist.gov) can provide information on materials
and services available today.

16National Institute of BiologicalStandardsandControl (NIBSC)NIBSC, previously part of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), is now a new Centre of theMedicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alongside the Clinical PracticeResearch Datalink (CPRD). The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health,
UK.C. Burns serves as an Observer to the SD.

European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
The EFLM Science Committee and SD leadership agreed there should be close liaison andcommunication between the two groups. The purpose is to share information on activities andlook for areas of mutual interest. It was agreed the leadership of the SD and the EFLM Science
Committee should meet formally once per year, preferably at a major conference.Professor Eric
Kilpatrick is the EFLM SC chair.The Science Committee is responsible for scientific matterswithin EFLM and projects which further the scientific development of EFLM.Activities of theCommittee particularly focus on promotion of research that translates the scientific results ofclinical chemistry and laboratory medicine to clinical applications and improves patient outcomesthrough the appropriate use and interpretation of laboratory data in clinical practice.Within the
EFLM SC there are working groups on cardiac biomarkers, biological variation, test evaluation,
personalized laboratory medicine and a number of others but the general consensus of the SD
are that these activities do not overlap with the IFCC SD.The EFLM SC has more of a focus
to promote and improve science through education within the field of clinical chemistry andlaboratory medicine.Results of the Committee’s work are actively disseminated at conferences
and workshops, published in scientific journals (e.g. CCLM) and available on the EFLM web
site.
World Health Organization (WHO)WHO meetings occur each Fall.Philippe Gillery attends and participates as the liaison fromthe SD.PG participated in the World Health Organization Expert Committee on BiologicalStandardization (ECBS) meeting as IFCC-SD representative in Geneva (CH) from October 16th
to 18th, 2016. There were relatively few topics relevant to the SD. The SD decided that there
were no new projects or collaborations to consider.
Congresses (WorldLab, Regional and other congresses):
IFCC General Conference, Madrid, Spain, March 18 -21, 2016
SD Executive Summary – I. Young
Standardization of laboratory tests - why it is needed – G. BeastallStandardization of laboratory tests - how to do it – G. Miller
Standardization - the example of thyroid function tests – L. Thienpont
Discussion
14th Asia-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine Congress,
Taipei, Taiwan, November 26-29, 2016
Standardization as a Global Activity:
1. International co-ordination of standardization activities.
- Prof Ian Young, Belfast, UK (also acted as chair)
2. Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests - changes are coming- Prof Linda Thienpont, Ghent, Belgium was originally invited but presentation made byProf Graham Beastall, UK
3. Measurement and clinical utility of CSF proteins- Prof Kaj Blennow, Gothenburg, Sweden

17

Congresses with IFCC Auspices
ROCHE BERGMEYER
The Roche Bergmeyer Conference was held on March 7-9, 2016. The conference topic was
Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Cancer.
Listed on web pages for information only (http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-congresses-andconferences/)
Activities of Committees and Working Groups
The Committees (Cs), which are theme-oriented, carry out much of the scientific andprofessional activities of the SD. Their work is often in close collaboration with otherinternational organizations. For more specific tasks, the activities are usually accomplishedthrough Working Groups (WGs).
COMMITTEES
C-Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU), Chair: Robert Flatman
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-NPU terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. To continuously provide advice for the management, updating andpublishing of the NPU terminology
Accomplishments include:• Applications for formal National Release Centre status from both Norway and Sweden
received, accepted and formalized.These formal agreements are an important
accomplishment from the conception and implementation of the NPU Steering Committee,
and help clarify the governance relationships between IFCC, IUPAC and major international
NPU users.
• Following on from 2015 planning work, the NPU Steering Committee website was finalized(http://www.npu-terminology.org). The website is searchable for NPU terms, explains thefunctions of the Steering Committee, and has lists news and publications relevant to the
NPU terminology.
• Survey of IFCC members on the use of the NPU terminology late 2015 co-ordinated by
the IFCC office
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. The committee has been most thankful for the significant time invested in the NPU by
Graham Beastall and Ian Young.With the election of new officers in 2017 there will bea transition period as the NPU committee does our best to help explain challenges andpriorities.
Term of Reference 2. To make recommendations on NPU for reporting clinical laboratory datathat conform to or adapt current standards of authoritative organizations and that will improvetheir utilization for health care.
Accomplishments include:
1. Project on Molecular Biology terms for the NPU terminology continues, chaired by Ulla
Magdal Petersen.
2. n-going project for better definition of poorly identified NPU terms - Project for establishingdefinitions for non-referenced terms in the NPU terminology ongoing (IUPAC Project
2010-035-700) (Chair: Helle Moller Johannessen).Maintenance work continues to be very
slow as resourced with volunteer time and labour from the NPU Scientific committee.
3. NPU Steering Committee continues to administer and update a strategic plan.

18

List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Proposed new IUPAC sponsored project – Online NPU Dynamic Manual – still in approvaland early planning stages (Chaired by Young Bae Lee Hansen).Aim to create an update todate and informative summary of the NPU terminology for new and existing users.
2. Continue to strengthen NPU Steering Committee with emphasis on strategic goals,
funding and distribution of the NPU terminology
3. Continue to pursue relationship with SNOMED-CT/IHTSDO.
4. Continue to improve and add content to NPU Steering Committee website.
Term of Reference 3. To provide a connection with other organizations concerned with NPU,
such as the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the European Committee forStandardization (CEN) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and, byextension, clinical laboratory sciences societies, such as the International Union of Pure andApplied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the in vitro diagnostics industry, to ensure that problems
encountered by health care professionals in the area of NPU are considered by thoseorganizations.
Accomplishments include:
1. IUPAC representation continues with Helle Johannessen, Urban Forsum continuing aselected representatives.Colin Humphries from IUPAC Exec has continued to attend the
majority of Steering Committee meetings and teleconferences
2. Gunnar Nordin and Georges Férard continue to contribute to BIPM WG2 and attend
meetings
3. Formalising of the National Release Centre status for Norway and Sweden has beena challenge and opportunity for the Danish Release Centre (significant time invested
supporting Norway and assisting with education and customisation)
4. Danial Karlsson and Colin Humphries (IUPAC) attended IHTSDO meeting late 2016.
IHTSDO does not see NPU as a priority currently.Alternative proposal that the NPU
terminology could exist within SNOMED-CT discussed briefly, but there would need to be
substantial further investigation on benefits or risks for any work on this to proceed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Continue NPU member representation at major metrology working group meetings
2. Continue communications with IHTSDO/SNOMED-CT
3. Manage key NPU stakeholder imperatives via on-going NPU Steering Committee meetings– most by teleconference, but also aim for one face to face meeting each year (usually
Copenhagen)Term of Reference 4. To act as a consultant group on NPU in clinical chemistry and, by extension,in the rest of clinical laboratory sciences to international scientific panels, regional and national
clinical laboratory sciences organizations, editors of scientific journals, manufacturers of clinicallaboratory instrumentation and products, and to individual clinical laboratory professionals andother health care professionals.
Accomplishments include: Individual NPU members continue to be active with their societies, particularly in theinformatics and terminology arenas
 NPU members from Denmark (Ulla Magdal Petersen, Helle Johannessen), Norway (KarinToska) and Sweden (Gunnar Nordin) active as key members of their respective national
NPU release centres (NRCs)
 New IFCC NPU committee member from the Danish Health Data Authority – Young Bae
Lee Hansen

19 Completion of the IUPAC project “Vocabulary on nominal property, nominal examination,and related concepts for clinical laboratory sciences (see publications below for final
recommendations paper details)
 Scientific publications as per below
 Chair (RF) part of the Australian informatics harmonization project sponsored by AustralianGovernment - RCPA Pathology Information, Terminology and Units Standardization Project(PITUS) on both Steering Committee and Working Group 2
 Revision of the IUPAC book “The Silver Book” completed.Substantial input from past/
consultant NPU members Georges Ferard, Rene Dybkaer, Xavier Fuentes-Arderiu
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference Continuation of activities described above (exception Silver Book 2 revision – now
complete)
C-Molecular Diagnostics (C-MD), Chair: Deborah Payne
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-MD’s terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. Foster dynamic exchanges between IFCC and molecular diagnostic
laboratories and industry.
Accomplishments Include:
1. Helen Parkes provided presentation on standardization of reference materials.
2. Updated website on EQA programs with input from various EQA suppliers.
3. Payne and Ahmad-Nejad are liaison members of the cancer working group and Helen
Parkes as consultant.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Update C-MD website.
2. Design survey monkey based surveys to determine the needs of the molecular diagnostic
area.
3. Request from SD that laboratories with expertise in developing reference materials be
eligible for inclusion in the network.
Term of Reference 2. Produce guidelines on clinical validation of tests, conduct and report onmolecular diagnostic tests.
Accomplishments Include:
One manuscript published (see Publications section)
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Develop questionnaire for standardized reporting template.
2. Send out survey to C-MD members and network laboratories.
3. Sending survey out to more laboratories to improve coverage and data capture.
Term of Reference 3. Provide reference materials; and create a network of locus-specific IFCC
Molecular Diagnostics Centers.
Accomplishments Include:
1. Expanded Network to a total of 17 laboratories including the pre-existing expert
laboratories. Seven laboratories are outside Europe, Canada, and the USA.
2. Identified candidate Expert Laboratories and reviewing applications of 10 laboratories
3. Engaged C-MD members to review articles for CCLM

20

List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Expand expert laboratories
2. Solicit more activity through the use of a survey monkey
Additional Information
The C-MD aims to gain experience with utilizing survey tools to engage the molecular diagnostic
community. None of our committee members have experience with these electronic tools is
working through the process of learning how best to phrase questions and when to request
specific answers versus free style responses.A limited test survey among the full members
illustrated the challenge of defining clear questions. The C-MD expects that surveys will be a
powerful tool to generate discussions on standardization and quality assurance in moleculardiagnostics. Expanding the number of expert laboratories is a top priority.Several laboratories
have been identified and will be invited in 2017. Some current expert laboratories have a muchhigher activity level than other expert laboratories.Encouraging and engaging lower activity
expert laboratories would benefit the Centers of Excellence. A goal of the C-MD committee isto capture topics of interest for network and expert laboratories.The C-MD envisions that theuse of the survey tool such as survey monkey will help identify quality needs and other needsof the molecular diagnostic community.
C-Reference Systems for Enzymes (C-RSE), Chair: Ferruccio Ceriotti
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-RSE terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. IFCC Enzyme Reference Measurement Procedures: New 37°C IFCC
enzyme reference procedures are being developed on the basis of the existing 30oC IFCC.
Accomplishments include:
Development of a reference measurement procedure for Pancreatic Lipase: a series ofexperiments were performed at the beginning of the year to ameliorate the method transferability,
unfortunately with limited success. Some important weak points were identified and theJapanese group did further work to try overcoming them. A new formulation of the reagent has
been proposed and tested with promising results in Germany, experiments in Italy are in place.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
If the experiments in Italy provide acceptable results a new inter-laboratories experiment will be
programmed and a method comparison with routine methods will be performed.The evaluationof a reference method for pancreatic amylase will then be initiated.
Terms of Reference 2.
Network of Enzyme Reference Laboratories: Coordination of a group of reference laboratories
from hospitals, academy and industry, which are able to perform adequate measurements
according to a list of stated requirements.
Accomplishments Include: Not accomplished.
Terms of Reference 3
Enzyme Reference Materials: Evaluate reference materials provided by IRMM within the networkof reference laboratories prior to certification. The materials are available as primary referencematerials for calibration and/or validation of lower order procedures for the measurement of thecatalytic concentration of enzymes.
Accomplishments include:
A recertification campaign for a primary reference material for LD, CK and ALT by the network21

in cooperation with IRMM was completed last year. The results were elaborated by JRC-ERM
and the new materials are now available.
A commutability evaluation of candidate Reference materials for amylase has been organized
and will be concluded within the end of 2016.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Evaluation of the results of the Amylase commutability experiment.
C-RSE concludes its course at the end of 2016.
It will continue as WG “Development of reference methods for pancreatic enzymes” with thefollowing terms of reference:• Development of a reference measurement procedure for pancreatic lipase• Development of a reference measurement procedure for pancreatic amylase
The appointed Chair is Denis Grote-Koska
A meeting during the 2017 EuroMedLab congress in Athens has been planned.
C-Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM), Chair: Lothar Siekmann
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-TLM terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. To Support activities regarding Traceability in Laboratory Medicine,permitting IFCC to continue its international role in this area and providing an operating link
between the SD and the WGs of the Joint Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine(JCTLM), concerning identification of reference measurement procedures, reference materials
and reference laboratories.
Accomplishments include:
The C-TLM supports the JCTLM which has been established approximately 13 years ago by
the IFCC, the BIPM, and the ILAC. All details are available on the JCTLM website: www.bipm.
org/jctlm/. The JCTLM Working Group data base received nominations for listing of reference
measurement procedures, reference materials and reference measurement services every
year. These are evaluated by Review Teams which are responsible for different groups ofmeasurands (e.g. metabolites & substrates, electrolytes, hormones, therapeutic drugs, etc.).
The review teams report to the Data Base working group. Based on the proposals of thereview teams and the working group chairs, the JCTLM Executive decided in its meeting on
December 6 - 5, 2016 on the listing of reference materials, methods and services.
a) Reference materials
Reference materials are usually proposed by National Metrology Institutes. The submitted
documentation is first checked by the review teams according to the requirements laid
down in ISO 15194.
b) Reference measurement procedures
The documentation submitted for listing of reference measurement procedures is checkedby the review teams according to the requirements described in ISO 15193.
c) Reference measurement services
Applications of a reference laboratory for each particular measurand are checked by thereview teams according to following requirements:- The applied reference measurement procedure should be published and it should meetthe requirement of ISO 15193 and accordingly listed by the JCTLM.
- The laboratory must demonstrate accreditation as reference/calibration laboratory inlaboratory medicine according to ISO 15195 and ISO 17025.
- The laboratory must participate in a collaborative survey (RELA) at least once per year
in the respective group of measurands and for each individual measurand at least oncein a time frame of three years.

22

JCTLM Working Group 2 conducted its first meeting in December 2015. The working groupdeals with the project of “Education and Promotion”.Anja Kessler acts as member of thisworking group.
Planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
The C-TLM will continue to support the JCTLM activities.
Term of Reference 2. Establish an External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for referencelaboratories and act as an advisory committee.
Accomplishments include:
IFCC External Quality Assessment for Reference Laboratories (Anja Kessler):
RELA ring trials are currently provided for 38 measurands. The results of RELA 2014 arepublished on the website (www.dgkl-rfb.de:81) in July 2015. 59 laboratories participated in
RELA2014 and the organizer received 351 results from these laboratories. LDL-cholesterol,
HDL-cholesterol, and free Thyroxine were offered as measurands for the first time. For thesemeasurands lyophilized control materials are available. The organizer received 2 results for
HDL-cholesterol and none for free thyroxine and LDL-cholesterol. The reason why there wereno results for LDL-cholesterol is that the control materials did not behave like patient samples.
The formation of boundary layers did not take place, so that a separation of fractions was
not possible. Therefore, additional pre-investigations have to be performed in future to ensurethat the control material used is commutable. Only then the survey for LDL-cholesterol will beoffered again.
The shipment of samples to different provinces of China was difficult in the past due to theregulations of customs. Therefore, now the organizer sends out several requested documents
in advance to overcome the delay at the customs offices.
For CK, a large dispersion of the results was observed. The samples seem to be very sensitive
with regard to light and temperature. The participants should be advised to pay attention tothese aspects.
Annotation: Every year in each group of measurands a “key measurand” is announced in orderto encourage laboratories to select this measurand in case that they are not able to provide
results for all measurands in that group. According to the experience during recent years, thisprocedure results in a relative large number of results for the key measurand providing a valid
basis for comparison. The key measurands for RELA 2015 are total cholesterol, magnesium,
ALT, HbA1c, total protein, testosterone, digoxin, total triiodothyronine, and 25-OH-Vitamin D3.
The results of the RELA 2015 were already published on the website (www.dgkl-rfb.de:81) in
July 2016 and will be reported to the C-TLM at its next meeting in Athens in June 2017.
Planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
The RELA ring trial system will continue its activities to provide a basis for comparison ofreference laboratory results and try to collaborate with the CCQM key comparisons of the
OAWG whenever possible. The most recent collaborative survey (RELA2016) has been started
in October 2016. Results will be available in July 2017.
Term of Reference 3.Promote the establishment and maintenance of IFCC reference laboratory
networks for clinically relevant measurands.
Accomplishments include:
HbA1c Network (Cas Weykamp):
Like in previous years the Network organized 2 inter-comparison studies with participation of
all approved and candidate network laboratories as well as all laboratories of the designatedcomparison method networks in the US, Japan and Sweden, respectively. This to allow a)
23

IFCC network laboratories to demonstrate their performance and keep their approval status,b) candidate laboratories to gain the approval status, and c) to confirm the master equations
between the network laboratories.All IFCC network laboratories met the quality criteria andkept their status of approval. The BCCL (Beijing Center Clinical Laboratory) gained the statusof approved network laboratory. Lectures to promote the IFCC Reference system were given in
India, Atlanta, Paris, and Quito.A meeting was scheduled in Shanghai in December 2016.
The IFCC network will as usual organize two inter-comparison studies to re-approve approved
network laboratories and to approve candidate network laboratories. Included are blindsamples, old calibrators, new calibrators and controls of different batches. Blind samples arealso assayed by the laboratories of the NGSP/DCCT- and JDS/JSCC and Mono-S Networks
to monitor the master equations. Reports are expected in July and December. In the past
year one candidate laboratory was approved (National Center Clinical Laboratory in China). In
conjunction with the IFCC Task Force on HbA1c, the network is working on a generic modelfor quality targets for HbA1c and organizing a worldwide survey on the implementation of IFCC
standardization.
Planned activities in 2017
The HbA1c network will continue its activities in 2017.
Term of Reference 4.Traceability of total protein measurement results (Gerhard Schumann)
Accomplishments include:
Introduction
Measurements of total protein (TP) in human serum/plasma are performed frequently in medical
service laboratories. The preferred measurement principle is based on the biuret reaction using
peptide bonds of the proteins forming a complex with a copper ion. The resulting blue dye isrecorded spectrophotometrically. In metrological sense the measurand TP is not well defined.
A stoichiometric relation between peptide bonds and the mass or molecular weight of reacting
protein is not given. Furthermore, the composition of plasma proteins in samples from patientsvaries.
Reference measurement procedure: Measurement procedures in medical service laboratories
for TP refer to the two publications from Doumas et al. (1981): A Candidate Reference Method for
Determination of Total Protein in Serum; I. Development and Validation; II. Test for Transferability.
The procedure, even though very well described, was never endorsed as a RMP in sense of ISO
15193 requirements. Investigation of relevant components of measurement uncertainty (MU),
and the calculation of the combined expanded MU were not common 30 years ago.
A reference measurement procedure for TP is not yet listed in the BIPM/JCTLM data base.
Reference material, calibrator: Due to the fact that the largest fraction of proteins in human serum/plasma is albumin (HSA), this protein should be an appropriate calibrator for the determinationof TP. The primary protein structure of albumin is very well suited for the biuret reaction. Using
bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a calibrator instead of (HSA) has very likely economic rationality.
NIST is providing the standard reference material SRM-927, consisting of a fraction of BSA. Lot
SRM-927a, SRM-927b and SRM-927c had values certified by use of a reference measurement
procedure (RMP) based on the biuret reaction: “Reference Bovine Serum Albumin Concentrationby the Biuret Method”. The BSA fraction in the latest lots SRM-927d and SRM-927e is analyticallymuch better defined: “Certified Bovine serum Albumin Concentration by Amino Acid Analysis”.
The two certificates (-d and -e) have two entries with values and MUs related to amino acidanalysis and biuret method, respectively. The values differ by about 5 %. Since there is not yet
an officially accepted RMP for TP using the biuret measurement principle, the respective value
issued in the NIST certificate is of limited use for a calibration at a high metrological level.
24Reference system for total protein in serum/plasma: A reference system for TP should
consider the existing performance criteria for TP measurements in medical service laboratories.
Biuret methods for TP are used in medical service laboratories on various analytical platforms.
TP is a measurand which is described by a set of standardized measurement parameters. The
better the measurement parameters are defined the higher the level of standardization. Withreference to the existing candidate reference measurement procedure for TP it should not be
too difficult to agree on a set of measurement parameters for standardization of a RMP for TP.
The reference material SRM-927e from NIST for calibration fulfils the required high level ofanalytical and metrological quality, provided the certified value based on amino acid analysis
is used.
Scope of the IFCC initiative should focus on:• Consensus on the Doumas et al. publications from 1981 as a template for a RMP for TP.
• Re-investigation of the biuret procedure with reference to the publications of Doumas etal.
• Consensus on the use of SRM-927e as the primary reference material for calibration.
• Comparisons of SRM-927 versus a highly purified HSA preparation to investigate theeffect of the biuret procedure on albumins with different chemical structures (amino acidsequences) of BSA and HSA.
• Investigations of the relevant measurement uncertainty components, provision of astatement for combined expanded MU and declaration of the calibration and measurement
capability (CMC).
• A concept to bring the IFCC reference system into practice despite a possible shift of thevalues and of reference intervals when using the certified BSA concentration (related toamino acid analysis) for calibration.
Planned activities in 2017
The IFCC C-TLM will promote further activities for establishing an IFCC reference measurement
procedure for total protein.
C-Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL), Chair: Kiyoshi Ichihara (newChair as 2016: Yesim Ozarda).
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-RIDL terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. Review current concepts of establishing reference intervals (RIs) anddecision limits and to prepare state-of-the-art position statements regarding new avenues.
Accomplishments include:
The results of the global reference interval (RI) study were finished and reported in papers
in 2016 by Clin Chim Acta (CCA) (See Publications Section). The studies in Turkey for RI of
haematological parameters and in USA including Mayo and ARUP data were finished andpresented in Madrid at the General Conference (March 2016).
Another controversy discussed in Madrid was whether or not the RI is required when clinicaldecision limit (CDL) is available in clinical guidelines. To avoid confusion, it is necessary to
clarify differences in concept, the method for determination, and the utility of each.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Alternative approaches for the determination of RIs (conventional and “big data”) will be
examined in comparison with the current one being used in the C-RIDL study. For this purpose,the datasets collected during the last few years will be used in combination with RIs determinedin similar populations using very large anonymized datasets.
A new study will be conducted to compare alternative approaches (conventional and bigdata) for the determination of reference intervals, especially in the pediatric age group. For the25adult population, the indirect reference intervals will be compared with data obtained from theglobal study. Three opinion papers will be published, entitled (1) “Comparison between RIs
and CDLs regarding their concepts, and method of derivation”, and (2) “New concepts for thedevelopment of reference intervals: improving international utility”, (3) “Big Data: Is it a goodsource for deriving reference intervals?”
Term of Reference 2. To make available reference intervals and decision limits that respects therequirements of international directives such as the European IVD Directive 98/79, and relevant
ISO standards.
Accomplishments include:
Country-specific RIs for 12 countries (China, Japan, Turkey, Russia, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia,
Argentina, India, Philippines, South Africa, and Pakistan) were derived and related analyses on
RVs were carried out. The traceability of test results was confirmed by common measurementof the serum panel. When found to be biased, the test results were recalibrated according to
the traceable values assigned to the panel. Comparison of the RVs across 12 countries afteralignment based on the panel test results was fully described in Part One of the key note paper(see Publications).
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
A website will be made to provide the reference intervals obtained from the global study forpractice of Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine.It will allow interactive viewing of RIs for
EBLM by specifying sources of variation (gender, age, country, BMI, ABO blood groups, levelof alcohol drinking, smoking, and exercise) or by specifying any two laboratory tests for analysis
of correlation.
Term of Reference 3. To determine priority list of measurands (analytes) for which reference
intervals and/or decision limits have to be developed, considering various factors, such as age,gender, ethnicity, and for which the greatest improvements in medical decision making are
anticipatedAccomplishments include:
The list of analytes in the global RI study published by CCA is the most commonly used tests
in the clinical laboratory. A relevant issue for this Term of Reference is also the exploration of
biological sources of variation (SV) of measurands. By merging RVs from 12 countries, SVs were
harmoniously analysed using multiple regression analysis and ANOVAs. The most intriguing
finding in 2014 was the differential effect by ethnicity of body mass index (BMI) on test results.
The finding was reinforced by inclusion of 12 countries in this year’s analysis. Gender and agerelated changes in RVs were nearly consistent across the countries. The analyses of SVs acrossthe countries were fully described in Part Two of the key note paper.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
The above findings are to be confirmed and compared by an indirect study which will be plannedin 2017 in Athens.
Term of Reference 4. To monitor and evaluate currently proposed reference intervals forselected measurands (analytes) in the light of the concept of traceability and of the identificationof the uncertainty.
Accomplishments include:
No primary action was taken on this TR.

26

List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Not planned.
Term of Reference 5. Establish transferability protocols of reference intervals and decision
limits, which take into consideration inter-routine laboratory method variations and achieve
better applicability in clinical practice.
Accomplishments include:
The Data Management System was built, which enables alignment of all the results from theglobal study through flexible conversion of test results from one laboratory to another based oncommon test results for the serum panel. The new lot of serum panel (80 sets altogether) eachconsisting of 100 specimens of multiracial origins, which were value assigned with the help of
C-TLM, were measured by four countries for the purpose of ensuring traceability. It was alsomeasured by the Hamilton General Hospital in Canada (HGH) for the purpose of comparing RVs
between the adult and pediatric populations.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
The Data Management System will be further refined so that it can act as a data-server for theplanned website which will allow flexible access to the information being accumulated from theglobal study.
Term of Reference 6. Collaborate with other organizations and/or to undertake establishmentof reference intervals or decision limits for measurands (analytes) identified as a priority.
Accomplishments include:No action was taken on this so far.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Not planned
Term of Reference 7. Work in close collaboration with other Cs and WGs of SD and other
IFCC Divisions for the development and appropriate clinical utilization of reference intervals anddecision limits.
Accomplishments include:
The specimens in the new lot of the serum panel were value assigned for 12 biochemical
analytes (creatinine, urea, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, GGT, CK,
and AMY) with the support of the Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine. The panel
was actively used in the ongoing global multicentre study.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
An attempt will be made to collaborate with the Task Force for Pediatric Laboratory Medicine
for comparison of RIs between adult and pediatric populations based on the panel test results
obtained from the HGH, which measured the samples obtained for the CALIPER study.
Additional Information:
A website will be made available to provide the reference intervals obtained from the global
study for practice of Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine.It will allow interactive viewing of
RIs for EBLM by specifying sources of variation (gender, age, country, BMI, ABO blood groups,
level of alcohol drinking, smoking, and exercise) or by specifying any two laboratory tests foranalysis of correlation.
C-Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT), Chair: Linda Thienpont
During 2016 ongoing progress towards C-STFT terms of reference included:27

Term of Reference 1. To develop reference measurement systems for free thyroid hormones
and TSH.
Accomplishments include:
1. The free T4 reference measurement system/reference measurement procedure (RMP) was
already accomplished in 2011. The free T3 reference measurement system, particularly
the free T3 RMP was not optimized to become publishable and finally put to voting by the
IFCC Society members, because the IVD industry was not interested.
2. For TSH a reference measurement system based on the “all-procedure trimmed mean
(APTM)” calculated by Factor Analysis (FA) was already established in 2013.
3. Both free T4 and TSH reference measurement systems were implemented in 2015-16
by performing the Phase IV studies, i.e., the final method comparisons with panels ofclinically relevant samples (called the free T4 standardization and TSH harmonization
panel) intended to technically recalibrate the FT4 and TSH assays and supply the proofof-concept.
4. The first follow-up panel for TSH was also assigned by all-procedure trimmed mean
(APTM) targets in parallel with the harmonization panel. It follows that the follow-up panel
has exactly the same uncertainty as the very first harmonization panel and its traceability
to the latter is ensured. It is stored at NIBSC.
5. Two manuscripts currently have been prepared describing the results of the final method
comparisons, the outcome of the recalibration exercises and proof-of-concept studies (=reference interval studies), one for TSH, one for free T4. The TSH-manuscript has beenreviewed by all co-authors and participants and is submitted to Clin Chem. The free T4
manuscript has been circulated for review and will be submitted to Clin Chem early in
2017.
6. In 2016 another 3 new companies joined the C-STFT activities: LSI Medience, Sysmex
and Wako-Sanyo (joint-venture) – all from Japan. The first two already completed theentire “Step-Up”-approach and their final results for Phase IV are included in the above
mentioned manuscripts. The joint-venture company just finished the familiarization phaseand will enter phase IV soon. Note that this brings the count to 15 IVD companies who arepartner of the C-STFT.
7. The free T4 follow-up panel value assigned with the IFCC conventional RMP is ongoingat Ghent University. The homogeneity of the samples is also confirmed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. The stability study of the free T4 standardization and TSH harmonization panels is ongoing and will be followed-up.
2. If new companies contact C-STFT to join, C-STFT will guide them to do the free T4 andTSH standardization/harmonization of their assays.
3. C-STFT will follow-up the revision of the above 2 manuscripts.
4. Once the network of reference laboratories for free T4 is established (see below), newmethod comparison studies with specific patient groups can be initiated, if needed, e.g.,patients with non-thyroidal illness.
Term of Reference 2. To establish a network of laboratories competent to offer reference
measurement services for thyroid hormones.
Accomplishments include :To establish a network, UGent has assembled a panel of 20 frozen sera from presumably healthy
subjects, and assigned it with free T4 concentrations by the IFCC RMP. The samples are stored
at -70°C. These samples have and/or will be made available to the potential new partners
within the network for validation of their performance. These are: CDC (H. Vesper), Radboud
28

University Medical Center of Nijmegen (T. Van Herwaarden), the Reference Material Institute forClinical Chemistry Standards (ReCCS, Japan).
2. The above mentioned samples were recently used in a first method comparison with thelaboratory of the Radboud University Medical Center of Nijmegen. The outcome looks promising;
however, the day to day variation at the lab of the candidate network member is too high. The
laboratory agreed to further optimize the implementation of the IFCC RMP. UGent is involved in
the optimization of the experiments.
3. Also at the CDC the implementation of the FT4 IFCC RMP has been initiated. The first method
comparison data will be available soon.
4. At ReCCS, the new president after the decease of Dr. M. Umemoto is currently reconsidering
the commitments of his institute to support the reference laboratory network.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. The activities of 2016 to establish a network will be continued.
2. The collection of a new panel of 20 samples (with sufficient 1-mL aliquots) has been
initiated. It is intended for measurement by all members of the network (UGent, CDC,
Radboud, ReCCS) as final proof-of-concept.
3. Targeted aliquots of the new panel will be put at the disposal of all network members, andcan be used for IQC purposes (accuracy and precision) in future measurement activitiesof the network.
4. The laboratories of the established network will annually prove that they measure in
sufficient agreement, so that each of them is entitled to offer services to the IVD industry,when needed.
Term of Reference 3 and 4. Term of ref 3: To provide an infrastructure for procurement ofserum panels and Term of ref 4: Demonstrate that the traceable assays can use a common
reference interval; use this as a basis for further elaboration of the reference intervals by the IVD
manufacturers; consult with clinicians about the need for ethnic, age- or sub-population-specificreference intervals in co-operation with C-RIDL.
Accomplishments include:
Term of ref. 3: In order to source samples for the final method comparisons (Phase IV) andthe samples for the reference interval studies, the committee established a relationship with 2commercial vendors but also with several clinicians.
They are:- in.vent Diagnostica GmbH (Germany)- Solomon Park Research Laboratories (USA)- University Hospitals of Ghent, Louvain & Brussels- General Hospitals Maria Middelares (Ghent) and Sint-Jan (Bruges) (all from Belgium)- Dokkyo Medical University (Japan)- University of Sydney (Australia).
The committee aims at sustaining the excellent relationship with the clinicians.
Term of ref. 4: The pilot reference interval study is completed and the results are incorporated
in the above mentioned manuscripts. The key takeaway in the manuscript is that these studies
provided the proof-of-concept that common reference intervals are feasible for assays withcalibration traceability to the free T4 and TSH reference measurement systems. Particularly, theTSH proof-of-concept was convincing, while the free T4 might need some improvement.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
In spite of the positive outcome of the reference interval studies, the message of C-STFT is:“our pilot reference interval studies are not the endpoint, because “common RI” does not mean
“one size fits all-RI”. It is the ideal starting point for manufacturers to verify accordance of29their individual RIs with accepted consensus standards, and establish, if needed, high quality
reference ranges, accounting for between-population, clinical or biological differences”.
Term of Reference 5 and 6. Term of ref. 5: Liaise with key stakeholders to implement the useof the traceable assays in routine clinical practice. Term of ref. 6: Through collaboration with
IFCC EMD, provide educational materials for manufacturers, clinicians and patients which will
support the implementation of traceable assays.
Accomplishments include:
List 2016 accomplishments for this Term of ReferenceTerm of ref. 5: two members of C-STFT, supported by the IFCC past-president, published inseveral journals a call for benefit-risk analysis by involved stakeholders (general practitioners,
endocrinologists, patients). Unfortunately, few answers came in, but the balance clearly wasin favour of benefit. Clinicians seemed not afraid of risks when reference intervals change,
because they rely on the guidance from the clinical community. Patient organizations are moreconcerned. The C-STFT started a discussion forum with members of the Society Members of
IFCC to learn how the laboratory community prepares the implementation of newly calibrated
assays and changed reference intervals.
Two new tools were developed to monitor the stability of the post-standardization/harmonization
calibration basis of the assays. They are intended to prevent risks due to non-sustainability of
the new calibration basis. The tools and their utility to the purpose meanwhile are published. The
chair is trying to recruit more laboratories to have reliable peer groups of all systems involved in
the C-STFT activities. The hope is to receive the support from manufacturers.
In addition, C-STFT and IVD industry are in close contact with the FDA to comply with theregulatory requirements upon implementation of the recalibrated immunoassays. No date forfinal implementation has been fixed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Activities of 2016 will be continued.
With regard to education of involved stakeholders, it is obvious that invitations to present on thework by C-STFT to stakeholders will be accepted.
WORKING GROUPS
WG-Standardization of Hemoglobin A2 (WG-SHbA2), Chair: Renata Paleari
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-HbA2 terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. To promote the standardization of hemoglobin A2 measurement throughthe definition of an international reference system, including a reference measurement procedureand primary and secondary reference materials.
Accomplishments include:
The ID-MS candidate reference measurement procedure based on peptide mapping andcalibration with recombinant hemoglobins (HbA0 and HbA2) has been finalized and implemented
in two different reference laboratories of our WG, i.e. INSTAND e.V., Düsseldorf, DE andPhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, DE.
During 2016, the measurement conditions have been completely optimized and the experimental
work for the validation of the candidate reference measurement procedure has been completed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
A scientific publication on the candidate reference measurement procedure for HbA2 will be
prepared. A draft will be first submitted to the IFCC-SD for comments.
Term of Reference 2.Development of a secondary certified reference material for hemoglobin
A2 (in cooperation with the IRMM).
30

Accomplishments include:
The stability study on the first pilot batch of candidate reference material (lyophilized hemolysate)has been continued. The material is quite stable with respect to HbA2 content for more thanseven years when stored at -20°C. Moreover, no degradation products were detectable. MetHb
content was also very low, essentially identical to the one measured on blood before theprocessing.
In the framework of the IFCC-ICSH joint group, a multicenter study has been defined withthe aim to evaluate the alignment of current high performing HbA2 methods and to test thecommutability of various control materials including the WHO-NIBSC International Reference
Material for HbA2. Three laboratories are involved in the study (2 in Italy and 1 in The Netherlands)
and 8 analytical methods (7 HPLC and 1 CE) will be tested. All the necessary materials havebeen prepared and shipped to the laboratories. The experimental work is in progress.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
The multicenter study will be completed and a publication prepared.
A plan for the production of the certified reference material at the IRMM will be finalized andrelated activities (starting from the collection of raw materials) will be started. A road map forthe production of this material will be completed and submitted to the IFCC SD for approval.
WG-Standardization of Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (WG-SCDT), Chair: Jos
Wielders
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-CDT terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. Maintaining a network of CDT reference laboratories that perform the
HPLC candidate reference method.
Accomplishments include:
While waiting for the IFCC-SD review of the manuscript for (c)RMP for CDT, no further action
was taken in 2016. Last round with blinded samples was in 2015.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Check of the performance as was done in 2015. Where needed support will be given to individuallabs.
Term of Reference 2. Development of a reference material for CDT (suitable for harmonizationof present methods)
Accomplishments include:
The reference material was developed in 2014. No further actions in 2016.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Using the multi-level reference material for harmonization of the commercial methods
Term of Reference 3. To appoint the HPLC reference method, the reference interval andmeasurement uncertainty in a formal publication. To develop a formal IFCC RMP.
Accomplishments include:
The final manuscript describing validation of the cRMP according to ISO15193 and its use wassent to the IFCC-SD chair in February 2016. After approval by the IFCC-SD, board and nationalsocieties it was accepted and declared to be a RMP. The Epub in ClinChimActa appeared in
the last days of December.

31

List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Promote the knowledge of the IFCC RMP for CDT towards diagnostic firms and nationalsocieties involved in diagnosing and monitoring of alcoholism.
Term of Reference 4. Guidance of diagnostic firms in standardization towards the (c)RMP.
Accomplishments include:
Very little progress could be made while waiting for the IFCC response towards the cRMP
validation manuscript. Only some contacts by email.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Full support and two meetings about guidance of the diagnostic firms.
WG-Standardization of Albumin Assay in Urine (WG-SAU)(a joint committee with
the Laboratory Working Group (LWG) of the National Kidney Disease Education Program(NKDEP), USA), Chair: Lorin Bachmann
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-SAU terms of reference included:
Terms of Reference1. Physiologic variability of UA in stable mild kidney disease (funded by
NKDEP).
Accomplishments include:No activity due to funding limitation and lack of identification of investigators willing to performthe studies.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
No activity due to funding limitation and lack of identification of investigators willing to performthe studies.
Terms of Reference 2. Status of harmonization among commercial immunoassays for UA(funded by NKDEP).
Accomplishments include:
The objectives of this project are to:1.) Assess current status of harmonization of routine measurement procedures versus ID-LCMS
candidate reference measurement procedure using native patient samples;2.) Evaluate analytical performance characteristics of urine albumin measurement procedures;
3.) Evaluate commutability characteristics of the Japan Society for Clinical Chemistry (JSCC)
and diluted IRMM ERM-DA470k/IFCC reference materials; and4.) Assess utility of candidate reference materials for use in standardization of routine
measurement procedures.
Findings included:a) Bias was greater than ± 10 percent for 14 of 16 quantitative methods vs. ID-LCMS indicatingthat standardization is needed.
b) Several methods had non-constant bias with concentration suggesting that calibration
technique needs investigation.
c) Dilution caused changes in bias for some methods.
d) CV total was greater than 10 percent for five methods showing that improvement in precision
is needed for those assayse) In general, sample specific effects were not clinically significant
Recommendations for manufacturers include:1) method imprecision should be reduced, especially at low urine albumin concentrations that32

may influence CKD risk assessment,2) methods that showed a non-constant calibration bias over the method measuring interval
should be investigated and corrected and3) methods with poor dilution protocols should improve their user information to include
specified dilution buffers and validate their protocols for matrix bias.
To facilitate standardization of routine methods, NIST SRM 3666 is currently being prepared basedon the specifications developed by the WG-SAU and the LWG of the NKDEP. The NIST Albuminin Human Frozen Urine standard reference material (SRM 3666) is pooled urine collected fromhuman subjects with urinary albumin levels ranging from the following stages of albuminuria:
normoalbuminuria (0-25 mg/L), microalbuminuria (25-200 mg/L), and macroalbuminuria (>200mg/L). All four levels of pooled urine will be available frozen, in 1 mL aliquot volume.
The next step is to perform a freeze-thaw study to assess the ability to use frozen patient
samples for the commutability study for NIST SRM 3666.
A freeze-thaw study was performed using 66 pairs of unfrozen and frozen freshly collected,
native urine samples to determine the effects of a single freeze-thaw cycle urine albumin results.
Samples spanning the concentration range of 15 – 1,000 mg/L were included in the study.
Samples were centrifuged and one aliquot was stored at 2-8C and the other was frozen at -70C
for a minimum of 66hrs. The non-frozen and frozen aliquots were shipped to 10 manufacturers
for albumin measurement. Median bias for frozen vs. non-frozen samples was < 1.2% for all
methods tested suggesting that frozen samples may be used for the commutability studies.
However outlier samples were observed with biases that exceeded 10%. It was noted thatformal statistical analysis has not yet been completed and the raw data has not been inspected
for transcription errors or other types of errors.
The preliminary data was presented at the joint NKDEP/IFCC WG-SAU meeting on August 3rd,
2016 held in conjunction with the AACC annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Rigorous statistical analysis will be performed on the raw data after the data is inspected fortranscription and other errors. The study will then be submitted for publication.
Term of Reference 3. Establish a reference procedure and reference materials for themeasurement of albumin in urine.Reference measurement procedure for UA (funded by NKDEPand NIST)
Accomplishments include:
The Mayo Clinic (John Lieske) ID-LC-MS/MS candidate reference measurement procedure wasincluded in a manuscript “A reference system for urinary albumin: current status” was publishedin CCLM as part of the special issue devoted to SD activities (see Publications section).
This procedure was also used in the status of harmonization among commercial immunoassays
project. The Mayo reference method was used to assign albumin values for CAP and CEQAL
urine samples.
NIST has developed and performed an in-house validation of an ID-LC-MS/MS reference
measurement procedure for urine albumin.It is anticipated the NIST procedure will enableassessment of the molecular forms of albumin in urine that may be of importance in thespecificity requirements for routine measurement procedures. There were some unexplained
discrepancies that are under investigation.
NIST and Mayo continued to perform comparison studies for their respective IDMS candidatereference measurement procedures. However, both parties continued to observe unexplained
differences among results for the two methods. It was discussed during the NKDEP/IFCC
WG-SAU meeting that standardizing pre-analytical protocols between the two methods may
improve agreement.

33

List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
NIST and Mayo will continue to develop and validate their reference measurement procedures
and will work identifying sources of disagreement among the methods.
Terms of Reference4. Reference materials for UA and urine creatinine (funded by JSCC andNIST)
Accomplishments include:
SRM 2925 Human Serum Albumin is a primary certified reference material for use with higher
order reference measurement procedures for albumin. It is solid recombinant human serum
albumin (~1 g/L).Value assignment is by amino acid analysis using ID-LC-MS/MS. The material
is available.
SRM 3666 is currently being prepared based on the specifications developed by the WG-SAU
and the LWG of the NKDEP. The NIST Albumin in Human Frozen Urine standard reference material(SRM 3666) is pooled urine collected from human subjects with urinary albumin levels ranging
from the following stages of albuminuria: normoalbuminuria (0-25 mg/L), microalbuminuria (25200 mg/L), and macroalbuminuria (>200 mg/L). All four levels of pooled urine will be available
frozen, in 1 mL aliquot volume. A contract to a commercial vendor for the production of SRM
3666 was awarded in September 2014. However, the vendor has not satisfied the contract
requirements.
In order to obtain urine samples for SRM 3666, Virginia Commonwealth University has agreed
to serve as a residual urine sample collection site. A preliminary protocol was drafted and needs
to be finalized.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
VCU will continue to work with NIST to finalize the collection protocol for SRM 3666.
WG-Standardization of Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein A (WG-PAPP A),
Chair: Saara WittfoothDuring 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-PAPPA terms of reference included:
Term of Reference: Develop a reference system for standardization of PAPPA measurement
employed as marker for prenatal screening.
Accomplishments include:
Due to the maternity leave of the Chair, there have been limited activities in 2016.The chairsubmitted a revised project plan to the SD including schedule and cost estimates. The WG
previously used purified material to assess ability to standardize assays, but this did not work
for all assays.The group will assess the potential of harmonization and the goal of making assay
results more comparable.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
1. Sample collection and preparations
2. Sample analyses at the University of Turku
3. Sample analyses at IVD manufacturers
4. Data analysis
5. Report of the results
WG-Standardization of Insulin Assays (WG-SIA), Chair: Amy Saenger, Co-Chair: Mike
SteffesDuring 2016 the WG-SIA continued ongoing progress towards its terms of reference.This is a
joint project between ADA and IFCC.Establishment of a reference measurement procedure for34

serum insulin is on-going.Several labs are currently testing samples with the candidate reference
method.At the same time the WHO is vetting a reference material via C. Burns at NIBSC.This
material will be used as calibrator for the mass spec procedure to assign values.The plan is to
use the mass spec method, reference material, samples or pools or some combination of theseto bring the immunoassays closer together.
The next meeting is planned for in October in conjunction with the 2017 WorldLab in Durban.
WG-Standardization of Troponin I (WG-TNI), Chair: David Bunk
During 2016 the WG-TNI continued ongoing progress towards its terms of reference.The WG
continued developing a CRM for Troponin I in serum (NIST SRM 2922).The plan is to mix pools
from a normal population and one from cardiac patients.The normal pool will be evaluated in aninterference study prior to being used in the production of SRM 2922. If okay, a limit of blankstudy will be performed with a few different methods being considered.Once complete, value
assignment will be performed.Plans for this work were outlined and discussed with a focus on
how best to ensure and validate measurement quality during the value-assignment process.
It was suggested that participating manufacturers be queried about their measurement batchtimes for the anticipated sample analyses for both the value-assignment and commutability
studies.
Assay manufacturers present at the WG-TNI meetings expressed concerns that performinga re-calibration of their cTnI platforms in the middle of their lifespans would be a significant
financial and bureaucratic burden. The WG plans for a next face-to-face meeting in August
2017 in conjunction with the AACC in San Diego.
WG-Harmonization of Autoantibody Test (WG-HAT), Chair: Joanna Sheldon
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-HAT terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. To evaluate what are the main causes of variability for a number ofdiagnostically critical autoantibodies.
Accomplishments include:
The certification process for IgG anti proteinase 3 antibodies is showing significant differences
between methods and comparable to the results for the IgG anti myeloperoxidase antibodies.
Some of the issues are likely to relate to the specificity of different methods with different
epitopes of the antigens and this makes further investigation into the causes of variation
between methods vital.It may also lead to better definitions of the antigens or epitopes that areimportant and the clinical utility of these tests.
Term of Reference 2. To identify autoantibodies where a common calibrator could reduce theinter-assay variability.
Accomplishments include:
Diagnostic companies are becoming more receptive to the concept of proper standardization
for autoantibodies although there remains some reluctance.
The WG has been asked to consider production of reference materials for more autoantibodies
but believe that it should continue with the plan to generate a robust process and concentrateon IgG anti MPO (complete) PR3 (final stages of certification), GBM (raw material sourced),
B2GP1 (issues with value assignment so a further commutability study is necessary)and CCP.
Term of Reference 3. To identify or produce commutable materials that could be used asinterim calibration material for autoantibody assays

35

Accomplishments include:
IgG anti PR3 antibodies• The value assignment process is complete and the certification report is in the IRMM
validation process.
• The WG delayed wide publicity of the ERMDa 476 until the reference preparation for IgGanti proteinase 3 is also ready.This will be a more logical release of reference material forthe two ANCA related antibody specificities.
• The WG continue to try to find a way of working with the FDA.
• Liaison with manufacturers and EQA providers is ongoing but will become more formal
once both reference materials are certified.
Gaining further information and experience:- Large trial of well characterised clinical samples (Prof Xavier Bossuyt) to be analyses withrespect to ERM-DA476/IFCC and the IgG anti proteinase 3 material.The data can be finalized
when the IgG anti PR3 material has been certified.
- Assessing reference ranges and cut-off values-Companies to run their panels of clinical samples with respect to ERM-DA476/IFCC-To better define the changes in the “value” reported by their kits
-To better define reference range and clinical cut off values for their kits
FDA and CE-The change from “units” to mg/L is likely to alter cut off values and clinical interpretation in
many assays-It is likely that an additional FDA approval phase in needed for kits using ERM-DA476/IFCC –the WG is currently in discussion with the FDA.
Education-WG preparing information to guide companies on how to transfer values from ERM-DA476/
IFCC to their local or kit calibrators-WG is preparing information packs and presentations to be used by companies and providersof the service to show the value of a certified reference preparation.Goal is a consistent message
about ERM-DA476/IFCC and informing users of how it is best implemented-Suggestion that values could be reported in their kit units and in mg/L; a conversion factor will
not be appropriate
EQA-The transition and the changes will affect EQA providers and performance-EQA is one of the mechanisms that can be used to assess the impact of standardization.The
WG is currently in discussion with the UKNEQAS and CAP and actively seeking contact withother EQA providers
Communication-To use the presentations to disseminate information about ERM-DA476/IFCC with Regulatory
bodies, Professional bodies, Clinical groups, Accreditation bodies, EQA providers, Patientgroups, Attendance at meetings.
Time scale-ERM-DA476/IFCC is now available-Companies may use it to assign values to their kit standards in mg/L in addition to their usual
units-The incorporation of ERM-DA476/IFCC into pack information will be a major task for companies-It is likely that this will take some months
36

FDA – WG is continuing discussions and identifying possible routes forward but full FDA
approval of kits using ERM-DA476/IFCC will take some months
IgG anti cardiolipin and IgG anti beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies• some of the validation testing has shown a possible issue with the commutability of thematerial; therefore a further commutability study in needed in order to select an appropriatematerial.This is in progress.
Further projects
Anti CCP antibodies:• the “ownership” of sera to make potential reference materials remains in question.The
WG is trying to find suitable raw materials as the basis for an IRP.
Anti GBM antibodies:• Plasmapheresis material is available – plan to move when MPO and B2 GP1 have progressed
Anti TTG antibodies:
There have been strong requests for the WG to make a reference material for IGG and IgA anti
tissue transglutaminase antibodies and will consider this.
Term of Reference 4. To produce well-characterized pure antibody preparations with known
concentration and identity and use these to transfer values to a matrix preparation
Accomplishments include:
ERM Da 476 is now a certified reference material. IgG anti proteinase 3 is in the final stages ofcertification by the IRMM.
Continue with the characterization of the materials as they become available.
Additional Information:
The WG-HAT has been working on this exciting project for 6 years with considerable effort
from a small group of clinicians and scientists.It has been a challenge to develop the referencematerials and prove, in principle, that it was possible.It has been appropriate to have been aworking group but now that there are two materials for IGG anti MPO and IgG anti PR3, theWG will need to increase visibility and have a much greater impact on the laboratory clinicalchemistry and immunology community and on the rheumatology and nephrology communities.
The WG needs to raise its profile and participate in much broader activities while continuing todevelop more reference materials and identify the sources of variation in autoantibody testing.
Companies generously supported these studies were:AESKU Diagnostics,Bio-Rad Laboratories, DAKO, EUROIMMUN, EuroDiagnostica,IMMCO
Diagnostics, INOVA Diagnostics, Phadia / Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roche Diagnostics, Siemens
Healthcare Diagnostics Products and Staten Serum Institute.
WG specifically encouraged all companies not currently members of the IFCC to become
corporate members both in letter and in presentations.
WG-Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Proteomics (WG-cMSP), Chair: Sylvain Lehmann
During 2016 the WG-cMSP continued ongoing progress towards its terms of reference.It
was recognized that different laboratories participating in the WG have different operatingprocedures to perform quantitative mass spectrometry analyses for peptides and proteins.
The WG has an ongoing QA/QC program on hepcidin to exchange standards to be able tocompare and adjust values obtained in the different laboratories. The WG is also collaboratingwith the LNE to evaluate the possibility to generate a CRM for hepcidin. Samples andpurified materials have been sent to 5 labs (2 within the WG and 3 in France).A few of
their procedures might be able to develop into reference method.However, realization indeveloping a reference method for hepcidin has proven difficult and remains uncertain.The
37

SD decided that this WG will close at the end of 2016 and thank the chair and members fortheir service.
WG-Parathyroid Hormone (WG-PTH), Chair: Cathie Sturgeon
During 2016 the WG-PTH continued ongoing progress towards its terms of reference. The WG
continues to work on developing a reference system for PTH.Currently, activities are focusedin three areas:
1. Assessment of commutability
2. Development of a reference measurement procedure:Several groups are involved
including Mayo, CDC, and NIST.
3. To gain a better understanding of what is the actual measurand being measured as
many manufacturers have gone to third generation assays.Manufacturers are highly
supportive and engaged.
WG-CSF Proteins (WG-CSF), Chair: Kaj Blennow		
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-CSF terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1. Develop an international reference material for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The project aims to:• Collect a CSF material, test stability, and assign values, to establish a Certified Reference
Material (CRM)• Establishment of Reference Measurement Procedure (RMP) for the key measurands (Aβ1-42
and tau) for assignment of values to the reference material.
Accomplishments include:• Collection of CSF material and preparation of the Certified Reference Material (CRM):- University of Gothenburg, Sweden has collected a large (5 litre) pool of CSF to be the basis
for the reference material.
- A study has been performed to test that no individual high-volume sample shows interferencein the mixing to obtain the pool. Results show acceptable agreement between expected(calculated) and measured values, meaning that these samples will be suitable for the CRM.
- A first commutability study has been done, comparing the candidate CRM as well as spiked
variants and pools containing detergents.
In this study, the SRM mass spec method for Aβ1-42 (candidate CRM, see below) was comparedwith several immunoassays (ELISA, Luminex, and MesoScale).
A large series of individual patient samples was analyzed together with aliquots of the CSF
candidate CRM.
The analysis showed high correlations between the SRM method and the immunoassays, andalso very good commutability of the candidate CRM, but not for different variants of artificial
CSF, or for samples containing detergents.
- Based on these results, a second commutability study has been performed, in which a
common calibrator (Aβ1-42 peptide) was used, and the candidate CRM included (neat andspiked at 3 levels).
In this study, the SRM mass spec method for Aβ1-42 (candidate CRM, see below) was comparedwith eight different immunoassays (Innotest ELISA, Luminex, and MesoScale, and also IBL,
Roche, Vitros/Saladax, ADx, Simoa).A large series of individual patient samples was analyzed
together with aliquots of the CSF candidate CRM, spiked at three levels.
The analysis showed high correlations between the SRM method and the immunoassays, andalso very good commutability of the candidate CRM, but less commutability for spiked variants.
For these reasons, it was decided that the high-volume samples for the CRM will be pooled
based on the original Aβ1-42 levels, so that three different CRMs will be produced with high,medium and low levels.
38

Three reference materials have now been produced for Aβ42, with high, middle and low Aβ42
concentration. Homogeneity and stability have been verified, long-term stability (1 year) is good.
The homogeneity after 1 year storage is also still acceptable. The value assignment is on-going,with four LC-MS datasets received. Of these one has technical problems, and will be repeated.
One or two additional datasets were expected at the end of 2016.
Both these commutability studies have been reported in a paper (Bjerke M, et al. Assessing thecommutability of reference material formats for the harmonization of amyloid beta measurements.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2016.).(see Publications).
- A common calibrator for Aβ1-42 has been quantified by amino acid analysis in certified
laboratories. The calibrator will be used as the master calibrator, and also distributed to the labs
doing the mass spec method.
• Establishment of reference methods for the key measurands for assignment of values to thereference material:- This part of the project is focused on developing a SRM mass-spec method for Aβ 1-42
in CSF, to qualify as a reference measurement procedure (RMP). There are five laboratories
that are working on this in a collaborative effort, including University of Gothenburg, Sweden(Blennow and Zetterberg). University of Pennsylvania, USA (Shaw and Korecka), PPD (Jenkins),
and Roche Diagnostics. All labs have developed SRM mass spec assays for CSF Aβ1-42.
- The assays have been compared in a detailed Round Robin study in which both human
CSF samples and the calibrators have been analyzed in all labs. The results show very goodcorrelations and agreements between assays. In this Round Robin study, the candidate
Reference Material was included as one sample, and if data from each laboratory were correctedbased on this sample, the agreement between methods was excellent. The Round Robin study
has been reported in a paper (Pannee J, et al. Round robin test on quantification of amyloid-β1-42 in cerebrospinal fluid by mass spectrometry. Alzheimers Dement 2016;12(1):55-59.
- A second Round Robin study has been performed in which the master calibrator is used, totest a common procedure for calibration in preparation of the value assignment of the CRM.
Data from this study showed linear correlations and good agreement between the five methods
with a variation <4%.
- Both Univ. of Gothenburg and Univ. of Pennsylvania have made a full validation, according to
ICH guidelines, of their SRM mass spec assays for CSF Aβ1-42. Both the Roche/Gothenburg
and the UPenn methods are now accepted and listed as a RMP by the Joint Committee forTraceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM).
Further planned activities for 2016-17- Several of the labs in the WG have initiated work to develop a SRM method for total tau (T-tau)
in CSF. Experiments show that this will need to be based on direct trypsination of CSF proteins.
The method will probably be more complicated than for Aβ1-42; one reason is that there are six
isoforms of tau, and several phosphorylation sites, and probably also endogenous fragmentsof the protein. Principles for the method were discussed at the IFCC WG meeting in Paris, June23, 2015, and the IFCC-WG CSF meeting in Geel Oct 11, 2016.
A first preliminary version of the method has been developed in UGOT (Dr. J Pannee), based on
the quantification of the tryptic tau peptide GAAPGQK making use of a centrifugal filter system
for sample preparation. The method show good linearity, sensitivity and repeatability. However,there have been issues with the labelled standard (calibrator); the recombinant protein (labelled
and unlabelled) seems to give a lower peptide peak area than expected. Identification of asuitable calibrant is in progress.
- A third commutability study where the 3 final CRMs will be included is now ongoing. This
study will include 34 different individual CSF samples analysed in duplicate, and the 3 CRMs
analysed in quadruplicates. Six different immunoassays (INNOTEST ELISA, Lumipulse Abeta42,
ADx beta-amyloid (1-42), MSD V-PLEX Aβ (6E10), IBL Amyloid-beta (1-42) CSF ELISA, Roche
Elecsysβ-Amyloid (1-42)) will be compared, together with the SRM RMP method for Abeta1-42.
39

Results are coming in from the different participants at present.
Commutability studies for Tau in the candidate reference materials for Aβ42 show these arequite commutable also for Tau (UGOT - Ulf Andreasson). Additional commutability studies will
be needed to produce a material with high Tau concentration, either by spiking or by using
ventricular CSF with high Tau concentrations, and spike this into a pool of normal CSF.
There is a growing use of Aβ40, and it had previously been discussed that a reference material
would be useful. The consensus of the Geel IFCC-WG CSF meeting was that an indicativevalue for Aβ40 would not be useful, but the existing LS-MS method for Aβ42 could be adapted
for Aβ40, and submitted as reference method to IFCC and JCTLM. In the meantime JRC has
assessed homogeneity and stability (including one-year stability) for Aβ40 in the materials
produced for Aβ42. Therefore the certification of Aβ40 in one of these materials would require
only the value assignment measurements.
WG – Standardization of Bone Marker Assays (WG-SBMA), Chair: Howard Morris
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-SBMA terms of reference included: This is a joint
activity with the International Osteoporosis Foundation.
Term of Reference 1:Standardize or harmonize (as technically feasible or appropriate at thistime) clinical assays available for routine and research use for the serum assay for C-telopeptide
fragments of collagen type I α1 chains containing the epitope Glu-Lys-Ala-His-Asp-s-Gly-GlyArg in an isomerised form (also known as serum Crosslaps (CTx)).
Accomplishments include:
The protocol for an assay comparability study of the two major clinical assays for CTX has been
prepared. The study is being conducted at four European centres collecting data on the effects
of serum or plasma specimen, fasting or non-fasting subjects and males and females presenting
to osteoporosis clinics on the comparability of the results of assays from two manufacturers
used by clinical laboratories. The study is funded by the two IVD companies involved.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Data analysis will be conducted, the results collected and a study report completed. An algorithm
for the harmonization of the results from each assay will be derived. A report will be preparedfor publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Term of Reference 2: Standardize or harmonize (as technically feasible or appropriate at thistime) clinical assays available for routine and research and the serum assay for N-terminal
Propeptide of Type I Procollagen (P1NP).
Accomplishments include:
The protocol for an assay comparability study of the three major clinical assays for PINP has been
prepared. The study will be conducted at four European centres collecting data on the effects ofserum or plasma specimen, fasting or non-fasting subjects and males and females presenting
to osteoporosis clinics on the comparability of the results from the three manufacturers of assay
reagents used by clinical laboratories for this analyte. The study is funded by the two IVD major
companies involved.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference:
Data analysis will be conducted, the results collected and a study report completed. An algorithm
for the harmonization of the results from each assay will be derived. A report will be preparedfor publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

40

Additional Information:
The results from the WG will be reported at the IOF Business meeting being held in Florence,
Italy 24 March 2017 in conjunction with the World Congress of Osteoporosis.

WG – Commutability (WG-C), Chair: Greg Miller
During 2016 ongoing progress towards WG-C terms of reference included:
Term of Reference 1: Establish operating procedures for the formal assessment of thecommutability of a reference material intended for use as a calibrator, trueness control or EQA
sample, taking into account different measurement procedure properties and categories oftraceability described in ISO 17511.
Accomplishments include:
A draft recommendations document is fairly complete. The recommendations address:definitionof commutability; individual clinical samples for inclusion in a commutability assessment;
pools of clinical samples for use in a commutability assessment; reference material(s) to be
included in a commutability assessment; qualification of measuring systems for inclusion in acommutability assessment; statistical designs to assess commutability (two approaches, one
based on difference in bias between patient samples and a candidate RM and the other basedon calibration effectiveness of a candidate reference material); criteria to make a determinationthat a RM is commutable (criteria are based on intended use for medical decisions); replacementof a RM with a new preparation; correction to the assigned value of a non-commutable certified
reference material (CRM) used in a calibration traceability hierarchy; and information oncommutability to be provided in the certificate for a RM.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Finalize the statistical approaches for evaluating commutability using the calibration
effectiveness approach, for replacement of a RM with a new preparation, and for correction
to an assigned value of a RM for non-commutability.Convert the current numbered formatof the draft recommendations into manuscripts suitable for publication.The plan is to
publish five papers to divide the large amount of content into manageable papers: (1)general recommendations; (2) statistical evaluation approach based on difference in bias;(3) statistical evaluation approach based on calibration effectiveness of a RM; (4) validationof a replacement batch of a RM; (5) correction of an assigned value for a RM for noncommutability with one or more measurement procedures.It is not likely that all five papers
will be completed in 2017.
Term of Reference 2: Establish how to define the degree of commutability which is required
for a given reference material, taking into account its intended use and the intended use of themeasurand. The degree of commutability becomes the criteria used in the assessment process.
Accomplishments include:
Described in term of reference #1.
Term of Reference 3: Propose standard terminology to describe the degree of commutabilityof a reference material, taking into account its intended use.
Accomplishments include:
Described in term of reference #1.
Term of Reference 4: Provide guidance to manufacturers and laboratories about what
41

information should be provided by manufacturers in relation to the commutability of referencematerials used to establish the calibration traceability of a measurement procedure.
Accomplishments include: Not addressed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Described in term of reference #1.
Term of Reference 5: Develop educational materials regarding commutability for manufacturers,
laboratories and users of laboratory results.
Accomplishments include: Not addressed.
List planned activities in 2017 for this Term of Reference
Described in term of reference #1.
Additional Information:
The chair has discussed publication approaches with Nader Rifai, Editor-in-Chief, Clinical
Chemistry, for the quantity of material in the final recommendations. An approach of several
papers with substantial use of supplemental data is likely to be acceptable.
Face to face meeting is scheduled on June 11, 2017 during the EuroMedLab meeting in Athens.

PUBLICATIONS BY COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS:C-NPU:- Wikipedia page for the NPU Terminology went live:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPU_terminology-

Understanding the ’Silver Book’ – An important reference for standardised nomenclaturein clinical laboratory sciences.Flatman R, Gerard G, Dybkaer R, IFCC IUPAC Joint
Committee on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU),Clin Chim Acta 2016 Jun 29-

Silver Book 2:
Compendium of Terminology and Nomenclature of Properties in Clinical Laboratory
Sciencies: Recommendations 2016.Georges Ferard, Rene Dybkaer, Xavier FuentesArderiu.Royal Society of Chemistry eBook.

-

Vocabulary on Nominal Property, nominal examination, and related concepts for clinicallaboratory sciences.IFCC-IUPAC Recommendation 2016.IUPAC Project 2004-023-1700, extended 2008-019-1-700 (in final review pending publication)

C-MD- Payne DA, Baluchova K, Peoc’h KH, van Schaik RHN, ChanKC Allen,Maekawa M, Mamotte
C, Russomando G, RousseauF,Ahmad-NejadP, on behalf of the IFCC Committee for
Molecular Diagnostics (C-MD). Pre-examination factors affecting molecular diagnostic
test results and interpretation: A case-based approach. Clinica Chimica Acta (in press)
available online June, 2016 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2016.06.018
C-RIDL:
Published:- Ichihara K., Ozarda Y., Barth J.H., Klee G., Ling Q., Erasmus R., et al. on behalf of
the Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits, International Federation for
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. A global multicenter study on reference42values: 1. Assessment of methods for derivation and comparison of reference intervals.
Clin Chim Acta , 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2016.09.016-

Ichihara K., Ozarda Y., Barth J.H., Klee G., Shimizu Y., Xia L., et al. on behalf of theCommittee on Reference Intervals and Decision Limits, International Federation for
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. A global multicenter study on reference
values: 2. exploration of sources of variation across the countries. Clin Chim Acta ,2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2016.09.015

Other articles directly related to the C-RIDL projects.
- Ozarda Y. Reference intervals: current status, recent developments and future
considerations. Biochem Med, 2016;26(1):5–16-

Bakan E, Polat H, Ozarda Y, et al. A reference interval study for common biochemical
analytes in Eastern Turkey: a comparison of a reference population with laboratory data
mining. Biochem Med 2016;26(2):210–23

C-TLM:- Mass spectrometry – a key technique for traceability in clinical chemistry.
Anja Kessler:
Trends in Anal. Chem. 84 (2016) 74-79.
C-STFT:- Thienpont LM, Faix JD, Beastall G. Standardization of FT4 and Harmonization of TSH
Measurements--A Request for Input from Endocrinologists and Other Physicians.
Endocr Pract 2016;22:374.
-

Thienpont LM, Faix JD, Beastall G. Standardization of FT4 and Harmonization of TSH
Measurements--A Request for Input from Endocrinologists and Other Physicians. Exp
Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2016;124:61-2.

-

De Grande LA, Goossens K, Van Uytfanghe K, Halsall I, Yoshimura Noh J, Hens K,
Thienpont LM. Using “big data” to describe the effect of seasonal variation in thyroidstimulating hormone. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2016 Jul 22. pii:/j/cclm.ahead-of-print/cclm2016-0500/cclm-2016-0500.xml. doi:
10.1515/cclm-2016-0500.

-

De Grande LA, Goossens K, Van Uytfanghe K, Das B, MacKenzie F, Patru MM,
Thienpont LM; IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT)..
Monitoring the stability of the standardization status of FT4 and TSH assays by use ofdaily outpatient medians and flagging frequencies. Clin Chim Acta. 2016 Apr 27. pii:
S0009-8981(16)30157-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.04.032.

Publication submitted:- Thienpont LM, Van Uytfanghe K, De Grande LAC, Reynders D, Das B, Faix JD, MacKenzie
F, Decallonne B, Hishinuma A, Lapauw B, Taelman P, Van Crombrugge P,Van den Bruel
A, Velkeniers B, Williams P on behalf for the IFCC Committee for Standardization of
Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT). Harmonization of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone
measurements paves the way for the adoption of a common reference interval – A
technical report. Submitted to Clin Chem

43

Publications in preparation:- De Grande LAC, Van Uytfanghe K, Reynders D, Das B, Faix JD, MacKenzie F, Decallonne
B, Hishinuma A, Lapauw B, Taelman P, Van Crombrugge P,Van den Bruel A, Velkeniers
B, Williams P, Thienpont LM on behalf for the IFCC Committee for Standardization of
Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT). IFCC report on global standardization of free thyroxine
immunoassays and its impact on future reference intervals. Will be submitted to Clin
Chem.
WG-SHbA2: 		
- Paleari R, Caruso D, Kaiser P, Arsene CG, Schaeffer-Reiss C, Van Dorsselaer A, Bissé
E, Ospina M, De Jesús VR, Wild B, Mosca A, on behalf of the IFCC Working Groupon Standardization of Hemoglobin A2 (WG-HbA2). Developing a reference system for
the IFCC standardization of HbA2. Clin Chim Acta (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.
cca.2016.05.023
WG-SCDT:- Standardisation and use of the alcohol biomarker carbohydrate-deficient transferrin(CDT) Helander, Wielders, Anton et alClin Chim Acta. 2016;459:19-24-

IFCC approved HPLC reference measurement procedure for the alcohol consumption
biomarker carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT): Its validation and useSchellenberg
Wielders Anton et alClin Chim Acta Epub doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.12.022

WG-cMSP:				
- Clinical Mass spectrometry proteomics (cMSP) for medical laboratory: what could be
the future? By Sylvain Lehmann, Cato Brede, Pierre Lescuyer, José A Cocho, Jérôme
Vialaret, Pauline Bros, Vincent Delatour, Christophe Hirtz and the IFFCC WG-cMSP iscurrently submitted for publication in CCA (Editor P Gillery).
WG-HAT:- Journal:Clinica Chimica Acta
Corresponding Author:Ingrid zegers
Co-Authors:Evanthia Monogioudi; Dana P Hutu; Gustavo Martos; Joanna Sheldon;
Heinz Schimmel; Pier Luigi Meroni;
Title:Towards standardisation of measurements for small-vessel associated vasculitis
WG-CSF:- Bjerke M, et al. Assessing the commutability of reference material formats for the
harmonization of amyloid beta measurements. Clin Chem Lab Med 2016.

44-

Pannee J, Gobom J, Shaw LM, Korecka M, Chambers EE, Lame M, Jenkins R, Mylott
W, Carrillo MC, Zegers I, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Portelius E. Round robin test on
quantification of amyloid-β 1-42 in cerebrospinal fluid by mass spectrometry. Alzheimers
Dement 2016;12(1):55-59.

-

The work of the IFCC WG-CSF has been summarized in a review paper that is submitted
to the CCA special issue:
Kuhlmann J, Andreasson U, Pannee J, Bjerke M, Portelius E, Leinenbach A, Bittner T,
Korecka M, Jenkins RG, Vanderstichele H, Stoops E, Lewczuk P, Shaw LM, Zegers
I, Schimmel h, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, on behalf of the IFCC Working Group on
Standardisation of CSF proteins (WG-CSF). CSF Aβ1-42 – an excellent but complicatedAlzheimer’s biomarker – a route to standardization. Submitted to CCA.

WG-SBMA:- Morris HA, Eastell R, Jorgensen NR, Cavalier E, Vasikaran S, Chubb SAP, Kanis JA,
Cooper C, Makris K, on behalf of the IFCC-IOF Working Group for Standardisation of Bone
Marker Assays (WG-BMA). Clinical usefulness of bone turnover marker concentrationsin osteoporosis. Clinica Chimica Acta 2016 Jun 30. pii: S0009-8981(16)30281-9. doi:
10.1016/j.cca.2016.06.036.
Ian Young, SD Chair and Joseph Passarelli, SD Secretary

EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION (EMD)COMMITTEES activities
Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum (C-CMBC); Chair: Evi Lianidou
1. The C-CMBC website was updated where general Information about the Course can befound at http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/emd-committees/c-cmbc/
2. The 8th Course on “Molecular Diagnostics for Beginners” was conducted in Tirgu Mures,
Romania, on December 5-10, 2016, in collaboration with the National Representative,
Dr. Ioanna Brudasca, President of the Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine(RALM).
3. Organization of a symposium in EuroMedlab 2017, entitled: “The Liquid Biopsy approach:
Following the tumor in peripheral blood”. The symposium will take place in June 2017
during Athens EuroMedlab 2017.
Analytical Quality (C-AQ), Chair: Egon Amann
1. A survey on national EQA services was conducted in 2014/2015. Based on this survey,
the “Directory of EQA Services” database was established and placed on the C-AQ
website for consultation by interested parties. This database requires occasional
updates and this was done in 2016, but the systematic update by contacting IFCC
Full Member National Societies and affiliated members and asking them for possible
changes, feedback and experiences is still pending. It is planned to replace the Directoryof EQA Services by the Proficiency Testing – External Quality Assurance Programs inLaboratory Medicine database (PTDB; see ptdb.ifcc.org) in 2017. PTDB was initiatedby Alexander Haliassos and was released as a prototype version for review by C-AQ
committee members in its first version on November 9, 2016. The present version is
not final and needs further refinement. C-AQ members find this database helpful whensearching for analytes. PTDB will replace the existing Directory of EQA Services on the
C-AQ website. PTDB will be maintained jointly by the IFCC Task Force on Proficiency
Testing (TF-PT) and C-AQ.
2. A minimum requirement EQA Setup Checklist has been prepared to assist countries toplan and design an EQA scheme. The EQA Setup Checklist is available on the C-AQ
web site. It is planned to expand the presently available information with additional, moredetailed procedures for the planning of a new EAQ scheme (for example, to achieve ISO
15189 accreditation).
3. A “Resource table for EQA” was established and placed in the C-AQ website at the end of
2015. This database is a compilation of relevant documents on pre- and post-analyticalsteps and other topics related to analytical quality. This database was reviewed in 2016
and found to be current and adequate. It should be re-reviewed in 2017.
4. Development of eLearning presentations on “Principles of EQA” and “Principles of IQC”.
Presentations on the above topics already exist on the C-AQ website. It is planned,
however, to expand such topics to offer suitable materials to the IFCC eAcademy. The
two “voice-over” presentations on IQC and EQA are still pending. David Ducroq of
45

5.

6.

7.

WEQAS has useful presentations on Traceability and Uncertainty for inclusion into C-AQ
Resources web site section and for eAcademy.
A joint C-AQ / C-CLM workshop entitled “What is the best strategy to achieve compliancewith QMS- and QC-requirements in the clinical laboratory?” was conducted at the IFCC
General Conference in Madrid in 2016. Feedback from participants of this workshop
was very positive. A report has been written for future reference and an article has been
published in the IFCC eNews, July-August 2016 issue for broader distribution of therelevant learnings to National Societies and other interested parties.
Egon Amann participated in the Biennial Scientific International Conference of the
Association of Clinical Chemists of Nigeria (ACCN) in Lagos from October 12-14, 2016,
a DQCML sponsored activity. Other IFCC officers in attendance were Maurizio Ferrari,
Graham Beastall, Mike Thomas and Catherine Sturgeon. EA moderated a workshop
entitled:What is the best strategy to achieve compliance with QMS- and QC-requirementsin the clinical laboratory? and delivered a lecture entitled: Standardization of laboratory
tests: Why is it needed and how is it done? The output of this workshop provided input
for the interactive workshop Quality challenges going forward: understanding the needsof Nigeria moderated by Cathie Sturgeon, Graham Beastall and Mabel Charles-Davies.
The conference was considered successful and a national QMS/QC-improvement
program was initiated by the ACCN.
PUBLICATION: Achieving compliance with QMS- and QC-requirements in the Clinicallaboratory: What is the best strategy? E. Amann, S. Yenice (joint C-AQ / C-CLM
publication) in the IFCC eNews/ LabMedica International August-September, 2016.

Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine (C-EBLM), Chair: Chris Florkowski
1. The EBLM Curriculum has been completed. This is intended to be used as a template
for allocation of topics for inclusion as units in the IFCC eAcademy.This was achieved
through collaboration of all members of the EBLM and discussed at the General Meetingin Madrid, where some refinements were suggested.
2. Submission of units to the IFCC eAcademy.At the time of writing, at least TWO units
have been uploaded to the IFCC eAcademy, together with key words and questions.
The Curriculum has been used to define relevant topics, which have been assigned
to individual EBLM members to work on using the Present.Me tool.It is anticipated toenlarge this in 2017.
3. Guideline appraisals (initiated by J Wils) – with a focus on endocrine areas is being
conducted. To date, EBLM members have participated in guideline appraisals, including
several on adrenal insufficiency, using the AGREE II instrument. Other guidelines,
including diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism and adrenal incidentaloma, havebeen circulated to the EBLM committee for review.Dr J Wils is collating the data, with aview to an eventual EBLM group publication.
4. A Questionnaire on EBLM resources and requirements for training has been formulated.
This has been developed by Dr K Capote and Dr N Gimenez and is undergoing pilot
testing before global circulation.IFCC CPD has agreed to support C-EBLM with the
distribution and eventual collation of the data.The goal is to present the data at the IFCCWorldlab in Durban, 2017 and to achieve a full publication.
5. C-EBLM website pages were updated in 2016.
6. Dr Hernan Taie (Argentina) continues to contribute his excellent Iberian Laboratory
Medicine Radio Station that is broadcasted in Spanish. C-EBLM members havecontributed to the programming of this effort and have provided several lectures. These
activities were presented at the Madrid meeting.
7. Dr C Florkowski presented at a symposium at the EFLM-UEMS conference in Warszawa,
Poland: POCT and clinical outcomes – quality of evidence.
8. Symposium on EBLM has been accepted at COLABIOCLI, 2017, Uruguay.Contributors:
46

K Capote; N Gimenez; H Fares-Taie.
Symposium on EBLM has been accepted at IFCC Worldlab, Durban 2017. Contributors:
all EBLM members.
10. PUBLICATIONS: Dr C Florkowski has been invited to submit a review to Critical reviewsin Laboratory Medicine on: POCT and clinical outcomes – quality of evidence.Other full
members of the C-EBLM will be recruited as co-authors.
9.

Clinical Laboratory Management (C-CLM), Chair: Sedef Yenice
1. C-CLM teamed up with C-AQ to produce a joint publication on “Developing Quality
Systems in the Clinical Laboratory” (Refs. Minutes of Face-to-Face Meeting/June 21,
2015, EuroMedLab Paris 2015, by C-CLM and Minutes in Paris, 22 June 2015, by
C-AQ). Target audiences of this monograph are developing countries. Sedef Yeniceprovided a detailed report with a gap analysis on the contents of previous published twomonographs and proposed a list of contents/themes along with prospective authors
from C-CLM on September the 13th, 2015. A chapter on Ethics has been contributed by
the Task Force on Ethics. It is planned to upload this document to the C-CLM website inJanuary 2017.
2. An interactive workshop on “What is the best strategy to achieve compliance with QMSand QC-requirements in the clinical laboratory?” was jointly conducted with C-AQ at the
IFCC General Conference on 20 March 2016, Hotel Auditorium, Madrid, Spain. A postimplementation report was submitted to EMD-EC on April 14, 2016, and the related
article was published in the July-August 2016 issue of IFCC’s eNews. (Ref. What is thebest strategy to achieve compliance with QMS- and QC-requirements in the clinicallaboratory? July-August 2016 issue of IFCC eNews, pages 9-13).
3. “Terms of Reference” of C-CLM were updated on the website on June 29, 2016.
4. Development of a training module on Leadership is in progress.
5. In order to complement the training module, a guide entitled “A TRAINING MANUAL
ON LEADERSHIP BASICS FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS” is being
prepared.C-CLM is currently working on the 2nd draft.
6. Sedef Yenice delivered a lecture on “Evolving clinical laboratory management throughimplementation of a risk assessment plan” on May 12, 2016, at the session on “Laboratory
Management”, analytical conference 2016 in Munich (10.05.2016-12.05.2016) www.gdch.
de/analyticaconf2016 and https://www.gdch.de/fileadmin/downloads/Veranstaltungen/
Tagungen/2016_Tagungen/Analytica_2016/analytica_conference_2016_web.pdf. MO
chaired the session “Laboratory Management” and gave a talk on “QMS Standards inthe medical laboratory (EN 15189, EN 17020, EN 17025, Rilibäk or SLIPTA)”.
7. Michael Orth delivered a lecture on “Direct-to-Consumer Testing: The Business with
Lifestyle Tests” on September 22, 2016, at the AACC Conference (https://www.aacc.
org/publications/cln/cln-stat/2016/september/1/the-consumer-angle-in-point-of-caretesting).
8. A symposium on “Improvement in Clinical Laboratory Services: Approaches to Adding
Value” has been accepted for the IFCC WorldLab, on October 25, 2017. C-CLM will, in
addition, conduct a satellite educational workshop entitled “Intelligent Clinical Laboratory
Management: Impacts on Quality System Improvement” at the IFCC WorldLab, on
October 22, 2017, Durban, South Africa.Application for partial funding through the
FSASP has been approved.
9. Sedef Yenice delivered a talk on “Patient-centric and value-based management at theclinical laboratory” during the National Biochemistry Congress of Turkish Biochemical
Society that was held on November 2-5, 2016, at Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas –Turkey.The abstract was published in the Turkish

47

Distance Learning (C-DL), Chair: Janet Smith
1. On-going approval of educational material for the website as it becomes available.
2. Development of the IFCC curriculum is ongoing.
3. Continuing development of the eAcademy in collaboration with the Committee on theInternet and e-Learning (C-IeL). The eAcademy development is going well. The second
phase was launched in March 2016 at the IFCC General Conference in Madrid. The third
phase, which will permit the issue of a certificate of completion of modules to thoseusing the eAcademy is currently under development by Insoft.
4. The mass spectrometry module continues to be developed by Dr Ronda Greaves andmaterial is gradually being added to the eAcademy on this topic.
5. A joint C-DL / C-IeL workshop on using the eAcademy to aid National Societies andindividual laboratory professionals in training and CPD programmes was conductedduring the IFCC General Conference in Madrid. We were pleased with the reception theworkshop received and for the support expressed by IFCC Officers for the work the twocommittees are undertaking.
6. Janet Smith has undertaken IFCC-VLP visits to Estonia and Romania in 2016 to speak
about the eAcademy.At both congresses, there was great support and enthusiasm forthe initiative.
7. The proposal for a joint EMD/CPD symposium on the eAcademy at the COLABIOCLI
Congress in Uruguay in September 2017 has been accepted.
8. To continue to collaborate with other EMD committees in the development of e-learning
modules. Most progress has been made by the C-EBLM. The first modules of a series
on EBLM have been published on the website.
9. Identification of relevant presentations from IFCC and National Society conferences
for recording to populate the eAcademy is on-going. It was decided at meetings in
Madrid that we should concentrate on the preparation of short modules, on priority
topics, prepared by recognised experts, using the present.me software. We are gratefulto those experts who have prepared modules which have already been uploaded to theeAcademy as well as to those currently preparing material for us.
10. We have also provided links to high quality webinars produced by other organisations.
Most recently, we have approved links to webinars on aspects of gastrointestinal
disorders, prepared by Petr Kocna, a member of C-IeL
11. Liaison with the IFCC Office continues over communication with and permissions from
authors whose work is to be published on or linked from the IFCC website, as well as on
website and IT issues.
Education in the Use of Biomarkers in Diabetes (C-EUBD), Chair: Garry John
1. Annual Inter-study Laboratory Network has been accomplished with goodoutcome.
2. Data gathering of Questionnaire has been completed and the data is being refined for
publication.
3. EurA1c project: bloods have been circulated around Europe.
4. A grant from the UK Economic and Social Research Council has been awarded toorganise a training meeting for developing countries.
5. WHO/IFCC Handbook has been completed and is awaiting WHO approval.
6. Helped develop and organise a Satellite Meeting of IFCC EuroMedLab Athens, June
2017.		7. Developing a Satellite Meeting for Durban WorldLab. The outline programme is in place.

48

WORKING GROUPS activities
Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety (WG-LEPS), Chair: Laura Sciacovelli
1. A Consensus Conference on “Harmonization of quality indicators in laboratory medicine:
two years later” that aimed to approve the Model of Quality Indicators (MQI) to be usedin clinical laboratories over the world, and to define the criteria to evaluate the quality
indicator data (quality specifications) was held on 26 October 2016 in Padova, Italy. A
scientific paper will be published with all findings of the meeting.
2. Quality indicator results of participating laboratories collected through dedicated website(www.ifcc-mqi.com) has been written up and a scientific paper has been sent to the
Journal Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine for publication.
3. Collaboration with other international Working Groups/Task forces in order to define
quality specifications for quality indicators.The EFLM WG-PRE and WG-POST havebeen involved and attended the Consensus Conference.
th

Cancer Genomics (WG-CG), Chair: Jason Park, Co-Chair: Paolo Fortina
1. The membership of the working group has been expanded to increase non-US members.
2. The outline of the first document has been completed and is currently in preparation for
publication. A presentation at the IFCC General Conference was made by Jason Parkand Paolo Fortina on “Cancer Genomics: Revolution in Medical Practice”.
3. A symposium on Clinical Cancer Genomics was held at the APFCB Congress in Taipei,
November 2016. The speakers were as follows: Paolo Fortina (Thomas Jefferson
University, USA); David Wang (UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA); Jason Park (UTSouthwestern Medical Center, USA)
4. Financial support for the working group has been received from Softgenetics andAffymetrix. Additional support is being solicited for future activities.
Harmonisation of Interpretive Comments External Quality Assurance (WG-ICQA) - Chair:
Samuel Vasikaran
1. Harmonised goals for EQA of IC have been developed.
2. Standard methods of assessment, nomenclature and marking scales for EQA of IC havebeen devised.
3. Input from similar schemes in Histopathology has been obtained.
4. A position paper has been published: Assuring the quality of interpretative comments
in clinical chemistry. Vasikaran S, Sikaris K, Kilpatrick E, French J, Badrick T, Osypiw J,
Plebani M; IFCC WG Harmonization of Quality Assessment of Interpretative Comments.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2016; 54(12): 1901-1911.5.
5. Proposal for a Workshop on Interpretative Commenting at IFCC WorldLab 2017, Durban
has been accepted by the Congress Scientific Committee.
SPECIAL PROJECTS activities
IFCC Visiting Lecturer Programme (IFCC-VLP), Chair: Elizabeth Frank
There has been an overwhelming response to this programme. However, due to paucity offunds we had to decline a few countries. Now with Abbott sponsoring the programme in 2017
we will be able to reach many more nations. In 2016, 13 VLPs were approved. Details of VLPs
approved in 2016 are attached in a separate file.
Working Group on Flow Cytometry (WG-FC), Chair: Ulrich Sack
1. The annual flow cytometry workshop took place from October 26 to 28 in St Petersburg,
Russia. The established principle was continued: intense interaction between participants
and trainers; 3 topics a day with short introduction and extensive practical exercises;
duration of 3 days; and emerging and relevant scientific topics with clinical impact fordaily practice.
49

2.
3.
4.

The first Latin American Course was offered in Cordoba/Argentina, March 9 to 11 in
2016.
The webpage has been updated, and new members entered the working group. The
homepage is updated bi-monthly.
Publication. A report of the activities of the working group was published in the IFCC
eNews, Sept/Oct 2016.

Developing Quality Competence in Medical Laboratories (DQCML), Chair: Michael Thomas
1. A brief synopsis of the aims and objectives, resources, successes and future work of the
DQCML Project was presented by Michael Thomas within the EMD Session at the IFCC
General Conference, March 2016.
2. On-going engagement and collaboration with Chairs of EMD Committees and the VLP
Programme by seeking their support in the delivery of Quality Systems initiatives andutilising when appropriate their expertise and resource in the delivery of programmes
under the DQCML Project.
3. To seek to engage and assist IFCC Members in the development of Quality Systems intheir countries through the delivery of educational lectures, seminars and workshops,
specifically:a.
To follow-up contact with the President of the Association of Clinical Biochemistryof Sri Lanka and to identify the needs of laboratories in Sri Lanka for accreditation (ISO15189) and support the organisation and delivery of a 2-day accreditation workshop
in 2016.
b.
To follow-up contact the President of the Ukrainian Society of Clinical Laboratory
Diagnostics to identify the needs of laboratories in Ukraine and formulate a programmeplan for delivery in 2016.This matter remains outstanding due to changes in National
officers locally and will be carried forward to the work plan for 2017.
4.

5.

6.

7.

8.
9.

50

To ensure that any presentations delivered under the auspices of the DQCML Project
can subsequently be made available through appropriate electronic means via the IFCC
web site and eAcademy. Hilary Lumano has been approached to record a presentationof his experiences of the RQA Zambia project for publication on the IFCC web site underthe eAcademy
Continued support is being offered for the EQA Zambia Project being led by Dr Renze
Bais, for example in the provision of logistics and support for an educational seminarin 2016/2017. DQCML continues to update Renze Bais on the project’s progress. It is
hoped that Hilary Lumano will record a presentation of his experiences of the project for
publication on the IFCC web site under the eAcademy.
To determine those activities that may be appropriate in supporting the ambitions ofMalawi to develop a programme of Quality Competence following an exploratory visit
and report by the IFCC Past President, Graham Beastall in January 2016. Graham
Beastall undertook a scoping visit to Malawi to better understand the needs of this newnational Member. It is likely that they will submit an application for a DQCML project in
the future and this should be encouraged and included in the work plan for 2017.
By invitation, a one-day symposium was delivered as part of the 6th Scientific Conferenceof the Association of Clinical Chemists of Nigeria on 13th October 2016 on Sustaining
Quality Practice and Process in Developing Countries. The presentation is likely to
encourage a further application from the Nigerian Association in 2017.
Michael Thomas was interviewed for the El Microscopio radio programme.
Publications: A short article on the DQCML Project was published in the SeptemberOctober issue of IFCC eNews and an abridged version appeared in LabMedica International
in November 2016.

IFCC Mentoring Programme, Chair: Donald Young
The number of Mentors has been expanded to 24 and that of Associates to 36. Attempts towork with CLSI to recruit Associates have been deferred by CLSI several times.
The pool of Spanish-speaking mentors has been enlarged with Rosa Sierra Amor’s
endorsement of using the Spanish-speaking experts as potential mentors although mosthave not yet been invited to participate and are not included in the number above. Then
Associates from Latin America must be identified. In 2017 the Spanish-speaking experts will
be asked if that would also wish to become mentors.
A major difficulty for the programme has been to get Associates to respond to requests fromeither the Director or their selected mentors. The number of Mentors needs to be increased
to expand number of interests of associates that can be addressed. As a routine practiceindividuals who have participated in the IFCC PSEP/PMEP programmes are now invited to
become Associates.The IFCC Secretary has agreed to make available the e-mail addressesof IFCC’s Register of Experts so they can be consulted directly without the need to go
through the IFCC Office.Agreement of the individual experts will be sought.
Leslie Lai, Chair EMD

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DIVISION (CPD)
In 2016, the following members served on the CPD Executive Committee: Khosrow Adeli(CA, Chair), Edgard Delvin (CA, Vice Chair/Public Relations Coordinator), Peter Vervaart (AU,Publications/Distance Learning Coordinator), Tahir Pillay (ZA, News Editor), G. L. Kovács (HU,
Editor eJIFCC), and Bruce Jordan (CH Corporate Representative). Janine Grant (AU, Website
Editor), Maria del Carmen Pasquel (EQ, WG- IANT Chair), Ellis Jacobs (US, IFCC Labs are
Vital representative) and Anthony Newman (NL, Publications consultant) were invited to attend
the CPD meeting in Madrid, on occasion of the IFCC General Conference 2016. A Call for
nominations was issued to replace Dr Peter Vervaart as Secretary/Publications Distance
Learning Coordinator and Dr Bruce Jordan Member / Corporate Representative, who completed
their second term in office.
The following is a summary list of the key CPD activities in 2016:• Two face-to-face committee meetings were held in 2016: Madrid, (ES) in March, andBudapest-Pécs (HU) in September.
• Informal CPD meeting in Philadelphia on occasion of AACC.
• Major improvements have been implemented for both the IFCC eNewsletter and theeJournal. Publication formats as well as news/scientific content have been enhanced
considerably over the past year.
• A new contract with Insoft has been signed for IFCC publications – eJIFCC and eNews,
allowing to publish up to a total of 600 pages/year.
• The release of a new IFCC eNews Flash, a completely new editorial product, designed
and launched.
• The release of a new innovative IFCC App fully designed and launched.
• IFCC social presence (FB, LinkedIn, Twitter) is lively and well managed, with a slow but
constant increase in contacts.
• Promotion of Distance Learning Opportunities for Member Societies & their Membership
via eAcademy continues.
• Increased communication with the Spanish speaking countries with pilot project
participation into AMARA collaboration initiative.
• Enhancement of IFCC Organization’s Public Relations/Visibility.
51• New initiatives to promote the image of the IFCC to its individual members, to thebiomedical industry and to the worldwide health care community at large.
• Focus on improvement of internal communications within IFCC and its Member Societies.
• Contribution to IFCC congresses with organization of CPD Sessions & Symposia in 2016
(and in 2017).
• The Electronic Journal of IFCC (eJIFCC) has been accepted for indexing by MEDLINE/
PUBMED. Most recent issues of the journal are now available online on PubMed central.
• First communications to list eJIFCC into Google Scholar, Thomson Reuters, Scopus, andWeb of Sciences, have been sent.
Committee on Public Relations (C-PR) – Chair: Edgard DelvinCommittee Meeting: A C-PR meeting was held in Madrid, to which most members attended.
2016 Survey: A survey directed towards the individual members of the National Societies andRegional Federations proposed by the C-PR members was conducted and results presented
at the GC.
Use of IFCC documents by National Society Members: Improvement of the traceability(downloads, dwell time, frequency) on the use of the documents produced by the different
IFCC functional units by the members of the National Societies and Regional Federations has
been identified as a must by the C-PR since this would allow increasing the visibility of IFCC.
Participation in the 1 International Congress on Personalized Health Care: This event
was held in Montreal in June 2016. Prof. Delvin made a presentation on the added-value oflaboratory medicine. This participation is part of the endeavour to promote the image of the
IFCC to its individual members, to the biomedical industry and to the world-wide health care
community at large.
Poster: In addition to the new posters created with Bruce Jordan’s support, Magdalena Krintus
developed a new standing poster for the promotion of IFCC. It was presented at EFLM meetingin Warsaw with an excellent feedback from public.
Labs Are Vital Consortium: The Board, chaired by Michael Oellerich, has held 2 regularconference calls for the Board Meeting, to which Prof. Delvin participated as Clinical Editor on
behalf of the IFCC. The LRV program has been revitalized and has posted 30 or more Podcasts
or videos since February 2016 at http://www.labsarevital.com/. El Microscopio provided anumber of them.
stCommittee on Internet and e-Learning (C-IeL) – Chair: Peter Vervaart
Committee Meeting: A C-IeL meeting was held in Madrid, followed by one joint with C-DL.CIeL continues to work closely with the C-DL and Insoft in developing electronic/distance learningmaterials and access for IFCC members utilising the ‘e-Academy’.A call for nominations has
been issued to replace Dr Freggiaro.
Publications: Documents of Committees and Working Groups: the database (available
on the website) continues to be updated as publications are forthcoming; Silver Book has
been published in print (and as an eBook); Conference proceedings. Bergmeyer conference
proceedings published in Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation and on
IFCC website; IFCC GC proceeding are available on IFCC website.
Website: The website continues to develop in ‘real time’ therefore there is no plan at this stage
for a Phase II launch (other than the eAcademy). It continues to be a major communication
tool, a repository of resources, a window for IFCC members and Functional Units and a hosting
platform for IFCC initiatives and projects
Several major and minor updates have been done in 2016. Policy and Procedure for IFCC
functional unit web pages have been prepared and final version will be ready for circulation in
short.
Databases: The NPU, Register of Experts, and Publications databases are the active databases
52

currently on the website. An eAcademy membership database is being developed with theeAcademy.
Distance Learning Programs and eAcademy: The second phase of the eAcademy waslaunched in Madrid. Siemens has agreed sponsorship of live webinars.There is ongoing
publication of content as approved by C-DL. The distance learning pages of the website
continue to develop and we are now able to offer access to a significant amount of content,
which has been reviewed by the C-DL. Jointly the C-IeL. C-DL will continue to work on thedevelopment of the eAcademy. Total items published between June 2015 (launch) and Sept
2016: 46 webinars; 50 external links. Webinars in preparation include the following topics: A
series on immunoassay; Uncertainty and traceability; BNP/NTProBNP, GH/IGF1; The R-A-A
system; The first three of a comprehensive set of modules on serum proteins and immunology.
Working Group on Electronic Journal of the IFCC (WG-eJIFCC) – Chair: Gabor Kovacs
Major accomplishment:Officially published online by PubMed in October 2016
Next steps: Indexing in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Sciences-Thomson Reuters
followed by IF attribution. The ejIFCC collection is available at: http://www.ifcc.org/IFCCCOMMUNICATIONS-PUBLICATIONS-DIVISION-(CPD)/IFCC-PUBLICATIONS/EJIFCC(JOURNAL)/E-JOURNAL-VOLUMES/
Membership
Dr. Rajiv Erasmus (ZA) discontinued his membership in the editorial board.
New editorial board members: Gary Myers (US), Jillian R. Tate (AU), Ronda Greaves (AU), János
Kappelmayer (HU), Allan Jaffe (US).
• VOLUME 27 no 1/2016: The issue was dedicated to Harmonization of ClinicalLaboratory Results. Guest Editors: Jillian R. Tate (AU), Gary L. Myers (US): http://www.
ifcc.org/ifcc-news/archive-2016/2016-02-09-ejifcc-vol-27-n%C2%B0-1/- Foreword of the editor - Gábor L. Kovács- Harmonization of clinical laboratory test results Jillian R. Tate, Gary L. Myers- Harmonization of clinical laboratory information – current and future strategies Mario
Plebani- Harmonization initiatives in Europe Ferruccio Ceriotti- The International Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results (ICHCLR)– a pathway for harmonization Gary L. Myers, W. Greg Miller- Harmonization of clinical laboratory test results: the role of the IVD industry Dave
Armbruster, James Donnelly- Deriving harmonised reference intervals – global activities Jillian R. Tate, Gus Koerbin,
Khosrow Adeli- Critical risk results – an update on international initiatives Lam Q., Ajzner E., Campbell
C.A., Young A.
- Analytical challenges in the genetic diagnosis of Lynch syndrome – difficult detection ofgerm-line mutations in sequences surrounding homopolymers Castillejo M.I., Castillejo
A., Barbera V.M., Soto J.L.
- The first green diagnostic centre and laboratory building in Indonesia Joseph B. Lopez,
Endang Hoyaranda, Ivan Priatman• VOLUME 2/2016: The issue was dedicated to Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the
Hungarian Society of Laboratory Medicine. Guest editor: Janos Kappelmayer (HU),
president-elect of the Hungarian Society: http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-news/archive2016/2016-04-20-ejifcc-vol-27-n%C2%B0-2/- Foreword of the editor - Gábor L. Kovács- The Hungarian Society of Laboratory Medicine – serving patients for 70 years - János
Kappelmayer53

- Biochemical markers of myocardial damage - Geza S. Bodor- Non-invasive assessment of viability in human embryos fertilized in vitro - Gábor L.
Kovács, Gergely Montskó, Zita Zrínyi, Nelli Farkas, Ákos Várnagy, József Bódis- The clinical value of suPAR levels in autoimmune connective tissue disorders - Barna
Vasarhelyi, Gergely Toldi, Attila Balog- Deficiencies of the natural anticoagulants – novel clinical laboratory aspects ofthrombophilia testing - Zsuzsanna Bereczky, Réka Gindele, Marianna Speker, Judit
Kállai- Interpretation of blood microbiology results – function of the clinical microbiologist Katalin Kristóf, Júlia Pongrácz- Clinical laboratories – production factories or specialized diagnostic centers - János
Kappelmayer, Judit Tóth.
- Adding value in the postanalytical phase - Éva Ajzner- Book review — “Patient safety” - Oswald Sonntag• VOLUME 3/2016: The issue was focused around New Markers of Cardiac Diseases.
Guest editor: Allan S. Jaffe (US): http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-news/archive-2016/2016-0801-ejifcc-vol-27-n%C2%B03/- Foreword of the editor - Gábor L. Kovács- The world is changing – are we ready? - Allan S. Jaffe- 3
Analytical issues with natriuretic peptides – has this been overly simplified? Alexander G. Semenov, Alexey G. Katrukha- Can natriuretic peptides be used to guide therapy? - Antoni Bayes-Genis, Josep
Lupón, Allan S. Jaffe- High sensitivity cardiac troponin assays – how to implement them successfully Frederick K. Korley, Allan S. Jaffe- Soluble ST2 and galectin-3: what we know and don’t know analytically - Thomas
Mueller, Benjamin Dieplinger- ST2 and galectin-3: ready for prime time? - Wouter C. Meijers, A. Rogier van der Velde,
Rudolf A. de Boer
- Emerging and disruptive technologies - Larry J. Kricka• VOLUME 4/2016: The issue was dedicated to Recent Developments in the ClinicalApplication of Mass Spectrometry. Guest editor: Ronda Greaves (AU): http://www.ifcc.
org/ifcc-news/archive-2016/2016-12-22-ejifcc-vol-27-n%C2%B04/)- Foreword of the editor - Gábor L. Kovács- Recent advances in the clinical application of mass spectrometry - Guest Editor:
Ronda F. Greaves- Mass spectrometry applications for toxicology - Michael M. Mbughuni, Paul J. Jannetto,
Loralie J. Langman- Mass spectrometry analysis of dried blood spots across the total testing process Rosita Zakaria, Katrina J. Allen, Jennifer J. Koplin, Peter Roche, Ronda F. Greaves- Serum insulin-like growth factor I quantitation by mass spectrometry: insights forprotein quantitation - Richard Kin Ting Kam, Chung Shun Ho, Michael Ho Ming Chan
- Progress in metabolomics standardisation and its significance in future clinicallaboratory medicine- Daniel A. Dias, Therese Koal National Exernal Quality Assurance
Program Pakistan – a milestone in proficiency testing - Muhammad Usman Munir,
Aamir Ijaz
- Letter to the editor – Successful ISO 15189 accreditation in Bethzatha Advanced
Medical Laboratory in Ethiopia - Nardos Abebe- Book review – “Cardiovascular Disease and Laboratory Medicine” - Joseph B. Lopez- Book review – “Critical Care and Laboratory Medicine” - Joseph B. Lopez
54

Working Group on IFCC News (WG-eNews), Chair: Tahir Pillay
The WG membership consists of representatives from Spain, Serbia, Morocco, Nigeria, South
Africa, Greece, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Poland, Slovenia,
Tunisia, Uruguay & Vietnam.Additionally, there are National Society liaisons from Australasia,
Chile, Serbia, UK, USA, Paraguay, Spain, Taiwan, Pakistan, Latvia & Vietnam.
A working group meeting was last held in Paris on 22 June 2015. The next one is likely to takeplace during EuroMedLab 2017 in Athens.
The newsletter provides regular updates of the structure and strategy of the IFCC, Working
groups, and Divisions and several of these have now appeared. In recent months, we havetaken a decision to insert more hyperlinks to documents to limit the number of pages in each
edition. Occasional articles have also been published in Spanish and French. The schedule of
6 issues per year has been maintained with good content.
The eNews collection is available at: http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-communications-publicationsdivision-(cpd)/ifcc-publications/enewsletter/enewsletter-volumes/
New IFCC e-News FLASH was Launched in May
o Provides quick updates on IFCC activities to keep open the communication channelo In 2016: 5 issues + a Special one - on occasion of President elect electiono From 2017: 6 issues/year + special issues for breaking news!
o 15.000 professional readers all over the word
o Bi monthly email distributiono The eNews Flash collection is available at: http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-communicationspublications-division-(cpd)/ifcc-publications/enewsletter/enews-flash-archive/
Relationship with LabMedica International
LMI prints a selection of the articles. The eNews editor is on the editorial board of LabMedica
Working Group – Spanish (Ibero-American) Nomenclature and Translations – Chair: Mariadel Carmen Pasquel
Membership: new members are participating into the WG activities representing all Ibero
American IFCC countries. The RIA section of IFCC website is continuously updated and aselection of presentations given at the IFCC GC in Madrid were translated into Spanish, andpublished on the website.
New programs and initiatives are planned, mainly focused on updating the RIA section of thewebsite and on the next congress to be held in Punta del Este, UY, in 2017.
DiV, Diagnostico in Vitro has been renewed, restyling it in accordance with eNews. Three issues
have been published in 2016. DiV main sections are: Editorial, News and Updates, Scientific
Articles, Letters to the Editor, Young Scientists corner, Radio Interview El Microscopio.
The DiV collection is available at: http://www.ifcc.org/div/
El Microscopio
Programmes are regularly broadcasted and some of them are in English, for a broader circulation.
This successful initiative is in search of additional funding and tools for promotional purposes.
Corporate Member Activities - Dr. Bruce Jordan
Bruce Jordan (Roche Diagnostics) has been a very active participant in the CPD EC and has
provided great support for IFCC public relations. His recent activities have included: New IFCC posters that were displayed on occasion of the Madrid GC
 Supporting IFCC CPD meeting logistics at IFCC GC in Madrid Supporting the IFCC Specialized Conference on Biomarkers in Alzheimer Disease(Mexico City, 20 May 2016)th

Khosrow Adeli, CPD Chair
55

Task Forces
Task Force on Ethics (TF-E)
Achievements during 2016:
Produced a chapter on Ethics for the IFCC Handbook, in final editing stages now. Was submitted
to Leslie Lai January 2016 for online IFCC training/teaching handbook entitled “Essentials ofClinical Laboratory Management in Developing Regions”; Gronowski presented lecture entitled“Ethics in Laboratory Medicine:
Using “Pearls” as an innovative teaching method” which was presented at the General
Conference meeting Madrid 2016; Created 3 ethics teaching modules “Pearls” for Clinical
Chemistry Trainee Council website.
Plans for 2017:
Updating white paper on publications ethics on the IFCC website with more links to regional andlocal resources links still in process; Create Ethics “toolbox” for Member Societies (starting with
example COI and code of ethics from member societies);Create Pearl on Ethical considerationsof biobanking; Create Pearl on Ethical cases in laboratory medicine; Draft an IFCC newsletter
article on TF accomplishments and future plans.
Ann Gronowski (Chair)

Task Force on Paediatric Laboratory Medicine (TF-PLM)
Achievements for 2016:
Planning for XIV ICPLM in Durban ZA: venue, Symposia topics, chairs and co-chairs determined.
Financial support still difficult to find, mainly because there is little paediatric expertise in Africawith very few children’s hospitals. Industry support in Africa is sorely lacking. Attempts togenerate financial support from aid organisations and the UN/WHO have not met with good
response. The most common response is no response; Circulation of Survey Monkey regarding
laboratory management of paediatric critical risk results. Report presented in Madrid 2016;
Further discussion regarding Alkaline Phosphatase replacement therapy and ALP reference
intervals; Discussion with Prof. Ichihara of Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL)
regarding collaboration in regard to reference interval development held in Paris 2015; Discussion
with Communications and Publications Division (CPD) regarding p(a)ediatric focused issueof eJIFCC; Four webinars regarding reference intervals in childhood are being prepared for
eAcademy of the IFCC. Also, a curriculum for paediatric clinical chemistry is being prepared forthe e-Academy with a September finish date.
Michael Metz (Chair)

Task Force on Pharmacogenomics (TF-PG)
Achievements in 2016:
Organisational:
Organizing Eu-PIC/IFCC/ESPT network meeting (Rotterdam (May 26-27); Further collaboration
with the IFCC C-MD (chair: Debs Payne) on Expertcenters Pharmacogenetics and disseminationof knowledge; Investigating organization of a PGx seminar in Washington, involving/ accessiblefor US Congress members (with AACC PM Division); Extend the TF-PG with one young scientist;
TF-PG meeting in Madrid during General Conference (March)
56

Education:
Organize a PGx Workshop at the IFCC 2016 Madrid meeting; Organizing speakers and topics
for Athens 2017 EuroMedlab and Durban 2017 Worldlab for updating IFCC members on latest
PGx developments Research; Investigate 2016 grant opportunities with IFCC as partner (EuPIC May 26)
Guideline development:
Publish guideline paper on CYP2D6/psychiatry in collaboration with EPA; Publish a guideline
paper on standards for PGx testing; Investigate the feasibility of a guideline paper of CYP2D6/
tamoxifen and with the European Society for Oncology; Reevaluate and update TPMT guideline
for publication; Investigate the feasibility of a guideline paper as follow up to the ESC guidelines
on clopidogrel/CYP2C19 testing recommendations; Investigating further collaborations with
IUPHAR, Genomic medicine Alliance and IATDMCT (guidelines)
Expected publications 2016:
Comment EHJ on ESC guidelines involving CYP2C19 testing/ clopidogrel; Guideline for
Capecitabine/DPYD testing with the European Soc Oncology; Guideline for TPMT/azathioprine
testing; Guideline on PGx testing procedures Points for attention of IFCC Executive Board:
Approval to extend the TF-PG with one additional member, being a young scientist, currently
missing from this committee.
Publications
Pharmacogenetic Allele Nomenclature: International Workgroup Recommendations for Test
Result Reporting. Various, Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Oct 19. doi: 10.1002/cpt.280; European
Society Cardiology (ECS) Guidelines for management of ACS on clopidogrel: a conflict with
FDA and EMA recommendations? Various.
Ron van Schaik (Chair)

Task Force on Chronic Kidney Disease (TF-CKD) (joint with WASPaLM)
Achievements in 2016:
Meeting between Chair and EB liaison in Philadelphia, August 2016; TF meeting held in
Philadelphia, August 2016 (Minutes available); Future programme of activities being discussedwith Members; Need to update membership recognized; Two publications on national CKD
guidelines arising from TF encouragement; Lecture in Lagos, Nigeria, October given based on
TF past achievements; Symposium In APFCB Taipei, November 2016 organised by previous
Chair
Plans for 2017:
TF meeting at EuroMedLab, Athens in June; Open meeting on CKD at EuroMedLab, Athens inJune; Symposium on kidney diseases at EuroMedLab, Athens in June
Comment:
TF-CKD has had a quiet year following the change of Chair; Since August there has been
activity and plans are in place for 2017; This is a joint TF with WASPaLM, although there is little
or no contribution from WASPaLM; There are several Corresponding Members who are doing
useful projects in their own countries and TF-CKD is the ‘glue’ that holds these together; TFCKD is one of the longest established TF. 2017 will be an important year for it to see if it canregain momentum
Flavio F Alcantara (Chair)

Task Force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)
Achievements during 2016:
Update to membership of core group; Now 35 Corresponding Members and growing; Regular57

meetings and discussions by social media; Publication of Research Guide in both text andwebinar (e-Academy) format; TF meeting held during General Conference in Madrid in March
2016; Session on scientific writing in Harare, Zimbabwe in June 2016; Session in Lagos, Nigeria
in October 2016; Open workshop on the YS workforce planned for Taipei in November 2016;
Symposium planned at ACBICON in Mangaluru, India in December; Complimentary Educational
Webinar: ISO Accreditation: New Trends and Global Differences – September 2016; ProjectAward from FEN to establish ‘Lab Surfing’ – see www.lab-surfing.com; Regular updates to the
TF-YS pages on the IFCC website
Plans for 2017:
TF meeting and open session at EuroMedLab Athens, June 2017; Symposium at WorldLab
Durban, October 2017; Collaboration with WASPaLM to support YS session at WASPaLM
congress in Japan, November 2017, Further webinars (TBA); Promotion of ‘Lab Surfing’,
Research Guide
Pradeep Kumar Dabla (Chair)

Task Force on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Biomarkers (TF-CB)
Prof. Jordi Ordoñez-LLanos, MD, PhD is completing his second term at the end of 2016. Heproposed Dr Fred Apple as the new Chair among the TF-CB members and expressed his
willingness to continue his service in the TF-CB as a consultant, to aid to the new Chair in his
first service period. Dr Apple accepted to serve and IFCC EB approved him as the new chair of
the TF-CB. A call for nominations has been issued to appoint four TF-CB members positions.
The Chair suggested to be given freedom to nominate as Consultants, clinicians and laboratorians,
provided wide geographic distribution is respected. The TF-CB has several on-going projects
that require both of the full work and complicity of the members. The complicity will be readilyreached if the members to be appointed are well-experienced in the TF-CB topics.
The main aim of the TF-CB in the evaluated period (2011-2016) was to educate on cardiac
biomarkers; during this period high sensitive cardiac troponin assays were introduced in theclinical practice. Given the characteristics of these assays, the TF-CB decided to devoid its
efforts to educate on these assays. The results were the mentioned manuscripts as well as
specific educational materials available at the IFCC website.
Jordi Ordoñez Llanos (Chair)

Task Force on Point of Care Testing (TF-POCT)
Achievements in 2016:
TF met in March on occasion of the IFCC General Conference and discussed a variety ofissues, especially the potential to have a PoCT meeting in Durban attached to WorldLaband development/update of documents. Several teleconferences were held to develop an
appropriate program and identify appropriate speakers.
The cost of satellite meetings was raised at discussion time with some countries reporting
costs associated with going to a conference make it prohibitive; efforts have been considerable
in order to raise sponsorship money to make the satellite PoCT Meeting possible in Durban;
the program was developed in order to rest both local people and international participants.
Talks will be predominantly given by TF members to reduce meeting overheads and make thispossible.
Participants who register for the main meeting will receive free registration to the PoCT satellite
meeting. TF acknowledge contribution of corporate members to make the satellite possibile.
A meeting was held at AACC meeting in Philadelphia involving any members who wereattending AACC. This group was particularly interested in developing a document on blood58

gases, template should be available on IFCC website at the end of 2017.
The group chaired by Cynthia Bowman on “How Glucose Meters be evaluated for critical care”
has been very active as well.
Rosy Tirimacco (Chair)

Task Force on Proficiency Testing (TF-PT)
Organization, history and previous achievements
The TF-PT is “a multidisciplinary effort in the analysis and the exploration of the Proficiency
Testing issues. This could lead to the establishment of specialized schemes under the hospices
and recommendations of the IFCC and could greatly enhance and help to the prevalence of themethods derived from the work of the federation and to the harmonization of laboratory results.”
The main project of the TF-PT is the creation of an online database - web application
accessible via web browsers but also via specific applications for the major mobile platforms
with much more functionalities and ease of use. The roots of this database will be the analytes(tests, measurands) that will be filed with all possible synonyms (one of them will be the “official”
as proposed from the Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU) committee of the IFCC C-SD)
as also as the methods (assays, instruments, reagents etc) also with all possible synonyms.
Another part of the DB, maintained with the cooperation of the IFCC committee for Analytical
Quality (C-AQ) and of EQALM, will be the PT providers section containing all their contact
information, their programs with the analytes, frequencies, type of statistics, commutability ofcontrol materials, their accreditation or certification status etc.
During 2014 the TF-PT had his kick-off meeting at the WorldLab 2014 in Istanbul, afterward
the chair of the TF had a meeting with the board of EQALM in Toulouse at the end of October
2014 in order to request a close cooperation and the participation of EQALM to the TF-PT. Early
October 2015, TF-PT and EQALM agreed to co-organize a symposium on EQA issues at thenext EuroMedLab Athens 2017.
Moreover at the EuroMedLab 2015 congress in Paris the members of the TF-PT had theirsecond annual meeting. The result of this meeting was the production of two draft documents:
one entitled “Exploration and Clarification of Specifications for the TF-PT Project” containing
analytically the terminology of the project, and one entitled “Webpage IFCC Market Place Forum
Supply and Demand EQA” describing the basic workflow diagram of the proposed applicationdatabase with various examples in a table form.
InSoft, the IT provider of the IFCC, appointed in November 2014, using the preliminary
workflow and schematic of the database - web application that was finalized during the meetingof the TF at the EuroMedLab 2015 in Paris, started the implementation of this project.
Achievements during 2016
During the first months of 2016 InSoft continued the development of the Database project anda functional prototype has been presented at the Madrid General Conference of IFCC. During
this meeting the Chair of the TF-PT presented an interactive workshop entitled “Meeting theclients with the producers on Proficiency Testing of rare analytes” describing the aims, theprojects, and the prototype of the online database - web application. The presentation can befound at: http://www.ifcc.org/media/412855/S6.12.Haliassos_WS_GC2016.pdf. Moreover, at the
Madrid General Conference, the members of the TF-PT had their third annual meeting. Following
this meeting the TF-PT chair in cooperation with Amann Egon, chair of the Analytical Quality(C-AQ) committee, prepared two mails, approved afterwards by the President of IFCC, to be sent
automatically by the database - web application when this project will be rolled out, to the scientificcommunity. These mails will invite the PT-EQA providers to cooperate for this project and registeror update the data of their organizations in the database. Moreover, will request the cooperation of
the National Representatives of the IFCC in order to spread the word about the functionalities of thedatabase - web application project to the PT-EQA providers of their countries.
59

During the fall of 2016 the chair of TF-PT participated at the EQALM EB meeting (Barcelona,
October 13 & 14 , 2016) where was finalized the participation and the help of the EQALM
members for the implementation, updating and maintenance of the TF-PT database,especially the “P”roviders section. The final details of the scientific program for the co-organizedsymposium on “EQA-PT issues” at the next EuroMedLab Athens 2017 had been discussed
during this meeting.
The roll out of the “P”roviders database by InSoft was accomplished at the end of 2016, andthe database can be found at the URL: http://ptdb.ifcc.org.
During the last quarter of the year another four (4) corresponding members, nominated either
by National Societies (3) or by Corporate Members (1), had been added to the TF-PT.
thth

Plans for 2017
After the implementation of the “P”roviders database by InSoft the development of the“A”nalytes section will be started adding all the common analytes from the already registered
EQA-PT providers.
Also during the winter of 2017 the next meeting of the TF-PT members is planned byteleconference. The fourth face to face annual meeting of the TF-PT members will beorganized during the EuroMedLab Athens 2017, as well as the symposium on EQA-PT issues
co-organized with the EQALM and entitled: “External quality assurance - just a necessary evil
or a valuable tool in laboratory management?”.
Alexander Haliassos (Chair)

FOUNDATION FOR EMERGING NATIONS - FEN

The Foundation for Emerging Nations (FEN) was established under Swiss law as a non-profit
making charitable trust, registered on 15th February 2016. The FEN is devoted to fund raising andto supporting programmes that help to improve the quality and delivery of laboratory medicine
services, particularly in emerging nations.
The FEN Board of Directors are: Dr GH Beastall (UK) Chair, Dr M Rossier (CH), Prof T
Brinkmann (DE), Ms L Monaco (IT) and Prof T Ozben (TR). The current five Directors have agood geographical distribution and varying backgrounds in laboratory medicine, education andfundraising.
During 2016 the Board met (by Skype) on four occasions; achievements were reached onfollowing topics: - entry on to the Handelsregister des Kantons Schwyz; - Approval of the Swiss
Foundation Supervisory Authority granting of tax-free status; - Appointment of the Seedamm
Business Center AG in Pfaffikon, Switzerland as the formal address for the FEN; - Appointmentof Ametis Revision Sàrl, Geneva as formal auditor for the FEN; - Establishment of a bankaccount with Credit Suisse, Geneva using start-up funding provided by IFCC; - Approval of the
FEN business plan and fundraising strategy; - Creation of the FEN website www.ifccfoundation.
org; - Launch of the FEN at the IFCC General Conference in Madrid; - Promotion of the FEN
through various IFCC media outlets and through Labmedica International (English and Spanish
versions); - Publication and distribution of first FEN newsletter; - Two calls for project proposals
followed by assessment of the received proposals; - Fundraising initiatives; - Funding approval
for three projects, as follows:60✓ Laboratory based surveillance for communicable disease in Malawi:
The FEN approved an application from the Malawi Association of Medical Laboratory
Scientists (MAMLS) to support two laboratory scientists to receive laboratory-based
disease surveillance training at the ‘amref health Africa’ headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The training course aims to build capacity of laboratory staff in the implementation oflaboratory-based surveillance and public health actions, based on the evidence fromlaboratory data. On completion of their training the two scientists will develop training
materials, which will be promoted and made available to clinical laboratories throughout
Malawi. This project is supported by the Ministry of Health in Malawi and is a good
example of collaboration in the interests of improving public health.

✓ ‘Lab Surfing’: A resource to facilitate global exchange between young scientists‘Lab Surfing’ is a project designed by the IFCC Task Force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)
and proposed by YS from Argentina, India and Nigeria. It will support the construction andlaunch of a website to connect YS from around the world, and especially from emerging
nations.The specific aim of the Lab Surfing project is to facilitate self-organised exchange
programmes between YS who are trainees in laboratory medicine. The outcome of ‘Lab
Surfing’ will be measured in terms of the number of YS using the site, their countries oforigin and the exchanges that derive from those contacts.

✓ ‘Adopt a Professional’: Collaboration to support the training of laboratory medicine
specialists
The ‘Adopt a Professional’ project is a collaboration between the FEN and the Societá
Italiana di Biochimica Clinica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica (SIBioC). The FEN and SIBioC
have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in providing training inlaboratory medicine to scientists from designated emerging nations. Trainees will beselected on merit to spend time training in an Italian centre of excellence. Trainees will besupported after their visit through a mentorship scheme. Fundraising for the first trainees
has been achieved and recruitment has commenced. The first trainees will enter the‘Adopt a Professional’ project in 2017.
Finances:
Audited accounts for the year to 31st December 2016 are available on request. In summary:
Income:Expenditure:
Start-up donation from IFCC 50 000 CHF
Cost of establishing FEN
11 719 CHF
Fundraising
15 013 CHF
Project funded
9 054 CHF
		
Operating costs
1 308 CHF
Total
65 013 CHF
Total
22 081 CHF
Balance at 31/12/16: 42 932 CHF
Conclusion:
In presenting this first annual report the Board Of Directors confirms that the governance of the
FEN is sound. The Board believes that the FEN has had a positive year of achievement, which
it intends to develop further during 2017.
Graham Beastall, Chair

61

Federations
AFCC
African Federation of Clinical Chemistry
Introduction: One important achievement with the creation of AFCC is that regularcommunication is taking place between the members at the board level which can serve as afoundation for collaborations and provision of platform for improvement of medical laboratory
services in the member countries. Scientific meetings were successfully organized and held in
Zimbabwe, South Africa and Nigeria. The meetings were able to attract good number of young
scientists who benefited immensely from them. We are grateful for the support we received
from IFCC. The scientific meeting in Nigeria was supported by IFCC with 6 resource persons
which added great value to presentations and final outcome. There was molecular biology
workshop component in which many young scientists participated. Also, there were elaborate
presentations on quality management. The Nigerian society (ACCN) therefore decided to create
national working committees to take forward the suggestions at this meeting.
Another important event worth mentioning is the internet radio which is ongoing in Nigeria,
Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This has focussed mainly on spreading the information about
the Worldlab Conference in Durban to increase awareness of Africans.
Major challanges: challenges facing AFCC can be summarised as follows;membership drive,
funding, lack of strategic plan and mobilization for the forth coming Worldlab Durban 2017.
These are interrelated, because more members, means more dues and ideas which may
generate more fund and activities.
Membership drive: At present the membership comprises of the followingcountries namely:
Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe,Zambia,Ethiopia and Malawi,all of which are full
members of IFCC.Potential members which are not yet very active include Tanzania, Ghana,
Rwanda, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia and Morocco. Efforts are being made to bring on board thepotential countries through contacts from those countries to identify existing national society
or professionals in the field of laboratory medicine. The last four countries currently belong to
the Arab Federation of Clinical Biochemistry. Since both federations are closely related withregard to our geographical locations, we need to work together to complement efforts of eachother. I visited Egypt recently and was able to facilitate that Prof Egon Amman join them intheir upcoming conference on quality Management. There are 52 countries in Africa and they
all need support. We are therefore struggling hard to bring more countries on board. We hopethat the Durban meeting will help to improve awareness of Africa Countries about the need tobe part of IFCC through AFCC.
Funding: Currently our only and major source of funding is still IFCC. At one of our Board
meetings, we agreed that each member country must contribute two hundred dollars ($200)
annually, however no country has been able to respond to this proposal.We have challenged
members to bring forward ideas to improve the fund raising drives of the AFCC.
Strategic Plan: We are currently putting together a 4 year strategic plan to guide the AFCC
and we hope to finalise this at Durban in October 2017. We hope that member countries will be
guided by the strategic plan on the activities expected of them.
62WorldLab Durban 2017: Substantial efforts had been put in place by the local Organizing
Committee headed by Erasmus with regard to this conference. AFCC EB decided that since weshall mount a symposium at the Durban conference and also create opportunity to hold board
meetings, there will be no need for a separate conference for AFCC this year. We are gratefulto the organizers of Worldlab Durban for giving us the opportunity to carry our activities during
this period. We have identified three speakers namely: Prof Eugene Sobingunfrom Yaoundé
Cameroun, Prof Kunle Okesina from Nigeria, Prof Dinky Levity from Cape Town in South Africa.
AFCC Task Force Members
a. Strategic Planning Development: RT Erasmus, H Lumano, MA Charles Davies, HTM
Matarira.
b. Shaping the future of Lab Medicine: AB Okesina, HTM Matarira, All AFCC Council members
c. Fund Raising: A Amayo, V Steenkamp, AB Okesina, RT Erasmus HTM Matarirad. Educational Management Division: RT Erasmus, H Lumano, MA Charles Davies, HTM
Matarirae. Scientific Division: V Steenkamp, AB Okesina, RT Erasmus, HTM Matarira.
Participation in IFCC Task Forces: There has been marked improvement in participation of ourmembers in IFCC working group and task forces. We shall continue to encourage and educate
our members to be more proactive in nominating members for these task forces whenever the
positions are declared open. This will improve our participation in IFCC activities.
Management Courses and Continuous Education: Various courses on Laboratory
Management had been organised in recent times and thanks to Rajiv Erasmus who had
continued to shoulder this responsibility.
Young Scientists Programme: On the platform of AFCC, countries in Africa have been actively
involved in the young scientists programme and some were selected for sponsorship andpresentation of scientific papers at meetings. AFCC is grateful to IFCC for assisting the growthof our young scientists.
MoU between IFCC and ASLM:
Prof Rajiv Erasmus had useful interaction with some key members of ASLM recently. The renewalof the MOU will be pursued aggressively in Durban to actualize the signing of a new agreement.
We hope to capture it in our strategic plan in order to make it perform this time around. I want
to seize this opportunity to thank ProfGraham Beastall for providing the initial template.
Adekunle Bashiru Okesina, President

APFCB
Asia-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
1. Members
The APFCB has 18 Ordinary members, 6 Affiliate members and 18 Corporate members.
2. 14th Council Meeting
The 14th General Council meeting was held on Saturday, 26th November 2016 at the Taipei
International Convention Centre, Taipei.
63

3. Memorandum of Understanding between APFCB and AACC
The MoU between APFCB and AACC was renewed on 11 November 2016 effective forthree years from 1.1.2017.
4. Educational activitiesi) IFCC Visiting Lecturer for 2015-2016: Prof Howard Morris (Australia)
Prof Morris was the IFCC Visiting Lecturer for 2015-2016 and in 2016 he delivered
lectures South Korea, Malaysia and Australia.
ii) APFCB Travelling Lecturer 2015/2016: Dr Graham Jones (Australia)
The Travelling Lecturer, Dr Graham Jones spoke on the topic of Chronic Kidney Diseasein the following countries: Singapore, Vietnam, India (AMBI), China and Hong Kong.
Graham Jones also delivered a Plenary Lecture at the APFCB Congress in Taipei in
November 2016.
iii) APFCB Travel Awards
Five APFCB-Siemens Travel Awards were awarded to five young scientists to participate
at the 14th APFCB Congress in Taiwan sponsored by Siemens. First and second prizes
were awarded based on the oral presentations in Taipei sponsored by Siemens. The
APFCB also awarded ten travel awards of SGD 1,000 each to young scientists who
were ranked the next highest in the scoring.
iv) Sessions at the 14th APFCB Congress in Taipei, 26 – 29 Nov 2016
1) Joint APFCB-WASPaLM Accreditation Workshop
2) APFCB Pre-analytical workshop
3) Roche-sponsored hypothetical entitled “Unlocking the value the diagnostics- Perspectives from across the healthcare chain” organised by the C-ELM in
conjunction with Roche.
v) Interpretative comments programme
In 2016, the Committee continued to offer a programme which ran over the period of
February to December and contained 7 cases.
vi) APFCB-Roche LEAN Clinical Laboratory Workshop
The first APFCB-Roche LEAN Clinical Laboratory Workshops, held in conjunction with
the VACB, were conducted in June 2016 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Initially, 15 Trainers in each centre were trained by Roche trainers. A second course
was run in September in Ho Chi Minh City where a further 15 laboratory staff weretrained by the trainers.
vii) APFCB-MACB Chemical Pathology Course
The first Chemical Pathology Course of the APFCB, based on the AACB course, wasco-organised with the MACB from 19-21 September 2016, in Kuala Lumpur.
viii) 8th Chemical Pathology and POCT Courses in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi,
Vietnamix) APFCB Symposium at the AACC Annual Meeting in Philadelphia 2016: Addressing
Pre- and Post-analytical Issues in Developing Countriesx) APFCB Paediatric / Endocrine Symposium at the EFLM-UEMS Conference,Warsaw, September 2016xi) On-going development of material for self-directed learning for QA/QC/Lab
accreditation on the webpage
64

The Committee has been involved with ongoing development of the APFCB Webpage.
The focus has been on educational resources. The QA/QC tab of the webpage has
added some material supplied from Randox.
xii)
APFCB-SACB-Siemens Specialty Meeting on QC Management on 15 July
2016 in Singapore
A specialty meeting was held in Singapore which saw the involvement of multiple
Corporate members in addition to the APFCB and SACB. The topic was around “QCManagement”, where participants learnt about the fundamentals of QC Management
and the tools available to aid in this process. Insights were also shared on the available
External Quality Assurance Programmes in the market.
5.

Scientific Activities
i) Three publications in 2016 on the Asian study for collaborative derivation ofreference intervals
The following website has been set up to publicise the results: http://c-sci-apfcb.net/
eblm/index.htmlii) Global multicentre study on reference values
Eight countries from Asia, all members of the APFCB, are contributing to the global
study: Japan, China, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malaysia,iii) Three papers published in 2016 on the global study incorporating APFCB member
countries.
iv) A new research project for building a clinical case bank
Development of a well-defined international clinical case bank for promoting thepractice of evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) targeting well-defineddiagnostic categories of diseases.
v) Regional project for harmonisation of mass spectrometry-based steroid assays
In 2016, regional laboratories and individuals involved in this collaborative process stemfrom Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
and Vietnam. A key challenge has been to engage with laboratory, clinical and industry
experts in the harmonisation process.An important clinical link has been establishedwith the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action BM1303, A
Systematic Elucidation of Differences of Sex Development (DSDnet) Working Group 3;
co-chaired by Professor Stefan Wudy.The outputs detailed below reflect the laboratoryclinical-industry collaborations for 2016. Six papers were published in 2016 by thisworking group.
vi) APFCB / WASPaLM Task Force on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
A meeting was held for interested members of APFCB organisations in Taiwan on
Tuesday 29th November 2016 during the APFCB congress.Twenty people attended themeeting which included participants from WASPaLM and APFCB member countries(in alphabetical order) of Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South
Korea, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.

6.

APFCB e-News
The APFCB e-News was published annually from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, it was decided
by the EB that the APFCB e-News shall be published twice a year from 2016.

65

7.

14th APFCB Congress, Taipei, 26 – 29 November 2016
The 14th APFCB Congress was a great success. Congratulations to Prof Woei-Horng Fangand his Organising Committee.

8.

Resolution on Compliance with Codes of Ethical Business Practice
A resolution for the APFCB as well to endorse the “MedTech Europe Code of EthicalBusiness Practice” was tabled and accepted at the Council Meeting.
Leslie Lai, President

EFLM
European Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
General Meeting
EFLM held its ninth General Meeting in conjunction with the IFCC General Conference on
21 March 2016 in Madrid, Spain, where 31 out of 40 EFLM Member Societies (NS), wererepresented. During the GM EFLM President, Mauro Panteghini (MP), gave a report of the recent
EFLM activities since the last GM held in Paris. Also, in the absence of EFLM Treasurer (Huib
Storm) MP gave a financial report (i.e. balance sheet report for 2015, internal budget report for2015 and internal budget plan for 2016). EFLM GM approved the balance sheet for 2015 andand the internal budget report for 2015 and plan for 2016.
During the GM elections were held for EFLM President and Vice President. GM has unanimously
confirmed the position of Mr. Sverre Sandberg, as the next EFLM President and his term of office
2016-2017. There were two candidates for Vice President: Mr. Damien GRUSON (Belgium) andMr. Michael NEUMAIER (Germany). Michael NEUMAIER was confirmed by the majority (16/31)
of the GM members as the EFLM Vice-President for the 2016-2018.
EFLM EB has already discussed rules for the election of the Regional Federation Representatives
in the IFCC Executive Board on several occasions. EFLM EB strongly supports that an individual
representing a Region is selected by a Region according to the Region agreed electoral process
and that this person participates in the policies and actions of a Region. If a separate election isorganized by IFCC to elect a “regional representative” in their EB, EFLM EB thinks that there will
not be any structural connection between the Regional Federation (e.g., EFLM) and IFCC. To
overcome this situation, MP has presented a proposal for the Election Procedure for European
Region in which 1) the EFLM EB recommends the EFLM President or his/her representative(i.e., a person seated in the EFLM EB) to its Members for being elected at the IFCC EB; 2)
the constituent NS officially nominates this person to IFCC for organizing a ballot to have theNRs approval. The GM has fully supported this proposal and gave the mandate to the EFLM
EB to propose an official procedure, which manages all necessary steps in accordance withthis decision (including a change in the EFLM statutes if needed). The proposal was voted andapproved by more than ¾ of the NSs.
Executive Board
Through the EFLM program entitled EFLM Presence at NS meetings, during 2016 EB members
participated in four EFLM NS meetings hosted by Slovenia, Romania, Portugal and Sweden.
The recently proposed amendments to the EFLM Articles of Association have been positively
voted by EFLM Member Societies. These amendments allow aligning of EB roles to the newbylaws. Aligning of EB roles and elections for new EB members shall be held during the nextGM, on Sunday 11 June 2017 (from h. 14.00 to h. 18.15) on occasion of the 22nd IFCC-EFLM
66

EuroMedLab Congress.
In order to start the whole new EB on 1 January 2018, the GM in Athens will be asked to extend
the positions of the present Secretary, Treasurer and Members until 31 December 2017 and toaccept the Vice-President position to act as President from 1 January 2018. Originally these
positions would stop their 2nd term of office at the date of the GM in 2017, so in Athens in June.
At the same time the position of President, Vice-President and Past President would end somemonth before on 31 December 2017. Considering the appointment in March 2016, the mandate
would be 21 months instead of 24. This was approved by the NSs with of more than 3/4.
The next election of the Executive Board Members will follow the new EFLM Articles of
Association and the transitional provision will be applied. EB has recently launched a call for
nominations from National Societies for the following positions to serve for the term of office
2018-2019: President-Elect (to serve as President for 2020-2021), Secretary, Treasurer and 2
Members-at-Large.
The deadline to submit nominations is 31 March 2017. Voting for officers of the EFLM Executive
Board 2018-2019 shall take place in Athens in June, at the tenth GM.
Committees
Committee – Communication (C-C)
During 2016, special effort was dedicated to support and promote the work of the EFLM Working
Groups that is the backbone of the scientific and professional activities of the Federation. A
specific space was created inside the EFLM website where all the WGs could post freely available
documents and educational materials to substantiate their activities and projects. A similar
effort was dedicated to consolidate the collaboration with the National Societies: the Guidelines
issued by the EFLM NSs can now be posted in a dedicated subpage of the website with the aim
to build in a near future joint European Guidelines on specific topics. Furthermore, to increase
the quality of the EFLM surveys that are prepared and distributed to the NSs rather frequently, aworkshop on survey methodology was organized during the EFLM-UEMS Congress in Warsaw.
The presence of the EFLM in the social media has been greatly improved during this year: theFederation has now Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts and a LinkedIn Company page.
EFLM has started sharing news using the social media of the EFLM National Societies, IFCC
and AACC. In 2016, the EFLM started a project (to be completed in 2017) of restyling the EFLM
image including a new website, a new logo and above all, the production and publication of its
own NewsLetter: the bimonthly EuroLabNews.
Committee – Education and Training (C-ET)
C-ET has been involved in the organization of the 12th Symposium of the Balkan region and is
involved in the Congress Organizing Committee for the 23rd Euromedlab in Barcelona and the13th Symposium of the Balkan region. A new preliminary version of the former EC4 European
Syllabus has been assigned to C-ET for finalization of an updated document of an EFLM
European Syllabus in 2017.A Task and Finishing Group has been established with 18 members
working on a continuing professional development (CPD) crediting system. A cooperation with
UEMS is under initiation.
The development of a program for exchanging practice and practical training within EFLM
countries is in progress in WG-CPE. WG-ET produced six e-seminars in 2016, recordings
were subsequently posted on YouTube. Selected presentations were recorded from the EFLMUEMS Congress to be presented later on an EFLM e-learning platform, which is also underdevelopment.
Committee – Profession (C-P) and EC4 Foundation
Towards the end of 2016, EC4’s Board of Governors (the presidents of the EU-based nationalsocieties affiliated to EC4) voted for the dissolution of the EC4 foundation and transfer assets
such as the EC4 Register of ‘Specialists in Laboratory Medicine’ to EFLM. More than ¾ of
the EU-based NSs voted and among these more than ¾ was in favor. All members of the
EC4 Board then voted to dissolve the EC4 Foundation. The change reflected the diminishing67

infrastructure in EC4 being mirrored by the rising profile and infrastructure in EFLM. This reporttakes the opportunity to acknowledge the notable building blocks achieved by key individuals
in EC4 in pursuit of recognition of specialists under EU Directives such as 2013/55/EU (The
Recognition of Professional Qualifications). A Common Training Framework has been proposedto the EU Commission, syllabuses for education/training in laboratory medicine and codes ofconduct have been published, and the unifying term of ‘Specialist in Laboratory Medicine’ hasbeen adopted.
The importance of continuing to pursue recognition was reflected in EFLM’s Executive Board
decision early December to preserve the function of EC4’s Register Commission by establishinga new ‘Register Working Group’ for whom a key remit will be to grow the Register. The Profession
Committee continues to press the EU Commission for acceptance of a Common Training
Framework, this in turn being the passport to free professional migration across EU borders aswell as acting as a catalyst for raising awareness of laboratory medicine’s contribution.
Committee – Quality and Regulations (C-QR)
WG A/ISO was able to achieve the inclusion of the requirement for IVD manufacturers to provide
information to the customers on lot-to lot differences in the new IVD Regulation which will become
mandatory in the European Union. C and its WG are working on developing publications inrelation with ISO15189 on reference values, retention time, POCT and measurement uncertainty.
Representatives of the WG and Committee were active in ISOTC212, CENTC140 and the Healthcare Committee of the EA (European cooperation on Accreditation).
Committee – Science (C-S)
The nine WGs under this Committee (Biological Variation, Cardiac Markers, Guidelines,
Harmonisation of the Total Testing Process, Patient Focused Laboratory Medicine, Personalised
Laboratory Medicine, Postanalytical Phase, Preanalytical Phase and Test Evaluation) and thetwo Task and Finish Groups (Laboratory Testing for Dyslipidaemia and Standardisation of
the Colour Coding for Blood Collection Closures) remain highly active in focusing on topics
which are of direct relevance in improving the effectiveness of laboratory medicine to patients.
Particular highlights include: developing a means of grading the quality of biological variation
studies; thelipid guidelines developed collaboratively with the European Atherosclerosis Society;initiatives to establish test unit and blood container colour standardisation; involving scientists
in advising patients directly on their laboratory results; and ensuring emerging technologies
such as proteomics develop within existing laboratory medicine disciplines
Meetings
EFLM has organized three meetings during 2016:
1. 12th EFLM Symposium for Balkan Region, May 25–27, 2016; Belgrade (Serbia)
2. 4th EFLM -UEMS European Joint Congress “Laboratory Medicine at the ClinicalInterface”, 21-24 September 2016; Warsaw (Poland)
3. EFLM Test evaluation course, 9-11 November 2016; Leiden (The Netherlands)
Publications
1. Boursier G, Vukasovic I, Mesko Brguljan P, Lohmander M, Ghita I, Bernabeu Andreu FA,
et al. on behalf of the Working Group Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards (WG-A/ISO)of the EFLM. Accreditation process in European countries - an EFLM survey. CCLM
2016;54:545-51
2. Carobene A, Strollo M, Jonker N, Barla G, Bartlett WA, Sandberg S, Sverresdotter Sylte
M, Roraas T, Orvim Solvik U, Fernandez-Calle P, Díaz-Garzon J, Tosato F, Plebani M,
Coskun A, Serteser M, Unsal I, Ceriotti F. Sample collections from healthy volunteers forbiological variation estimates’ update: a new project undertaken by the Working Groupon Biological Variation established by the EFLM. CCLM 2016;54(10):1599-608
3. Collinson P, Hammerer-Lercher A, Suvisaari J, Apple FS, Christenson RH, Pulkki K, vanDieijen-Visser MP, Duff CJ, Baum H, Stavljenic-Rukavina A, Aakre KM, Langlois MR,
Stankovic S, Laitinen P on behalf of the EFLM Working Group for Cardiac Markers. How
68well do laboratories adhere to recommended clinical guidelines for the managementof myocardial infarction: the CARdiac MArker Guidelines uptake in Europe study(CARMAGUE). Clin Chem 2016; 62:1264-71
4. Barth JH, Misra S, Aakre KM, Langlois MR, Watine J, Twomey PJ et al. by the EFLMUEMS joint WG on Guidelines. Why are clinical practice guidelines not followed? CCLM
2016; 54(7):1133-9.
5. Nordestgaard BG, Langsted A, Mora S, Kolovou G, Baum H, Bruckert E, Watts GF,
Sypniewska G, Wiklund O, Bore J,Chapman MJ, Cobbaert C, Descamps OS, vonEckardstein A, Kamstrup PR, Pulkki K, Kronenberg F, Remaley AT, Rifai N, Ros E,
Langlois M. Fasting is not routinely required for determination of a lipid profile: clinicaland laboratory implications including flagging at desirable concentration cut-points - a
joint consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society and European
Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. European Heart Journal
2016;37(25):1944-58.
6. Nordestgaard BG, Langsted A, Mora S, Kolovou G, Baum H, Bruckert E, Watts GF,
Sypniewska G, Wiklund O, Bore J,Chapman MJ, Cobbaert C, Descamps OS, vonEckardstein A, Kamstrup PR, Pulkki K, Kronenberg F, Remaley AT, Rifai N, Ros E,
Langlois M. Fasting is not routinely required for determination of a lipid profile: clinicaland laboratory implications including flagging at desirable concentration cut-points—a
joint consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society and European
Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Clin Chem 2016;62:930–46
7. Ceriotti F, Gligorovic Barhanovic N, Kostovska I, Karel Kotaska K, Perich Alsina MC
on behalf of the EFLM Working Group on Harmonisation of Total Testing Process.
Harmonisation of the laboratory testing process: need for a coordinated approach.
CCLM 2016; 54(12):e361-e363.
8. Ceriotti F. Harmonization initiatives in Europe. eJIFCC 2016;27:023-9
9. Kristoffersen AH, Ajzner E, Rogic D, Sozmen EY, Carraro P, Faria AP, Watine J, Meijer P,
Sandberg S; joint EFLM-EQALM Working Group on Postanalytical Phase (WG-POST).
Is D-dimer used according to clinical algorithms in the diagnostic work-up of patientswith suspicion of venous thromboembolism? A study in six European countries. Thromb
Res. 2016;142:1-7.
10. Cornes M, van Dongen-Lases E, Grankvist K, Ibarz M, Kristensen G, Lippi G, Nybo M,
Simundic A-M. Order of blood draw: Opinion Paper by the European Federation for
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for the Preanalytical
Phase (WG-PRE). CCLM 2017;55(1):27-31.
11. Cornes MP, Church S, van Dongen-Lases E, Grankvist K, Guimaraes JT, Ibarz M et al.
The role of European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Working
Group for Preanalytical Phase in standardization and harmonization of the preanalyticalphase in Europe. Ann Clin Biochem 2016;53:539-47
12. Lippi G, Cornes MP, Grankvist K, Nybo M, Simundic AM. EFLM WG-Preanalytical phase
opinion paper: local validation of blood collection tubes in clinical laboratories. CCLM
2016;54:755-60
13. van Dongen-Lases E, Cornes MP, Grankvist K, Mercedes Ibarz M, Kristensen GBB, Lippi
G et al., on behalf of the Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE), European
Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM). Patient identificationand tube labelling – a call for harmonization. CCLM 2016;54:1141-5
14. Monaghan P,Lord SJ, St John A, Sandberg S, Cobbaert CM, Lennartz L et al.for the
EFLM Working Group onTest Evaluation. Biomarker development targeting unmet
clinical needs. Clin Chim Acta 2016;460:211-9
Sverre Sandberg, President
Prepared by Ana-Maria Simundic, Executive Board Secretary69

NAFCC
North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry &Laboratory Medicine
The North American Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (NAFCC)
representing the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and the Canadian Societyof Clinical Chemists (CSCC) was formed in 2014 and was recognized as a Federation in 2015.
The NAFCC was formed in response to changes to the procedure for election to the IFCC
Executive Board and to allow for representation and participation from North America in the
IFCC. The NAFCC also serves to formalize greater communication and cooperation between
the AACC and CSCC at the executive level. Dr. David Kinniburgh is the NAFCC Representative
to the IFCC EB for 2015-2017.
The AACC and CSSC were active in a number of initiatives in 2016, summarized below.
CSCC:• 2016 CSCC Annual meeting, a joint meeting with Canadian College of Medical Genetics,
was held in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Educational activities included the Education Roundtable webinars, Travelling
Lectureship Series, Lectureship on Cardiovascular Disease, Lectureship on Critical Care
Medicine, Trainee Review Course, and the first CACC/ACB International Visiting Lecture
by Dr. Callum Fraser.
• The CSCC continues to supporting appropriate laboratory utilization through participationand support for Choosing Wisely Canada.
• Participation on the Canadian Leadership Council on Laboratory Medicine (CLCLM) to
advocate in the areas of education, workload and quality assurance.
• Working with other laboratory medicine organizations and industry partners in LabCanDx
to promote the value of laboratory medicine.
• Supporting the application to the Health Professions Act in Alberta and preparations in
Ontario and British Columbia, whereby clinical biochemists would be legally recognized
as healthcare professionals, and better able to regulate their profession and maintain thehighest standards of quality and patient safety.
• Implementation of the CSCC Working Group on Clinical Laboratory Test Harmonization.
AACC:• 2016 AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, withnearly 20,000 delegates.
• Lab Tests Online continues to grow in terms of content and visits. 160 reviewed/updated
articles and 26 new articles in 2016, and a 7% increase in visits over 2015.
• The new AACC journal, The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine was launched in
July.
• There were 14 continuing education certificate programs, 26 online webinars, 7 additional
national conferences and 3 international conferences.
• Building on the successful program in Latin America, a similar AACC Global Lab Quality
Initiative was launched in the Asia-Pacific region, with the support of the APFCB.
• The universal sample bank sets were made commercially available.
• The Advocacy Program was active lobbying in support of Children’s Health,Harmonization, Laboratory-Developed Tests, and Reimbursement and the Changing
Healthcare Environment.
• The AACC and CSCC are completing preparations for a joint meeting to be held in San
Diego, California in July of 2017, in conjunction with the Clinical Lab Expo.
David W Kinniburgh, Representative70

Full Member Societies

ARGENTINACONFEDERACIÓN UNIFICADA BIOQUÍMICA DE LAREPÚBLICA ARGENTINA
Regional relations
Federación Bioquímica de la Provincia de Santa Fe
Colegio Bioquímico de Catamarca
Federación de Bioquímicos de la Prov.de Córdoba
Colegio Bioquímico del Chaco
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Entre Ríos
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Formosa
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Jujuy
Asociación Colegio Bioquímico de La Pampa
Colegio Bioquímico de La Rioja
Círculo Bioquímico de la Prov.de Misiones
Asociación Bioquímica de Salta
Colegio Bioquímico de San Juan
Colegio Bioquímico de Santiago del EsteroColegio Bioquímico de TucumánFederación Bioquímica de la Prov.de Buenos Aires
Federación Bioquímica de la Provincia de Chubut
Colegio de Bioquímicos de la Prov.de Río Negro
Colegio Bioquímico de Corrientes
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Neuquén
Sección 1ª de Bioquímica del Colegio Oficial de Farm.y Bioq.de Capital Fed.
Asociación Bioquímica de Mendoza
Asociación Bioquímica del Este
Asociación Bioquímica de San Luis
Asociación Bioquímica de Villa Mercedes
Asociación Bioquímica de San Rafael
Colegio Bioquímico de Santa CruzInternational relations
COLABIOCLI (Confederación Latinoamericana de Bioquímica Clínica)
CLAPU (Confederación Latinoamericana de Profesionales Universitarios)

Additional information
Asociación Bioquímica Argentina - ABA
Fundación Bioquímica Argentina - FBA
Confederación General de Profesionales - CGP
Ente coordinador de unidades académicas de Bioquímica y Farmacia - ECUAFYB71

BOLIVIA

SOCIEDAD BOLIVIANA
DE BIOQUÍMICA CLÍNICA
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Meeting with the Ministryof Health and Sports –CONALAB – Presidencyof the Health Committee
Naional Senate
National Consultative of the
Bolivian Society of Clinical
Biochemsitry
National Meeting of the
Bolivian Program forContinuing Education

Date

La Paz, February 22nd, 2016

Topic
Implementation od theprogram of external
evaluation of quality by the
Bolvian Soicety of Clinical
Biochemistry

Tarija, June 10th, 2016

Elaboration of the plan of theactivities 2016-2017

Tarija, December 16th , 2016

Evaluation and Elaborationof the 2017 Schedule of
the Bolivian Continuing
Education Program(PROBOECO)

Education
Agreement with the Biochemsitry Foundation Argentina 2016-2018 to develop activities oftraining and training of Biochemical Professionals in areas of inters common through the
Bolivian continuous training program (PROBOECO)
Agreement with the Company Management of Human Resources (GRH) Management
2015-2018 for the development of Academic, Scientific activities of training of biochemical
professionals.
Agreement with the Company Bolivian Institute of Quality in Health (IBSC) 2015-2018, forthe development of Academic, Scientific activities of training of Biochemical Professionals
Place
Topic
Date - Speaker
Clinical update, Immunological Diagnosis
August 24-25, 2016
Santa Cruzand Pathologies associated with celiac
Dra. Maria E. Lasta
disease
October 26-27, 2016
Infections of the female genital tract and in
Santa Cruz
Dra. Susana Di
the neonate - the Laboratory role
Bartolomeo
Advances in the Physiology of the testicular
August 26-27. 2016
La Pazovarian function and its assessment in the
Dr. Daniel R. Aquilano
clinical Laboratory

72

La Paz

Infertility bacteriological, Immunological andMolecular aspects

Cochabamba

Cancer, oncological markers

Cochabamba

TarijaAdvances in the Physiology of the testicularovarian function and its assessment in theclinical Laboratory
Clinical update, Immunological Diagnosis
and Pathologies associated with celiac
disease

Sucre

Cancer, oncological markers

Beni

Infections of the female genital tract and in
the neonate - the Laboratory role

Oruro

Infertility bacteriological, Immunological andMolecular aspects

November 23-24, 2016
Dra. Adriana S. Brufman
September 21-22, 2016
Dra Halina Grosman
August 24 – 25,2016
Dr. Daniel R. Aquilano
August 26-27, 2016
Dra. Maria E. Lasta
September 23-24, 2016
Dra Halina Grosman
October 28-29, 2016
Dra. Susana Di
Bartolomeo
November 25-26, 2016
Dra. Adriana S. Brufman

Regional meetings
Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Name of the meeting

Date

Extraordinary Assemblyof the Latin American
Confederation of Clinical
Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI)Elaboration of the proposal
Buenos Aires – Argentina, 29
for new statutes for
November03 December 2016
COLABIOCLI

Speaker the MicroscopeRadio

According to schedule

Support for development in
the 2016 management action
plan

December – CALILAB 2016

Annual Report of the
PROBOECO

December - CALILAB 2016

Action plan 2017

National meeting educationof the ”PROECO” of the
Bioquimica Fuondation
Argentina
Meeting of the Latin
American Working Group
IFCC (WG IANT)

Regional relations
Permanent training with the Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry(COLABIOCLI) and National Representations of Latin America

International relations

73

Participation of the Bolivian Society of Clinical Biochemistry in General Conference IFCC
Madrid, Spain from 14 to 21 March 2016
Participation of the Bolivian Society of Clinical Biochemistry in meeting of the WG-IANT
IFCC Madrid March 14 to 21 March 2016
Participation of the Bolivian Society of Clinical Biochemistry with the Spanish Society ofClinical Chemistry – Agreement of the Bolivian Partnership to diary entity.
Permanent realization with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) andSpanish Society of Clinical Chemsitry (SEQC)

Additional information
Publication of the report of the XVIII National Ordinary Congress of the Bolivian Society ofBioquimicaClinical of Oruro in Journal and News of IFCC.
Report on the functioning of the Bolivian prorgam of continuous education (PROBOECO)
and activities achieved, IFCC Journal and News publication

BRAZIL

SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA
DE ANALÍSES CLÍNICAS (SBAC)
National relations
ABNT - Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas
AMN - Asociacion Mercosur de Normalizacion
ONA - Organização Nacional de Acreditação
International relations
IFCC -International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
COLABIOCLI - Confederación Latinoamericana de Bioquímica ClínicaCLSI – Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
ISQUA – International Society for Quality in Health Care

BULGARIA

BULGARIAN SOCIETY
OF CLINICAL LABORATORY
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

X National Conference of 29 September – 1 October
All fields of Clinical Laboratory
BSCL
2016
Education
One Workshop in June 201674

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

BCLF Meeting in Tirana

5-7 October 2016

Society’s contribution forthe meeting
Oral presentations andposters

Regional relations
BCLF
International relations
EFLM

CANADACANADIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTS (CSCC)
SOCIETÉ CANADIENNE DE CLINICO-CHEMISTSNational meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Canadian Society of Clinical
June 18-22, 2016
Chemists Annual Conference
Upcoming meeting in 2017:
CSCC Annual Conference

July 30-August 3, 2017

Topic
Annual Meeting”Clinical Chemistry in Wild
Rose Country”
CSCC Annual Meeting held
jointly with the American
AssociationforClinicalChemistry (AACC)

Education2016 Travelling Lectureship Series
Speaker:Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty
Director, Newborn Screening Ontario
Physician, Section of Metabolism and Newborn Screening, Department of Pediatrics, CHEO
Medical Director, BORN Ontario
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Topic: Newborn Screening: The changing landscape
Dr. Chakraborty gave presentations in Vancouver, Jasper, Toronto, Quebec City, Halifax, and
St. John’s in the period October 12 – November 15, 2016
The lectureship is sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories
CSCC Webinar Lectureship on Cardiovascular Disease
Speaker: Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Alberta
Topic: Canadian Perspective on Heart Failure: Multi-marker approach, economics and thepractical approaches
March 10, 2016
Lectureship sponsored by Alere
CSCC Webinar Lectureship on Critical Care Medicine
Speakers:
Dr. Penny Colbourne, PhD, F-ABFT Clinical Toxicologist University of Alberta
Hospital –Toxicology Laboratory
Dr. Hakique Virani, MD, FRCP(C), ABAM Medical Director Metro City Medical Clinic,
75

Topic: Fentanyl and Opiods
May 26, 2016
Lectureship sponsored by Instrumentation Laboratory
2015-16 Webinar Series
13 CSCC “Education Roundtable” in webinar format were held twice a month from October
2015 to May 2016.Besides single participants, many members formed groups at their institution
to attend the webinars.Sessions averaged about 50 phone lines and 200-250 participants.
Working Group on Reference Interval Harmonization
This working group was established formally in early 2016.The working group decided
to start with analytes that have primary reference methods and materials.In May 2016, asurvey was sent to CSCC members inviting them to participate in a baseline assessmentof reference intervals in-use as well as inter-lab variability with respect to measurement of a
subgroup of analytes:ALP, ALT, calcium, creatinine, hemoglobin, sodium and free T4.Thirtyfive laboratories agreed to participate in the baseline assessment, results of which document
the platform-specific differences in analyte measurements due to calibration bias.Results also
highlight the variability in reference intervals in-use across the country.Detailed reports fromthis assessment have been provided to each of the participating laboratories.
The working group presented a workshop at the 2016 Annual Conference in Edmonton,
Alberta, and a presentation was also made at the Ontario Society of Clinical Chemists meetingin November 2016.
Anniversary Celebrations
2016 marked the 60th Anniversary of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) andthe 30th Anniversary of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemists (CACB). Special efforts
were made throughout the year to promote the two anniversaries and a slide show of archived
materials was presented at the annual conference. Special 25 year pins were given out to allmembers who have been members of the society for at least 25 years.

Regional relations
CSCC has 7 Provincial Sections – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.Each Section holds its own meetings and small
conferences.The Sections report annually to the Society Council.A Provincial Grant is available
for each section to help fund their activities

International relations
CSCC paid the IFCC membership dues of the Cuban Society.
CSCC, with AACC, is a member of the North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine (NAFCC of IFCC.The NAFCC was represented at the IFCC Executive
Board meetings in Madrid and Philadelphia in 2016.
Dr. David Kinniburgh, Past-President of CSCC, is the current CSCC representative to NAFCC
and also serves as the NAFCC representative to IFCC.

76

Additional information
CSCC had a number of interactions with other Canadian pathology and lab medicine groups
including:•Canadian Leadership Council on Laboratory Medicine & Laboratory Utilization SubCommittee•
Participation in ‘Choosing Wisely Canada’http://www.choosingwiselycanada.org/•
Participation in ‘Lab Tests Online’ with AACC https://labtestsonline.org/
CSCC supports MEDEC, the national association for the Canadian medical technology
industry, in their efforts to promote the value of laboratory medicine.
CSCC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association for Clinical
Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB).The two societies have established a reciprocal
lectureship.Dr. Callum Fraser of ACB was the first Canada/UK International Visitor at the 2016
CSCC annual conference which took place June 19-22 in Edmonton Alberta.
CSCC held a Trainee Review Course to help trainees prepare for their final oral exam leading
to certification and fellowship.CSCC also provides support and professional encouragement
for Trainees and Young Scientists, such as a special reception at the annual conference, anincrease to the number of grants available, and a recent survey to determine their needs.

CHILE

SOCIEDAD CHILENA DE QUÍMICA CLÍNICA (SCHQC)
Education
Latin American and Caribbean Regional Workshop: Interpretation of Critical Requirements of
ISO 15189-2012 (PTB, INN, SChQC and USACH), October 14th , 2016

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

IFCC General Conference
2016 Madrid

18-21 March 2016

IX Congreso Argentino dela Calidad en el Laboratorio
Clinico, Buenos Aires

30th November -2nd
December 2016

IX Congreso Argentino dela Calidad en el Laboratorio
Clinico, Buenos Aires

30th November -2nd
December 2016

Topic
Meeting of WG. IberoAmerican Nomeclature andTranslations (WG-IANT)(Participed: E. Aranda,
Member)Meeting of WG. IberoAmerican Nomeclature andTranslations (WG-IANT)(Participed: E. Aranda,
Member)Extraordinary assembly of
COLABIOCLI (Participed:E.
Aranda, representant)

77

Regional relations
SChQC has collaboration with several regional associations of medical laboratory.
• COLABIOCLI (Confederacion Latinoamericana de Bioquimica Clinica) as a full member.
• IAAC ( Inter American Accreditation Cooperation) as a stakeholder member.
• APTM (Asociacion Panamericana de Tecnologos Medicos)• INN (Instituto de Standarizacion Naciona); Chile• Radio El Microscopio

International relations••••

Participation in the International Scientific Advisory ofWorld Lab Durban 2017
SChQC is a Liaisonmember to the IFCC eNewsletter
IFCC CDP WG. Ibero-American Nomeclature and Translations (WG-IANT) Member E.
ArandaSCHQC representatives
o IFCC: E Arandao IAAC: M Monari

Additional information
Member of the committee of experts, contributing to the modernization of the catalog ofbenefits of the Free Mode Election (MLE) FONASA Chile. Representative: X Lobos

CHINA –PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC)

CHINESE SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINE (CSLM)
National meetings

78

Name of the meetingDate2016 National Congress of
CSLM

Sep21-24, 2016

Topic
Topic: Best test-Better care
The conference was highlighted byvarious forms of academic exchange,
including plenary lectures, keynote
lectures, satellite meetings, oralpresentation and post presentation. The
academic committee of the conference
received 2,821 abstract submissions.
Ninety-three abstracts were selected fororal presentation, among which, thirteen
submissions were delivered in forms ofEnglish speech contest. Meanwhile, 429
abstracts were presented in
the form of posters. After a strict
peer review process, the academic
committee awarded 31 outstanding
posters and 46 excellent research
papers and gave three grades ofprizes to the competitors in the English
speech.

Education
1. The distance training project was co-hosted by Hunan Society for Laboratory Medicine,
Hubei for Laboratory Medicine and Jiangxi for Laboratory Medicine on April 6th, 2016. It isestimated that more than 3000 people participated in the on-line training program.
2. Laboratory Medicine Branch of Provincial (Autonomous regional) Medical Association inwestern and northeast region co-hosted the remote training project in Yinchuan, September
2th, 2016. It is estimated that more than 3000 people participated in the on-line training
program.
3. On November 18th, 2016, Laboratory Medicine Branch of Provincial Medical Associationof Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces co-hosted the remote training project inKunming, Guiyang and Chengdu. It is estimated that more than 3000 people participated in
the on-line training program.
4. Lab Tests Online CN offers education and information on laboratory tests to help patients
better understand their health care. In 2016, CLSM have launched 4 tests and modified 2
conditions.

Regional meetings
Name of the meetingDate

14th Asian Society of Clinical
Pathology and Laboratory
March 25- 27, 2016
Medicine Congress (2016)

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

CSLM sent a delegation toparticipate in 14th AsianSociety of Clinical Pathology
and Laboratory .

International relations
On Sep 23, 2016, at the2016 National Congress of CSLM, AACC task force in Asia-Pacificregion have given specials reports on Sino-American clinical laboratory education/ training
exchanges and quality management in medical laboratory, which offered opportunities for us
to learn about the education, qualification certification, responsibilities and management oflaboratorians in America, as well as their report model of clinical results and laboratorial risk
management.
‘The Best of AACC China’ - the first joint forum of Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine(CSLM) and American Association of clinical chemistry (AACC) was held on October 21st-22ndin Shanghai, China. The forum is sponsored by the China Medicine Education Association(CMEA), with the vision to augment the academic level of laboratory medicine in China andto promote the international communication between the specialists and scholars. Given
the theme of “Rigorous Testing for Precision Medicine”, the forum selected the best topics
from the 68th AACC annual meeting (2016), featured with clinical molecular diagnostics andmass spectrometry technologies, clinical laboratory management, and trends in laboratory
medicine. The conference will provide the experts from both China and United States with agreat chance to cooperate and explore the latest research progress in the field of laboratory
medicine.

Additional information
Chinese Medical Association experts have drafted the <Proposal for standardization ofcritical value reporting system of the department of clinical laboratory >and compiled anundergraduate textbook< clinical immunology testing >in 2015.

79

CROATIA

CROATIAN SOCIETY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND
LABORATORY MEDICINENational meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Symposium LOKUS 2016

April 8-9, 2016

Financial management

September 10, 2016

Croatian Centre for Quality
Assessment in Laboratory
Medicine (CROQALM): fromsample to assessment

27th CSMBLM symposium

Education
CSMBLM Committee for education provides free e-seminars for all CSMBLM members.
Participants of e-seminars can earn credits granted by the Croatian chamber of medical
biochemists (CCMB).
In 2016 CSMBLM provided 6 e-seminars granted by the CCMB:
1. NSGC guidelines in prenatal diagnostics of aneuploidy
2. CLSI guidelines for detremintaion of ionized calcium – experience from laboratory
perspective
3. Accreditation process in European countries - an EFLM survey
4. Sweat chloride guidelines – mercurimetric method and results of external quality
assessment
5. Blood morphology in the digital area
6. Endocrinology functional tests
Committee for the scientific and professional development performed their activities
through several working groups for the specific areas in the laboratory medicine.
1) WG for preanalytical phase conducted a multicentric study on verification of interferenceindices on clinical chemistry analyzers.
2) WG for blood gas testing has published National recommendation for blood gas testing(Dukić L, Milevoj Kopčinović L, Dorotić A, Baršić I. Blood gas testing and related
measurements: National recommendations on behalf of the Croatian Society of Medical
Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Biochem Med (Zagreb) 2016;26(3):318-36.).
3) WG for extravascular body samples published an article on laboratory practices for
pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial, amniotic fluid, sweat and bronchoalveolar lavage(Milevoj Kopčinović L, Vogrinc Ž, Kocijan I, Culej J, Aralica M, et al. Laboratory testing ofextravascular body fluids in Croatia: a survey of the Working group for extravascular body
fluids of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Biochem
Med (Zagreb) 2016;26:395-407.).
4) WG for laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune diseases published an article on practices
employed in the autoimmune disease testing (Tešija Kuna A, Đerek L, Kozmar A, Drvar
V. Current practice in laboratory diagnostics of autoimmune diseases in Croatia. Surveyof the Working group for laboratory diagnostics of autoimmune diseases of the CroatianSociety of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Biochem Med (Zagreb)
2016;26:376-94.).
5) After publishing National recommendation for capillary blood sampling, WG for capillarysampling has continued their efforts on implementation of the document in Croatianlaboratories.

806) WG for harmonization of instructions for patients has finished work on the national
recommendation for patient preparation for laboratory testing (submitted for publication).
7) WG of CSMBLM and CCMB for uncertainty of measurement has finished work on thenational recommendation for uncertainty of measurement (submitted for publication).
8) WG of CSMBLM and CCMB for chronic renal disease has finished work on the national
recommendation for laboratory diagnostics of chronic renal disease (submitted for
publication).
9) WG for coagulation testing finished a nation-wide survey on practices in coagulation
testing and has been working on drafting the manuscript.
10) WG for point of care testing finished a nation-wide survey on practices in point of caretesting and has been working on drafting the manuscript.
11) A new WG for molecular diagnostics was formed. WG has conducted a nation-wide
survey on practices in molecular diagnostics.

Regional relations
CSMBLM provided travel grants for members of regional laboratory medicine societies for bestposter abstract authors at Symposium LOKUS. In 2016, 6 grants were granted to membersof Association of Medical biochemists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (5) and Society of Medical
Biochemists of Serbia (1).

International relations
IFCC & EFLM national representative: Daria Pasalic, PhD, Associate Professor
CSMBLM representative in EQALM: Jasna Lenicek-Krleža, PhD, specialist in laboratory
medicine
CSMBLM representative EC4 Register of the European specialist in laboratory medicines:
Ivana Rako, PhD, specialist in laboratory medicine
Representative CSMBLM in European Association of Science Editors (EASE), Council of
Science Editors (CSE), Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): Prof. Ana-Maria Simundic,
PhD, specialist in laboratory medicine, Biochemia Medica-Editor-in-chief
Representative CSMBLM in European co-operation for accreditation (EA): Ines Vukasovic,
PhD, specialist in laboratory medicine
During 2016 CSMBLM national representative in EFLM and IFCC, and Committee for
information and public relations, with support of CSMBLMExecutive board regularly informed
the membership about and IFCC and EFLM activities and forwarded all calls for nominationsin EFLM and IFCC working groups and committees.
CSMBLM representative and corresponding member of the IFCC and World Association ofSocieties of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Task force for chronic renal diseases (TFCKD): Vanja Radisic Biljak, PhD
Corresponding Member of the IFCC Task force for young scientist: Ivana Lapić

Additional information
Journal BIOCHEMIA MEDICA continues with activities for improving the quality and positionof the journal among international scientific publications. Impact factor for 2015 was 3.051
and all articles published from 2016 will be cited in Current Contents.
Committee for information and public relations
Regularly cooperated and promoted CSMBLM in international associations with preparing
newsletters and notifications for IFCC and EFLM bulletins.
Organised activities related to promotion of the CSMBLM activities in the public: promotion of
the symposium LOKUS 2016 and 27th CSMBLM symposium at the web portals and in daily
newspapers.
81

Croatian Centre for Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine (CROQALM)CROQALM, member of EQALM (CSMBLM representative in EQALM: Jasna Lenicek-Krleža,PhD, specialist in laboratory medicine).
In 2016. CROQALM performed three cycles of external quality control (March, June,
September).
Working groups of CROQALM team working on the improvement of the quality of the sample(commutability of sample for biochemistry module and introduced fresh blood sample
in haematology module in cooperation with Croatian Institute for transfusion medicine),
improvement existing program of data processing, update existing website and intensive
training (education members of tim and customers).
CROQALM organise 27th Symposiumof CSMBLM: “External Quality Assessment in Croatia:
from sample to evaluation” (September 10, 2016) with sponsored lecture of RIQAS. All
CROQALM activities CROQALM tim are presented and lecture abstracts are publish in
Biochemia Medica and presentation are available on CROQALM web site
Active participation in EQALM symposium and annual meeting EQALM (Vlasic Tanaskovic J)
in Barcelona (Spain)..
Publish original paper in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (September 2016 DOI:
10.1515/cclm-2016-0284)(Vlasic Tanskovic J, Couch W, Lenicek Krleza J, Vukovic Rodriguez
J. Peer groups splitting in Croatian EQA scheme: a trade-off between homogeneity andsample size number”.
Participated and prepared 4 article for Biochemia medica journal, Special issue of external
quality assesment in laboratory medicine (publish in February 2017)
Applications for national program for quality control in 2017 (three cycles) is opened from
December 2th, 2016

CUBA

CUBAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGISTS
Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

IX National Meetingof Clinical Pathology
CONAPAC2016.

March 9-11

Society’s contribution forthe meeting
General topics on Laboratory
Medicine

Education
We organized the AACC-CSCP Workshop: “Verifying Assay Performance: Steps To Follow
To Verify Manufacturer’s Claims”, with the support of AACC Latin-American Working Group
within CONAPAC2016

Regional meetings

82

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Internacional Congress for Advancesin Medicine. Civil Hospital of
Guadalajara, MÉXICO.

February 25-27

Three persons, lecturesdelivered.

XXIII Congress ALAPAC/ML., Río deJaneiro, BRASIL.
XIII National Congress ofClinicalLaboratorians of Panamá and X
Panamerican Meeting of Medical
Technology 2016, PANAMÁ.

September 27-30

One person, lecturedelivered.

September 1-3

One person, lecturedelivered.

International relations
The NR of the CSCP participated in the IFCC GC in Madrid, March 19-21.

Additional information
The CSCP received the support of IFCC VLP to bring to Cuba Dr. Carl Burtis and Dr.
Robert Rej, both from US.

CZECH REPUBLICCZECH SOCIETY OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMSITRY (CSKB)National meetings
Name of the meeting
Menhir of prof. Masopust

Date
28 January 2016, Prague

Topic
Metabolic syndrome

RANK 2016

3 – 4 February 2016,
Pardubice

INDC 2016 – 16th
International Nutrition &Diagnostics Conference
BIOLAB 2016

3 - 6 October 2016, Prague

Routine analysis of nucleic
acids by molecular biologicalmethods
Nutrition and human health

Atherosclerosis 2016

9 - 10 September 2016,
PragueFONS 201611 - 13 September 2016,
Pardubice

XVth Conference on
Monoclonal Gammopathy

11 October 2016, Hradec
Kralove

8 – 10 May 2016, SrníNational meeting oflaboratory technicians
Atherosclerosis – diagnostics,
treatment and prevention in
adults and children
Advances in clinicalchemistry and laboratory
medicine
Monoclonal gammopathy

Education
Co-operation on study courses of clinical biochemistry at 8 Medical Faculties in Czech
Republic, cooperation with Institute of Postgraduate Training in Prague.
Co-operation with Ministry of Health in transformation of postgraduate education of medical
doctors: Medical Faculties have been responsible for this education (instead of Instituteof Postgraduate Studies in Prague) since the beginning of the year 2012, new educational
programme was developed in 2015 and finalized in 2016 .

83

Active participation on the project Lab Tests Online – education of patients and their relatives
as well as non-laboratory workers in health care in problems of laboratory medicine; finalizationof translations (see web pages: http://www.labtestsonline.cz). All items from US web pages
were translated and are available for Czech readers

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

9th Central-Moravian Regional 21 – 22 January 2016, Kouty
Days
nad Desnou
Regional meeting of clinicalbiochemists – West Bohemia

20 April 2016, Klatovy

Working day of section oflaboratory technicians

13 April 2016, Prague

Regional conference
Nejedly´s Kladno

6April 2016, Kladno

34th Regional meeting ofclinical biochemists (Southand Eastern Bohemianregion)Regional meeting of
Moravian-Silesian Region

2 – 3 June 2016, Ceske
Budejovice

Working day of section oflaboratory technicians

5 October 2016, Prague

35th Regional conference ofclinical biochemistry

7 – 9 December 2016,
Karlova Studanka

POCT conference

12 October 2016, Ostrava

6 – 7 June 2016, ZermaniceSociety’s contribution for the
meeting

Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Clinical chemistry andcomplex diagnostics,
Czech Society of Clinical
Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Interdisciplinary cooperation,
Czech Society of Clinical
Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Preanalytical phase,
Czech Society of Clinical
Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor
Varia, Czech Society ofClinical Biochemistry was theprincipal guarantor

International relations- Our representatives (Prof. Zima and Prof. Racek) participated at IFCC General Conference
and EFLM General Assembly in Madrid- Prof. Racek participated at the EC4 Register Commission- Prof. Zima worked as Member-at-Large, EFLM Executive Board- Prof. Zima, prof. Racek, prof. Jabor, prof. Prusa, Dr. Kocna, Dr. Kotaska, Dr. Cibicek,
Dr. Rajdl, Dr. Franekova, Ing. Sprongl, prof. Palicka, Dr. Sebesta and Dr. Salekworked
asmembers of various IFCC and EFLM committees and working groups

84Additional information
Approval of three new various national clinical biochemistry guidelines in 2016.
Editing the national scientific journal “Klinicka biochemie a metabolismus”, co-editing
journal “FONS”, publishing news in clinical biochemistry and activities of the Czech Societyof Clinical Biochemistry.
Expert guaranty of EQA system in Czech Republic.

EGYPT

THE EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRYAND LABORATORIES SCIENCES (ESCC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

59th Scientific Congress

2-3 November,2016

Laboratory Medicine Update

Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Workshop 3

Managing Quality Challenges
In Laboratoty Medicine,AnInteractive Workshop
Changes in the Harvest andProduction of Stem Cells for
The Treatment of
Hematological Diseases andRegenerative Medicine
Current & Future Applicationsof POCT

By Prof Graham Beastall

By Prof Mathias
Freund,Universityof Rostok,Germany
By Prof Mohamed Shaarawy

Education
3 Workshops 2,3 November,2016 during the 59th Congress of the Egyptian Society of Clinical
Chemistry,Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel,Cairo,Egypt
Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Laboratoty Medicine Update

2-3 November,2016Society’s contribution forthe meeting
59th Congress organized by
Egyptian
Saciety of Clinical Chemistry
16 Lectures (oralpresentation)
22 Posters
Number of Attendees 200
Exhibition by Intenational andlocal
Copanies

Regional relations
Arab Federation of Clinical Biology

85

International relations
IFCC
WHO EMRO

Additional information
The Most important Lectures were
1-Lipidomic Biomarkers in Vascular and Metabolic Diseases (Prof Gerd
Schmitz,Regenzburg,Germany)
2-Implementation of DNA Sequencing as a Method of second tier in Newborn Screening (ProfShaheid
Shadeidy,Carolina,USA )3-Pharmacogenomics of HCV Therapy ( Prof Mohamed Shaarawy,Cairo,Egypt)
4-Future of Laboratory Medicine Worldwide ( Prof Graham Beastall,Uiversity of Gasgow,UK,Past
President IFCC)
Several Lectures on:• New Cardiac Biomarkers in Acute Coronary Syndrome• Role of Irisin in Diabetes Mellitus• Metabolic Syndrome• Gut Microbiota and Host Health.A New Clinical Frontier• MicroRNA in Cancer• Gene Polymorphism in Bronchial Asthma• Towards Error vs Measurment Uncertainity,Sailing Against the Wind
The59th Congress was directed by Prof Mohamed Shaarawy, President of Egyptian Society ofClinical Chemistry.

FINLANDFINNISH SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (SKKY)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Spring meeting

7.-8.4.2016

Service design, lean

17.-18.11.2016

Internal quality assurance,
Workshops on validation,
Management of preanalyticalerrors, Quality indicators,
Sample transportation

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meetingNFKK Board Meeting

22.4.2016

Tommi Vaskivuo was thenational representative at themeeting held in Denmark

Fall meeting

Regional meetings

86Regional relations
FSCC is a member society of the Nordic Federation of Clinical Chemistry (NFKK, Nordisk
Forening for Klinisk Kemi). The Finnish members in the board of NFKK during year 2016 havebeen Tommi Vaskivuo and Petra Anttila.
Klinisk Biokemi i Norden is a scientific journal published by the NFKK. The journal published
4 issues in 2016 and it was freely distributed to all members of the NFKK member societies.

International relations
Päivi Laitinen was the national representative of FSCC in IFCC.

ESTONIAESTONIAN SOCIETY FOR LABORATORY MEDICINENational meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

General meeting of theSociety (ESLM)

March 31, 2016, KohtlaJärve, East Viru County

General meeting of the Society(ESLM) togerher with United
October 20, 2016, Tartu
Laboratories, Tartu University
Clinics

TopicModel of Quality Indicators(MQI), Acitivities of IFCC TFPOCT Working Group „How
should Glucose Meters be
Evaluated“,
Report of ESLM LOINC Working
Group, Why Microbiology
Results Differ from Others?,
How to Display Laboratory
Results in Electronic Medical
Health Record,
Odor based Diagnostics,
Air Decontamination inLaboratories, Vacuum Tubes
from East Virumaa, Approval of
the Annual Report 2015.
History of United Laboratories,
20 Years of Cardiac Markers –from ASAT to high sensitivity
troponin,
GlucometerinMeasuring Ketones, Ketogenic
Diet,
Detection of Micro-organisms in
United Laboratories,
Screening of Inherited Metabolic
Diseases in Newborn Babies,
From Black and White toColourful Chromosomes,
8 Years of Molecular Diagnostics
of Cancers,
Colorectal Cancer Screening in
Estonia87

Education
Katrin Reimand and Karel Tomberg participated as lecturers in GP’s training course “Colorectal
Cancer Screening

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
XIII Baltic Congress inLaboratory Medicine(under the auspices of IFCC
and EFLM)

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

May 12 – 14, 2016

ESLM organised theCongress, together with
Latvian and Lithuaniansocieties (BALM). IFCC
Visiting Lecturer ProgrammeInternational relations
ESLM is the member of the following international organisations: IFCC, EFLM, EC4 Register
Commission, BALM, ESCMID (EUCAST)
Helle Järv participated in EUCAST subcommittee (AFST).
Marina Ivanova participated in EUCAST meeting and EUCAST AFST meeting in ECCMID
2016 (April, Amsterdam).
Agnes Ivanov participated as corresponding member in theIFCC Task Force “How should
Glucose Meters be Evaluated for Critical Care“ (TF-POCT)
Anna Velts participated as corresponding member in theIFCC Task Force „Young Scientists“(TF-YS)

Additional information
Together with Estonian Society of Bioanalysts ESLM published two isuses of a new journal„Estonian Laboratory Medicine“ (in March and in November).
Working groups are working in the fields of• Laboraotory terminology,• LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes),• Microbiology and EUCAST (Standardisation of Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing)• Professional standard of Medial Laboratory Specialist,• Quality of POCT in Family Medicine,• Laboratory Quality,• Kidney Biomarkers,• Cardiac Markers• Laboratory Hematology and
Diagnostics of Urogenital Infections
Colorectal cancer screening programme started in July 2016.

88

FRANCESOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE BIOLOGIE CLINIQUE (SFBC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
National meetings with
SFBC auspices:

Date

Topic

Paris HealthCare Week,

Paris
May 26th, 2016

Certification and accreditationof clinical laboratories

FHF / FNSPBHU /CNMBHU Symposium
50th Journées de Biologie
Praticienne

Université Paris Descartes,
Paris
December 1st, 2016
Maison de la Chimie, Paris
December 2nd - 3rd, 2016

Position and role of Laboratory
Medicine in Healthcare system
Endocrinology / Haematology /Microbiology

Education• Educational Committeechaired by Dr C. Augereau and Dr F. Guerber- Continuous professional development (DPC) and continuous medical education (CME)through SFBC scientific meeting sessions• Committee on Evaluation of Professional Practices (C-EPP): chaired by Dr I. Aimone-Gastin(Nancy)- National Agreement SFBC as Validating Society for “EPP”• Relations with the Federation of Medical Specialities (FSM)

Regional meetings
Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Name of the meeting

Location and Date

2016 AACC Annual Meeting

Philadelphia (PA, USA)
July 31st – August 4th, 2016

Meetings with AACC and LTO

4th Jordanian International
Conference of the JSMLS

Amman (Jordan)
April 7th - 9th, 2016

Session chairmanship

National Meeting of the STBC Tunis (Tunisia)
May 13th - 15th, 2016

Roundtable

4th Joint EFLM-UEMS
meeting

Warsaw (Poland)
September 21st – 24th, 2016

Invited lectures

National Conference of the
Bulgarian Society

Golden Sands (Bulgaria)
September 29th - 30th, 2016

Plenary lecture

24th BCLF Meeting

Tirana (Albania)
October 5th - 7th, 2016

Invited lecture

3rd FIFBCML Congress /Rabat (Morocco)
16th Annual meeting of theOctober 13th - 15th, 2016
Moroccan Society for Clinical
Biology
Bengalore (India)
ACBICON 2016
December 13th - 15th, 2016

Session chairmanship

Invited lecture and session
chairmanship89International relations• Coordination by SFBC Committee on International Relations:- Prof.P. Gillery- Dr B. Gouget- Dr M. Vaubourdolle• SFBC representatives:- IFCC: Prof. P. Gillery- EFLM: Dr M. Vaubourdolle- WASPaLM: Prof. J. Goudable• Participation in the International Advisory Board of next IFCC/EFLM meetings:- IFCC General Conference Madrid 2016 (Dr B. Gouget)- EFLM / IFCC Athens 2017 (Dr B. Gouget (COC), Michel Vaubourdolle ( ISAB)), andSatellite Meeting Diabetes “Under Poseidon’s Eye” (Pr P. Gillery, ISC)
- IFCC Durban WorldLab 2017( Pr P. Gillery) (ISAB and ISC) and Satellite Meeting –Biomarkers in Diabetes, Cape Town 2017 (Pr P. Gillery, ISC)• SFBC: founding member of the FIFBCML: Fédération Internationale Francophone de
Biologie Clinique et de Médecine de Laboratoire.
Participation in 3 meetings in 2016:- 4th Jordanian International Conference of the Jordan Society for Medical Laboratory
Sciences, Amman (Jordan), April 7th - 9th, 2016
- Meeting of the Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology, Tunis (TU), May 13th - 15th, 2016
- 3rd FIFBCML Congress and 16th Meeting of the Moroccan Society of Clinical Biology,
Rabat (MO), October 13th - 15th, 2016

Additional information
Participation of SFBC members in IFCC Committees and Working Groups
 IFCC-SD EC

P. Gillery, Vice-Chair, 2014-2016
 IFCC-SD

Committees– Nomenclature, properties and units (C-NPU)(Silver book (WG))– Molecular diagnostic ( C-MD)– Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM)

F. Scherrer, Member, 2015-2017(G. Férard, Chair)
K. Peoc’h, corresp. Member
A. Vassault, corresp. Member– Standardization of thyroid function tests (C-STFT)

P. Carayon, corresp. Member

Working groups– Clinical Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Proteomics (WG-cMSP)
S. Lehmann, Chair,2014-2016– Standardization of Carbohydrate-Deficient-Transferrin (WG-CDT)
F. Schellenberg,
Member– Parathyroid hormone (WG-PTH)
J.C. Souberbielle, Member– Commutability (WG-C)
V. Delatour, Member– Standardization of Troponin I (WG-TNI)
G. Lefèvre, corresp. Member– Harmonization of antibody tests (WG-HAT)
P. Carayon, corresp. Member
M. Arock, corresp. Member– Standardisation of Hemoglobin A2 (WG-HbA2)
90

– Standardisation of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein
R. Garnotel, corresp.
Member(WG-PAPPA)– Standardisation of Albumin Assay in Urine (WG-SAU) E. Caussé, corresp. Member
 IFCC-EMD

Committees– Committee on Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine (C-EBLM)
J. Wils, Member– Committee on Analytical Quality (C-AQ)
A. Vassault, corresp. Member– Committee on Education in the Use of Biomarkers of Diabetes(C-EUBD)
M. Fonfrède, corresp. Member
Working groups– Flow Cytometry (WG-FC)– Cancer Genomics (WG-CG)

C. Lambert, Member
P.J. Lamy, Member

 IFCC-CPD– IFCC News and WG-IFCC NewsD Gruson, Member

 IFCC-TF and IFCC-IP– Task force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)
G. Boursier, Member, 2014-2016– Task force on Proficiency testing (TF-PT)
A. Perret-Liaudet, Member, 20142016– Task force on point of care testing (TF-POCT)
P. Pernet, Member, 2014-2016– Task force on chronic kidney disease (integrated project)(TF-CKD)
J.P. Cristol, corresp. Member
 IFCC-CCC		P. Carayon, corresp. Member
 IFCC-Nominations Committee (2015-2017) B. Gouget , chair IFCC Madrid General conference 2016B. Gouget , chair

Participation in Lab Test Online Project
J.P. Bali, B.Gouget
SFBC Board

V. Ducros

2016

Executive Board:• President
Pr Marc DELPECH• Vice-President
Pr Vincent SAPIN• Past-President
Pr Joëlle GOUDABLE• General Secretary
Dr Véronique ANNAIX• Assistant General Secretary
Pr Bruno BAUDIN• Treasurer
Dr Philippe CHATRON		
Scientific Committee:
Pr Sylvain LEHMANN		Dr Katell PEOC’H
91

Editor in Chief ABC:Pr Jean-Louis BEAUDEUX

Educational Committee:
		

Dr Christine AUGEREAU-VACHER
Dr Fabrice GUERBERDr Isabelle AIMONE-GASTINLab Test Online:		

Dr Véronique DUCROSPr Jean-Pierre BALIInternational Relations:				Pr Philippe GILLERYDr Bernard GOUGETDr Michel VAUBOURDOLLE

National Relations: 				Dr Marie-Françoise GAUDEAU-TOUSSAINTDr Carole POUPON

Meetings and Conferences:

Dr Michel VAUBOURDOLLE

E-learning:

Pr Damien GRUSON

Young Scientists:

Dr Guilaine BOURSIERGERMANYDEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR KLINISCHE CHEMIE
UND LABORATORIUMSMEDIZIN e. V. (DGKL)National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Annual Meeting of the DGKL,
Sept 28-30, 2016
Mannheim
Annual Meeting of the
DGKL Division MolecularDiagnostics, Tutzing
Annual meeting of the DGKLDivision Endocrinological
Diagnostics, Berlin
Annual meeting of the DGKLWorking Group LC-MS/MS,
Bad Staffelstein

Topic
Entire range of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine

May 7, 2016

Liquid Biopsy

Apr 22, 2016

Laboratory Diagnosis ofDiabetes

Nov 7-8, 2016

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Education
Several Short Courses in the context of the Annual Meeting of the DGKL.
Revision course Clinical Chemistry, Hannover, Nov 21-25, 201692

International relations
Active participation in IFCC including Working Groups, Task Forces etc.
Journal of Laboratory Medicine, Official Journal of the German Society of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
Supporting Society of MSACL (Mass Spectrometry Application to the Clinical Laboratory)

GUATEMALA

ASOCIACIÓN DE QUÍMICOS BIÓLOGOS DE GUATEMALA
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Conference

29-01-2016

Food Safety and Quaality

Conference

12-02-2016

Tumorals Markers

Workshop

04-03-2016

BacteriologicalQuality of Water.

Conference

08-04-2016

Mycrobiological Drug ResistanceConference

06-05-2016

Mycoplasma Sp and Clamydia Infections.

Conferencie

10-06-2016

Mody Diabetes

Conference

08-07-2017

Conference

20-08-2016

Conference

02-09-2016

Conference

07-10-2016

Conference

04-11-2016

Quality Indicators in Medicine Laboratory

Conference

11-11-2016

Paterity TestInterpretation.

Conference

02-12-2016

Corn Mycotoxin in the dietand theassociation with Neural Tube disease,in research.

Thyroid Hormones and its effect in the
behavior
Needs for the diagnostic of Zika, Dengue andChikungunya virus and the prevention
Ministerial Agreement and Guide forEnvironment Protectionfrom Medicine
Laboratroy
Mycotoxins in the diet and its effect in thehealth.

Education
1. External Quality AssessmentProgram
2. External Quality Assessment Program after each assay , one activity for each month .
3. Medical Laboratory Technicians School
4. Continuous Educational Program (one activity for each month ; first Friday of each month)93

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Forum: Interpretation of thecritical requirement from ISO
Guide 15189 for Medicine
Laboratories

14-10-2016

opportunity to participate 40
coleagues fron our Society.

Regional relations
Asociación de Químicos Biólogos (Clinical Chemist Society ) member of COLABIOCLI
Member of the Committee for Wiener Prize that give during the COLABIOCLILatin-American
Congress of Clinical ChemistryRadio Microscopio Member.

International relations
IFCCNational Representative
IFCCEMD member of the Committee
IFCCWG IANTmember
IFCCNominationCommittee member

Additional information
Our information:www.aqbg.org
www.peecsystem.com

HUNGARYHUNGARY SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINE(MLDT)
National meetings

94

Name of the meeting

Date

QualiCont Forum

February 5, 2016, Budapest

Topic• Quality Assurance• Celebration of the20th anniversary of
the foundation of the
QualiCont Ltd.

58th National Congress ofthe Hungarian Society ofLaboratory Medicine

August 25-27, 2016, Szeged• Celebration of 70th
anniversary of thefoundation of the Society• Routine Laboratory
Diagnostics• Case presentations inlaboratory medicine• The role of laboratory
medicine in clinicalresearch• Hematology andhemostasis• Clinical Microbiology• Endocrinology• Joint session of laboratory
specialists with clinicians• Youth Forum - “You havethe X factor” competition
for young presenters

Education
There was a postgraduate training course on the laboratory diagnostics of hemostasis
disorders organized by the Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Debrecen (May30 - June 3, 2016, Debrecen).
Education in laboratory diagnostics of thyroid diseases and immune-mediated neurologic
disorders was held on September 21, 2016, Budapest organized by the Hungarian Society of
Immunology and our Society.
In additions, several one-day training courses were organized by in vitro diagnostic companies
in different fields of laboratory medicine, such as cardiac biomarkers.
We have edited a special issue of IME (Journal of Hungarian Interdisciplinary Medicine) aboutpublic finances of the laboratory medicine in the Hungarian health care system:
http://www.imeonline.hu/article.php?article=2016._XV./98/a_laborkassza_elemzese_
makrotrendek_es_szakmai_programok

Regional relations
Our Society was invited and represented at the National Congress of the Slovakian Societyof Clinical Biochemistry in Kosice, May 29-31, 2016. We have prepared a new agreement
to strengthen the relationship between our Society and the Slovakian Society. We agreedi) to collaborate more closely with each other, ii) to invite the members to the conferences
organized by the other society, and iii) to consulate regularly about the current prospects anddaily problems in the field of laboratory medicine.

International relations
Prof. Gábor L. Kovács: eJIFCC Chief Editor, IFCC Communications and Publications Division
Executive Committee,

95Additional information
A special issue of the electric Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine (eJIFCC) has also been devoted to the 70-year-anniversary (http://www.
ifcc.org/media/415280/eJIFCC2016Vol27No2.pdf).
Our Society renewed its official website (www.mldt.hu) via redesigning the outlook of the
webpage and expanding all the information, which may be useful for the Members of ourSociety. The new version of the website was introduced on the opening day of the National
Conference in August 2016.

ICELAND

THE ICELANDIC SOCIETY FOR LABORATORY MEDICINENational meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Annual meeting of ISCBLM

11.05.2016

Cardiac tropnins

Education
A few educational meetings were held.
ISCBLM does not organize specialist training programs.

International relations
The Nordic Society of Clinical Chemistry: Nordic cooperation is a regular aspect of the activitiesof The Icelandic Society for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ISCBLM)that gives
an important professional support. Apart from participating in the various activities ofThe
Nordic Society of Clinical Chemistry the Icelandic society has a member of the editorial board
for a popular journal called Nordic Clinical Biochemistry (Klinisk Biokemi i Norden). The journal
is issued four times a year and the current chief editor is icelandic.The Nordic Congresses inClinical Chemistry is held every secone year and attracts a large number of participants, froma diversity of laboratory disciplines as well as numerous exhibitors of laboratory equipment.
The congress will be arranged in Iceland in 2022.
ISCBLM is a member of The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (EFLM) andThe International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine.

INDIA

ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BICHEMISTS OF INDIA (ACBI)
National meetings
Name of the meetingDaterd43 . Annual National conference of
ACBI, Kasturba Medical College,
12 – 15th. December 2016
Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

96

Topic

Education
ACBI National Conference – Mangalore
4 workshops were conducted as follows:• 1st. workshop on “Hemoglobin variants –the fundamentals and challenges was adressedby Dr. Prashantha, Dr.Harsha Prasad L, Dr.Karuna Ramesh kumar, Mrs.Priyanka Upadhyai
and Dr Urmila Khadilkar.
• 2nd Workshop was on “Advances in laboratory management and proficiency testing” wasaddressed by Dr Shrikala Baliga, Dr Jayesh Warade, Dr K Ashok Prabhu, Dr Avinash SS,
Mr Sivasankar and Mr. Sten Westgard, Director of Client Services and Technology for
Westgard Quality Control, USA.
• 3rd was a CME on” Framing clinically oriented MCQs and designing OSPE stations in
Biochemistry-Ahands on approach” addressed by Dr. Minnie Faith, Dr.Pragna Rao, Dr.Ciraj,
and Dr. Anand R.
• The 4th was the “The IFCC–TFYS, CME on Career Opportunities for Young Scientists” which
was coordinated by Dr. Pradeep K Dabla, Chair, IFCC-TFYS and was aslo addressed by
Dr.Ullas Kamath, Dr. Elizabeth Frank EB APFCB & IFCC , Dr.Anna Velts, Head of Laboratory
at West Tallin and Central Hospital,Estonia, Dr. Praveen Sharma Chief Editor IJCB, Dr.
Sandeep Sewlikar, Roche Diagnostics. Also a Webinar“IFCC Vision of Research andCareer for Young Scientists” was conducted by Dr. Graham Beastall, Past President IFCC.
Dr Bernard Gouget (IFCC-EB) and Dr. L M Shrivastava (ACBI-EB) were the chairpersons
for the webinar.
Others who delivered lectures during the Annual National Conference were:
1. Mr.StenWestgard, Director of Client Services and Technology for Westgard Quality Control,
USA (Assuring Quality from A(lbumin) to V(iral load): How High Quality Assays can drive
operational efficiencies and assure good clinical outcomes),
2. Dr. D M Vasudevan (Inborn errors of metabolism; An overview and our experience),
3. Dr. K.S. Gopinath, Padmashree awardee, Surgical Oncologist, HCG Bangalore Instituteof Oncology (Perspectives of tumor markers in clinical oncology in the era of personalized
medicine),
4. Symposia on Cardiovascular Diseases, speakers Dr. Ashok Chandra Rao, Dr. Chandrika
Meegamaand and Dr. Narasimha Pai
5. Symposia on Cancer, the speakers were Dr. Praveen Kumar Shetty,Dr.Rajamanickam
Arivazhagan, Dr.Shyam Prakash and Dr.Satya Vati Rana .
7. Dr.Tony Badrick spoke on “Data mining Sigma metrics” and Dr.Abha Gupta on “Massspectroscopy’
8. Lab Management were addressed by Dr.Shyamali Pal, and Dr.Shilpa Puthran.
9. A webinar on “High sensitive Trop-I” was addressed by Dr.Jaganathan Sickan and “Nextgene sequencing in transforming oncology“ by Dr. Kahlil Lawless.
10. Dr. P. JayadevaBhat ,Professor, Dept. of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT, Mumbai on
the topic “About Men, Mice and Yeast: Perspective from the Vantage point”(2) The Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), under the aegis of North
Zone and Delhi Chapter of the Association of Clinical Biochemistry of India (ACBI), conducted
the 5th annual CME titled “BIOMARKER GUIDED OPTIMIZATION OF PATIENT CARE” on
Sunday, the 20th of March, 2016.
JAMMU & KASHMIR BRANCH
A one day National Seminar entitled “CLINBIO CME 2016” was hosted by the Department ofClinical Biochemistry at Sher-E-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences on 29th March 2016.
The meeting was held under the aegis of Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI)
J&K Branch and ACBI North Zone.

97

CHANDIGARH BRANCHThe Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER, Chandigarh along with the Chandigarh chapterof Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI), organized a one day symposium on“Intellectual Property Rights: Patenting in Medical Research” on November 4, 2016.
DELHI STATE BRANCH(1) A CME on ‘Attaining & Maintaining Accreditation- The Challenges Along the Path’ wasorganized on 4th Feb 2016 ACBI North zone branch joint association with consortium of
accreditated health care organization (CAHO) and faculty of Biochemistry Department of Sir
Ganga Ram Hospital.
(2) The Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), under the aegis ofNorth Zone and Delhi Chapter of the Association of Clinical Biochemistry of India (ACBI),
conducted the 5th annual CME titled “BIOMARKER GUIDED OPTIMIZATION OF PATIENT
CARE” on Sunday, the 20th of March, 2016.
JAMMU & KASHMIR BRANCH
A one day National Seminar entitled “CLINBIO CME 2016” was hosted by the Department ofClinical Biochemistry at Sher-E-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences on 29th March 2016.
The meeting was held under the aegis of Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI)
J&K Branch and ACBI North Zone.
CHANDIGARH BRANCHThe Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER, Chandigarh along with the Chandigarh chapterof Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI), organized a one day symposium on“Intellectual Property Rights: Patenting in Medical Research” on November 4, 2016.

Regional meetings
Name of the meetingDate

14th. Asian Pacific Congressof Clinical Biochemistry,
Taipei, Taiwan

26– 29 November2016

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

The society put up
a symposium on“Neurodegenerative
Disorders” in which 5
speakers spoke on various
aspects.
5 young delegates from India
received the Young Scientists
Scholarship including the
IFCC & APFCB Travel Award.
to attend & present theirwork.

Regional relations(1) At the ACBI National Meet in Mangalore, India, delegates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, Iran and many Middle East countries actively participated in this meet.
(2) Many members of ACBI are actively participating in the affairs of APFCB. Dr Elizabeth Frank(Bangalore), Dr Praveen Sharma (Jaipur) , Dr MVR Reddy (Sewagram), as chairpersons/members of various divisions & sub-committees.
98International relations
The Association hosted “The IFCC–TFYS, CME on Career Opportunities for Young Scientists”.
Dr. Pradeep K Dabla, Chair, IFCC-TFYS, spoke on “Career Opportunities for Young Scientistswhich way to go”. The session on “Teaching skills for young scientists“was delivered by
Dr.Ullas Kamath, Dean MMMC Manipal. Dr. Elizabeth Frank, EB APFCB & IFCC spoke on“Biotechnology Industry and Career for Young Scientists”. Dr. Anna Velts, Head of Laboratory
at West Tallin and Central Hospital, Estonia, dealt with the topic “Laboratory Service Delivery
for Young Scientists”. The session on “The Publishers & Medical Writing career for Young
Scientists was conducted by Dr. Praveen Sharma Chief Editor IJCB ,EB – APFCB. “Career
Avenues in IVD industry: Bright Light Ahead” by Dr. Sandeep Sewlikar Roche Diagnostics.
The Webinar on” IFCC Vision of Research and Career for Young Scientists” was addressedby Dr. Graham Beastall, Past President IFCC. Dr Bernard Gouget (IFCC-EB) and Dr. L M
Srivastavawere the chairpersons for the webinar.

Additional information
The 44th Annual National Conference of the association will be held in the state of Uttar
Pradesh, in Lucknow from 3 – 6th December 2017.
The following were elected as office bearers of ACBI for the year 2017:
President: Dr. Poornima Manjrekar; Vice President (I) & Organizing Secretary, ACBICON
2017: Prof. Abbas Ali Mahdi; Vice President (II): Dr. Jairam Rawtani; Advisor: Prof. K.P. Sinha;
Secretary: Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Sinha; Treasurer: Dr. Krishna Ranjan Prasad; Joint Secretary:
1. Dr. Anupama Hegde, 2. Dr. Ram Binay Sinha; Zonal Council Members: North Zone: Dr.
Dharamveer Yadav; South Zone: Dr. Kanan Vaidyanathan; East Zone: Dr. A. N. Roy; West
Zone: Dr. Sadanand Naik; Central Zone: Dr. Shivani Pandey

INDONESIAINDONESIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY(HKKI)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
National Congress ofIndonesia Association ofClinical Chemistry

Date
April 21-24, 2016

Topic
“In vitro diagnostic innovation
for the enhancement ofclinical laboratory quality”

Education
1.

2.

3.

4.

IACC held Quality Control Workshops and Seminar. Cooperates with Abbott Diagnostic
IACC held Six Sigma Series with Dr. Sten Westgard from USA cooperated with
Abbott Diagnostic. The topic of this Workshop and Seminar is Internal Quality Control
Troubleshooting and Interpretation of External Quality Assurance.
IACC EB supported Seminar in Semarang Central Java province of Indonesia. Cooperated
with Diponegoro University and Indonesian Association of Clinical Pathology Semarang
branch, IACC Semarang branch held Seminar and Workshop on Urinalysis.
May I Help You Program is the pre analytic survey held by IACC in cooperation with BD.
Through this program we share our knowledge to increase the quality of pre analytic phasein Laboratory Medicine in Indonesia. In 2016, there were 24 clinical labs and hospital labsthat run this programmes. From 2011, we have made the pre-analytic survey in 70 outlets.
APFCB Travelling Lecture. Supported by APFCB, Dr. Graham Jones, PhD from New
South Wales University Australia kindly visited Indonesia and spoke about Laboratory
Management and Chronic Kidney Disease during 14th National Congress of IACC.
99

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

14th APFCB Congress

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meetingNovember 26-29, 2016

Speaker on about Pre
analytic Improvement –Indonesia experience & the
APFCB initiative Symposium

IRAN

BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Date
th
th
The 9 International & 14
National Congress on Quality 19-22 April 2016
Improvement in ClinicalLaboratories
General Assembly

20 April 2016

General Assembly

8 Dec 2016

Topic

Board of Directors electedby the General Assembly of
IACLD
Megalab Establishment,
2016-2017 Tariffs

Education
1. Comprehensive supervisor training course in clinical laboratory, 24 Dec 2016, Tehran.
2. Clinical Laboratory Supervisors skills training course, 14 Dec 2016, Tehran.
3. Course on the theoretical and practical aspects of sampling in the clinical laboratory, 14
Nov 2016, Tehran.
4. Quality assurance in Clinical Biochemistry, 22 Oct 2016, Tehran.
5. Training Course for reception persons in clinical laboratory, 8 Oct 2016, Tehran.
6. Laboratory Economics One-day Seminar (costs and tariffs), 3 Mar 2016, Tehran
7. Introduction to laboratory quality management systems for lab directors, 7 Jan- 7Jun 2016,
Tehran8. Clinical Laboratory Errors, 7 Jan 2016, Tehran.
9. Workshop on Immunohematology and Blood Bank, 2-3 Feb 2016, Tehran
10.
Challenges in the interpretation of clinical laboratory results, 3-5 Mar 2016, Tehran
11.
Clinical and laboratory aspects of hirsutism, 4 Feb 2016, Tehran.

Regional relations
Starting the membership to Asian-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry And Laboratory
Medicine (APFCB)International relations
IACLD is a member of the IFCC and APFCB.
Taking part in the IFCC General Conference in Madrid, 2016
Taking part in the APFCB General Assembly in Taiwan, 2017100

Additional information
1- Holding the 9th International & 14th National Congress on Quality Improvement in ClinicalLaboratories, 20-23 April 2016, Tehran.
2- Executing the External Quality Assurance Program for laboratories across the country
3- Publication of a monthly printed Journal in persian called Laboratory & Diagnosis
4- Publication of two books related toClinical Laboratories

IRELANDASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS IN IRELAND(ACBI)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

ACBI 39th annual
conference, Dublin

November 2016

Topic
Direct Access to Patient
Results
Lipids100X genomes project
NGS
CFAccreditation (ISO15189)
Reflex, Reflective Testing andIncidental findings

Education
ACBI members attended national and regional meetings throughout the year
Tutorials were held for candidates preparing for Royal College of Pathologists examinations in
Clinical Biochemistry and hosted by trainers from across the profession.
Annual training assessments were held in February 2017
Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

ACB Republic of Ireland
region annual scientificmeeting, Dublin

Date

29th January 2016

Society’s contribution for the
meeting
Mary Stapleton (Senior Clinical
Biochmist Coombe Women and
Infants University Hospital, Dublin)presentation on Gestational Diabetes
Derek McKillop (Consultant Clinical
Biochemist, Soutern Helath andSocial Care Trust,Craigavon)
prsentation on H-FABP
Meeting report by Micheal Ryan
(Senior Clinical Biochemist,St John’s
Hospital, Limerick) published in ACB
news

101

Association for Clinical
Biochemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (ACB) Focus
meeting

19th to 21st April 2016

Mary Stapleton (Coombe, Dublin)presentation on Gestational Diabetes
Co-organised by Dr Maria Fitzgibbon,
Consultant Clinical Biochemist Mater
Misericodiae University Hospital,
Dublin‘Emerging Diagnostics inModern Care Pathways’
Endocrine Hypertension and
Prostate Cancer

30th Sept 2016

Paula O’Shea (Consultant Clinical
Biochemist, University College
Hospital Galway, Galway)
presentation on Advances inbiochemical diagnosis ofphaeochromocytoma and primaryaldosteronism

Regional relations
The ACBI liaised with other regional societies and were represented in meetings andeducational events hosted by other organisations e.g. Royal College of Physicians in Ireland,
Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Irish Endocrine Society, National
Cancer Control Programme, Irish national Accreditation Board, and the Irish External Quality
Assurance Scheme).

International relations
ACBI members continued to support the activities of the IFCC through participation in various
Working Groups e.g. POCT, CKD, Distance Education and e-learning

102

ITALYITALIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND
CLINICAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (SIBioC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

48° Congresso Nazionale
SIBioC – Medicina di
Laboratorio - The Patient’s
Central Role between
Laboratory and Clinical
Practice”

Date

Turin,
18-20 October 2016

Topic
• Health Technology
Assessment and Laboratory
Medicine• Platelets: morphology,
technology and clinical• Diagnosis of acutemeningoencephalitis• The Future of Laboratory
Diagnostics in the NHS• The Diagnosis of
Autoimmune Diseases: new
biomarkers and diagnostic
evaluation and treatment• New methodologies forArteriosclerosis Study:
clinical relevance andharmonization of results• circulating biomarkers: thekey role of the Laboratory• diagnostic and therapeutic
pathways in dependency
management• The Laboratory changing:working proposal of thePiedmont Region• Neurodegenerative diseases• Clinical cases selected by
Posters• Clinical Risk and Patient
Safety in Laboratory
Medicine• From basic research toclinical applications• Updates on Multiple
Myeloma103

Education
The”Schoolforcontinuous
education
inLaboratory
Medicine”(SPML,
Scuola di formazione permanente in Medicina di Laboratorio) in 2015
organized 13 courses (practical and theoretical) on the following topics:
1. Point of care
2. Haematology
3. Mass spectrometry
4. Molecular biology
5. Thrombosis and haemostasis
6. Systematic Reviews: how to read a meta-analysis
7. Immunometric Technologies

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
Percorso teorico pratico in biologia molecolare –III livelloPercorso teorico pratico in biologia molecolare - III livello(TSLB)La medicina di laboratorio oltre: dal dato analtico all’analisi
di processo
La riorganizzazione della medicina di laboratorio quali
esperienze e quali proposte dal sud Italia
La statistica in laboratorio

DateRoma, 25-28 gennaio 2016
Roma, 25-26 gennaio 2016
Sesto Fiorentino (FI), 11
febbraio 2016
Bari, 23 febbraio 2016
Milano, 24-26 febbraio 2016

Aggiornamenti in coagulazione
Potenza, 1 aprile 2016
Applicazioni della determinazione delle catene leggere libere
monoclonali
Perugia, 8 aprile 2016
Percorso teorico pratico in emostasi e trombosi – III livelloLe tecniche cromatografiche e la spettrometria di massa nellabortorio di analisi cliniche – II edizione
Updates in autoimmunity 2016
1° Convegno congiunto SIBioC- SIP – Pediatria e medicina
di laboratorio dall’interazione all’integrazione
31° Convegno di studio: Il laboratorio clinico nelle indagini
tossicologiche
Reumatologia e appropriatezza della diagnostica dilaboratorio
Il ciclo di Lundberg e i POCT: nuovi modelli di organizzazione
e di ri-organizzazione dei laboratori
Convegno regionale SIBioC Lombardia
48° Congresso Nazionale SIBioC – Medicina di Laboratorio
XX Congresso regionale multidisciplinare di medicina dilaboratorio
Corso precongressuale ”Anticoagulanti diretti orali non
vitamina K dipendenti (DOAC): quale ruolo per il laboratorio?”
Come si scrive un articolo scientifico (a cura degli editori diBiochimica Clinica)
Emocitometria a flusso: aspetti organizzativi e tecnici

104

Milano, 9-12 maggio 2016
Genova, 10 maggio 2016
Modena, 12 Maggio 2016
Palermo, 20-21 Maggio 2016
Vicenza, 26 Maggio 2016
Roma, 30 Maggio 2016
Alessandria, 9 giugno 2016
Milano, 22 Giugno 2016
Torino, 18-20 Ottobre 2016
Chieti, ottobre 2016
Torino, 18 ottobre 2016
Torino,18 Ottobre 2016
Milano, 23 novembre 2016

Il ruolo del laboratorio clinico nell’epoca della medicina delle
4P (predittiva – preventiva – personalizzata – partecipata)
Sciacca, 25 novembre 2016
La rete dei laboratori clinici e la governance delle urgenze
Padova, 6 dicembre 2016

Regional relations
SIBioC has a permanent contact with the Italian Regions by means of a network of 19 Regionaldelegates. The Regional delegates meet constantly with the Executive Board, at least twicea year.

International relations
Several speakers from all over the world attended the meeting in Turin in October, and gaveoral presentations and took active parts to Educational Workshops.

Additional information
Besides the National Congress, SIBioC organized several regional or inter-regional events in
Italy

ISRAELISRAEL SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date“Enigma and surprises in clinicalMicrobiology” Dr Yoram Kenes,
Orna Schwartz.

25.01.16

Annual meeting of the israely
society of clinical Laboratories
sciences. Dr Raoul Colodner, DrMarielle Kaplan.

29-30.03.16

Topic
This seminar is dedicated topresentations by microbiologists
of interesting and puzzeling cases
including discussion of the different
cases. This model is running alreadyfor four years with significant
success among our members• Micro RNAs in Clinical Hematology• Dyslipidemias: New horizons for an
old disease• An exciting journey to the Nanoworld: Nano biomedecine• Genetic revolution is already here
• Laboratory and clinical use ofthromboelastography• Academic panel: The academic
future ofLaboratory scientists• The Human Microbiome in healthand diseases• Reproduction and infertility:
Challenges and hopes

105Recomendations for the use of
enzymatic Creatinine. Dr Tamar
Stam, Dr sandra Appleboim.

25.05.16

Research and Development in
Clinical Laboratories during the
research week symposium at the06.11.16
meir clinical center. Dr Tali Tohami,
Dr Gloria Rashid, Dr Marielle
Kaplan.

106

Urine analysis: Recomendations
for sandartizations and clinicaluse. Dr Anat Ben Dor, Dr Marielle
Kaplan.

29.11.16

Alkaline phosphatase, the lower
the better? Dr Tamar Stam.

19.12.16

Methods for creatinine
measurement: Challenges andopportunities
IFCC Recommendations forcreatinine measurement
Validation of enzymatic method
versus jaffe method.
The forum led to recommendations
by our society for the use of
enzymatic creatinine• Tumor cells derived exosomes
contain hTERT mRNA andtransform nonmalignant fibroblasts
into telomerase positive cells.Dr
Orit Ouziel• Syndromic approach in theMicrobiology Laboratory – the
BioFire Film Array® system. Dr
Yossi Paietan• A proof of concept: MALDI-TOF asa new tool in infection control. Dr
Raoul Colodner• Introduction of a new in vitro
diagnostic assay for distinguishing
between acute bacterial and viral
infections. Dr Maanit shapira• Endogenous plasminogenactivators mediate progressive
intracranial hemorrhage after
traumatic brain injury. Prof Abd AlRoof Higazi
Standartization in urine analysis
tests
Presentation of the different
techniologies of digital microscopy
in urine analysis
Urine analyses tests in the view ofnephrologists and urologists
Alkaline phosphatase tests in the
diagnosis of hypophosphatasia
Recommendations for the definitionof reference ranges for children byusing the Caliper Database.

Education
We have developed an internet course regarding Blood smears interpretation in Hematology.
The course is open to our members and represents an important learning tool for clinicallaboratory haematologists. Although some courses are available on this subject in the web,
we decided to set up a course in Hebrew dedicated to our needs.
We are interested in completing this course into a 40 hours course (part in English would besuitable as well) and we would be happy to collaborate on this issue.

Additional information
We have established beginning this year a forum dedicated to biochemistry issues. The goal
is to issue specific recommendations following discussions among biochemists in Israel.
Recommendations were already issued regarding:
1.Troponin: change of units to IFCC standards, and recommendations when using highsensitive Troponin
2. Recommendations for the use of enzymatic creatinine.
3. Alkaline phosphatase reference range for children: use of the Caliper Database
We have just begin a new project regarding the establishment of a committee dealing withoveruse of diagnostic tests. The committee includes De Yuval Gefen, Dr Anat Ben Dor, Dr
Avi Peretz. The aim is to raise the importance of this issue within laboratory scientists and toorganize brain storming sessions to finalize tools to deal with this issue.

JAPAN

JAPAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (JSCC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

The 56th Annual Meetingof Japan Society of
2016/12/2-12/4
Clinical Chemistry (JSCC)

Topic
2 Special Lectures: Research for erythrocyte
band 3 (Hamasaki N), tRNA modification(Tomizawa K)
Foreign Invited Lecture: Brainshake’s
biomarker profiling platform based on NMR(Soininen P)
Chairman’s lecture: What have we done byclinical chemistry? (Ando Y)
Society Award Lecture: Tm mapping for thedetection of septic pathogen (Niimi H)
5 Educational Lectures: Lipid research byMS, Genetic analysis by NGS, Newborn
screening for hereditary metabolic disorders,
Leukemia with 11q23 translocation, Gastriccancer and EB virus
Project Reports from 8 Scientific Committees
5 Symposia: Creative strength of clinicalchemistry, Nerve and clinical chemistry,
Clinical testing validation, Younginvestigators’ symposium, Crosstalk between
clinical chemistry and pharmacology

107

Education
In all annual meeting of JSCC and regional meetings in Japan, educational lectures on various
clinical chemistry related subjects, such as standardization, analytic methods, and laboratory
related trouble shootings were performed by the specialists of clinical chemists. In addition,clinical chemistry related companies held various types of symposiums and educational
meetings in all over Japan all the year round.
Clinical Chemistry Academy and Educational Lecture for Certified Clinical Chemistry and
Immunochemistry Quality Assurance Medical Technologists and Professions were held in
Kumamoto on Dec 4, 2016

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Hokkaido branch: The 26th branch regular metting

2016/11/5

Tohoku branch: The 27th branch general meeting

2016/7/9

Kanto branch: The 33nd branch regular metting

2016/11/12

Koushinetsu branch: The 34rd branch general meeting

2016/6/11-12

Tokai & Hokuriku branch: The 27th branch general
meeting

2016/7/30

Kinki branch: The 69th branch regular metting

2016/7/9

Chugoku & Shikoku branch: The 12th joint regional
meeting

2016/2/13-14

Kyushu branch: The 27th branch general meeting

2016/3/19

Society’s
contribution forthe meeting

Each branch
supervises themeeting of eachregionRegional relations
Representative to APFCBCouncil: Masato Maekawa
Scientific Committee: Kiyoshi Ichihara (Chairs of Committees)
Education Committee: Susumu Osawa (Corresponding Members)
Communications: Hitoshi Chiba (Corresponding Members)
Congress and Conferences: Yuzo Kayamori (Corresponding Members)

International relations
IFCC Activity
Scientific Division (SD), Executive Committee (EC): Tsutomu Nobori, Member
SD Committees:• Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL):
Donchon Kang, Member
Kiyohide Ishikura, corresp. Member• Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU):
Masayuki Totani, corresp. Member• Molecular Diagnostics (C-MD):
Masato Maekawa, Member108• Reference Systems of Enzymes (C-RSE):
Shigeru Ueda, Member
Shin-ichi Sakasegawa, corresp. Member• Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM):
Takashi Miida, corresp. Member• Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT):
Akira Hishinuma, corresp. Member
SD Working Groups• Clinical Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Proteomics (WG-cMSP):
Yukio Ando, Member• C-NPU, Working group on the Silver Book revision:
Dongchon Kang, Member• Standardization of Albumin Assay in Urine (WG-SAU):
Yoshihisa Itho, corresp. Member• Standardization of Hemoglobin A2 (WG-HbA2):
Tadao Hoshino, corresp. Member• Standardization of Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (WG-CDT):
Fumio Nomura, corresp. Member• Standardization of Troponin I (WG-TNI):
Junichi Ishii, corresp. Member• Standardization of Insulin Assays, in collaboration with ADA/EASD(WG-SIA):
Syu Meguro, corresp. Member• Harmonisation of Autoantibody Tests (WG-HAT):
Naoya Inoue, corresp. Member• Parathyroid Hormone (WG-PTH):
Satoshi Hirayama, corresp. Member• CSF-Proteins (WG-CSF):
Kazuhiko Kotani, corresp. Member• Standardization of Bone Markers Assays (WG-BMA):
Masakazu Miura, corresp. Member• Commutabilty (WG-C):
Keita Yamashita, corresp. MemberEducation Management Division (EMD) Committees• Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum (C-CMBC):
Atsushi Watanabe, Member• Analytical Quality (C-AQ):
Ryosuke Kikuchi, corresp. Member• Clinical Laboratory Management (C-CLM):
Satoshi Kimura, corresp. Member•Distance Learning (C-DL):
Kuniaki Saito, corresp. Member•Education in the Use of Biomarkers in Diabetes (C-EUBD):
Asako Sato, corresp. Member
EMD WORKING GROUPS•Harmonisation of Interpretive Comments EQA (WG-ICQA):
Masanori Seimiya, corresp. Member
Communications and Publications Division (CPD) Committees• Internet and e-Learning (C-IeL):
Hideo Sakamoto, Member

109

Task Forces/Special Projects• Task Force on Ethics (TF-E):
Masakazu Miura, corresp. Member• Task Force on Young Scientists(TF-YS):
Ryunosuke Ohkawa, corresp. Member• Task Force on Chronic Kidney Disease (Integrated Project) - (TF-CKD)
Takashi Wada, corresp. Member• Task Force on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Bio-Markers (TF-CB):
Hiroshi Yoshida, corresp. Member• Task Force on Point of Care Testing (TF-POCT):
Naoto Shimetani, corresp. Member•Task Force on Geriatric Laboratory Medicine (TF-GLM):
Shu-Ping Hui, corresp. Member
International Journal Editor
Editorial Board for Annals of Clinical Biochemistry:
Katsuyuki Nakajima
Editorial Board of Clini Chimi Acta:
Nobuo Okumura, Masato Maekawa, Takashi Miida,
MinoruTozuka, Katsuyuki Nakajima, Akihiro Inazu:

Additional information
About 1,460 members including MD and PHD belong to JSCC and 9 blocks were divided as
the each centre of JSCC.
The annual meeting is held once a year and more than 300 papers are discussed in themeeting and the regional meetings were held once a year in each region and interesting
symposiums and special lectures are planned by an annual president of the meeting.
Standing Committees• Publications Committee• International Relations Committee• Education Committee• Liaison board for Scientific Committees• Academic Meetings and Public Relations Committee• Awards Committee• Judicial and Ethical Affairs Committee• Future Directions Committee
Scientific Committees• Committee on Quality Management• Committee on Enzymes and Analytical Reagents• Committee on Laboratory Systems and Instruments• Committee on Point-of-Care Testing• Committee on Diabetes Mellitus Indices• Committee on Plasma Protein Testing• Committee on Nutrition Testing• Committee on Animal Clinical Pathology• Committee on Genetic Testing• Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis Testing• Committee on Lipoprotein Testing• Committee on Common Reference Intervals• Committee on Pitfall Research

110

Education
In all annual meeting of JSCC and regional meetings in Japan, educational lectures on various
clinical chemistry related subjects, such as standardization, analytic methods, and laboratory
related trouble shootings were performed by the specialists of clinical chemists. In addition,clinical chemistry related companies held various types of symposiums and educational
meetings in all over Japan all the year round.
Clinical Chemistry Academy and Educational Lecture for Certified Clinical Chemistry and
Immunochemistry Quality Assurance Medical Technologists and Professions were held in
Kumamoto on Dec 4, 2016

KOREA

KOREAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (KSCC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Annual Meeting of KSCC (I)2016. 5. 12.

Annual Meeting of KSCC (II)2016. 10.14.

Topic
Symposium 1; Quality Improvements
Related to Excellent Laboratory
Accreditations
Symposium 2; Research Highlights
Symposium 3; Industry Workshop (Newtests in the field of Clinical Chemistry)
Symposium 4; Understanding andApplication of Tests ofTumor Markers (II)Symposium 1; Laboratory Information
System (LIS) Related to Excellent Laboratory
Accreditations
Symposium 2; From A to Z for the Tests of
Lipid
Symposium 3; Industry workshop (Newtests in the field of Urinalysis and Urine
Sediment Analysis)
Symposium 4; Current status andConsiderations on the Drug of Abuse Tests

Education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Procedure manuals of clinical chemistry laboratory
Tumor markers
LIS
The basic requirements of accredited laboratory
New tests in clinical chemistry
New tests in urinalysis and urine sediment analysis
The role of the laboratory medicine in nutritional support; emerging considerations
especially in vitamin D

111

Regional relations
In addition to the annual meeting of KSCC, several times of reagional meetings were held.
Tofacilitate the regional communications and to fasten the regional relationship, regularmeetings of the following KSCC were held all over Korea.
-

KSCC Council meetings: 3 times
KSCC Standing committee meetings: 2 times
KSCC Organizing committee meetings: 10 times

International relations
1. KSCC was delegated of logistics of authority from APFCB to facilitate participation in the
APFCB 2016
2. KSCC attended ‘APFCB 2016’ as 6 KSCC members participated as the speakers in the
symposia No. 3, 8, 10, and 21 of APFCB 2016 and more than 30 KSCC members attended
the APFCB 2016 congress in Taiwan
3. Participation in the IFCC Visiting Lecturer Programs (VLP)
Speaker: Prof. Howard Morris
Title 1> Is vitamin D critical for improved health outcomes? When to assess vitamin D
statusTitle 2> Healthcare, laboratory medicine, patient care
4. Working APFCB committee members (2016)- Prof. Yong Hwa Lee for the education and laboratory management committee- Dr. Hwan Sub Lim for the communications committee
5. IFCC Network Laboratory for HbA1c in Korea (2012 - present)
6. Prof. Junghan Song was working as a member of the ‘International Scientific Advisory
Board of IFCC WorldLab Durban 2017’
7. Prof. Hyung-Doo Park was working as a member of the ‘IFCC C-STFT (Standardization of
FT4 and Harmonization of TSH Measurement)’
KSCC became to be admitted to be one of the National and Regional Members of JCTLM

Additional information
President: Prof. Jeong-Ho Kim (Yonsei University College of Medicine)
Secretary General: Prof. Sang-Hoon Song (Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Treasurer: Dr. Hwan Sub Lim (Seoul Clinical Laboratories)
International Committee: Dr. Sung Eun Cho (LabGenomics Clinical Laboratories)

LITHUANIALITHUANIAN SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINENational meetings
Name of the meeting
8th Annual Conference of
the Lithuanian Society ofLaboratory Medicine

112

Date
08-04-2016

Topic
Laboratory Diagnostics –important part of clinicalpractice

National LLMD Conference

10-03-2016

International Conference

18-03-2016

National LLMD Conference

02-06-2016

International Conference

07-06-2016

National LLMD Conference

08-06-2016

International Conference

13-10-2016

Microscopy of urinary
sediment: automatization
perspectives
Microbiota alterations ofdisease and health
Nowadays laboratory
medicine – preanalytical,
safety and technologicalaspects
Actualities in
immunohaematology.
The newest automatic
immunohaematology
platforms
Sensitivity to antimicrobial
agents testing: from patient
to antimicrobial resistancefollow-up
What clinicians should know,
and what laboratories should
perform (dedicated to World
Thrombosis Day)

Education
1. Training course “Understanding and practical application of international standard
EN ISO 15189:2012 Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence(ISO 15189:2012, Corrected version 2014-08-15)”; April 14, 2016 Vilnius, Lithuania (35participants)
2. Training course “Management of documents and records using international standards EN
ISO 15189:2012 and EN 15224:2012”, April 28, 2016 Vilnius, Lithuania (32 participants)
3. Training course “Internal Audits and management of nonconformities according to therequirements of EN ISO 15189 and EN ISO 19011”; October 7-8, 2016 Klaipeda, Lithuania(28 participants)

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

13th Baltic Congress ofLaboratory Medicine

May 12-14, 2016

Co-organizer of the Congress

Regional relations
Lithuanian Society of Laboratory Medicine (LLMD) is member of Baltic Association ofLaboratory Medicine (BALM). Other 2 members of BALM are: Latvian Society of Laboratory
Specialists and Estonian Society of Laboratory Medicine. The main task of the Association –organization of Baltic Congresses of Laboratory Medicine held every second year in one of
the Baltic Countries.

113

International relations
LLMD is the member of IFCC, EFLM and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI);
partner of The Global World Thrombosis Day Movement.

MACEDONIA

MACEDONIAN SOCIETY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRYAND LABORATORY MEDICINE (MSMBLM)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Date
New technology forseparation of plasma sample
for analysis aiming to improve
the quality of the sample, to13.05.2016
increase the efficiency and to
reduce the total around time(TAT) in laboratory

Topic• The latest technologies
for separating the plasma
sample-BD Barricor and
BD Eclipse signal• Biochemicalscreening
for molecular genetic
diseases in newborns

Challenges in biochemical
and molecular diagnosis inrare diseases

16.09.2016• Genetic screening
methods• Introduction to genetic
testing for the Pompedisease, LSD, Alström
syndrome , autism

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS(MACB)
National meetings

114

Name of the meetingDate

26th MACB conference andAGM

17th - 19th July

Topic
Theme “Advancing Laboratory
Medicine for a Healthy Nation”• current topics in the areas ofdiabetes management, pointof care testing, quality, newtechnologies and impact of raceand ethnicity on laboratory tests.
• 5 plenary lectures,• 1 symposium• 5 educational workshops.
• poster and oral presentations.
• Trade exhibition

National Occupational Skills
Standard(NOSS)in Clinical
Biochemistry Level 5

5th – 9th September
19th – 23rd October
8th – 12th November

Develop a curriculum in skills training
for Clinical Biochemists

EducationWorkshops• Risk Management: 22 – 23 February 2016
• Safety and Health in Medical Laboratories: 30 – 31 May 2016
• APFCB-MACB Course: 19-21 September 2016
Seminars• CAP Accreditation and Best Practices in Laboratory Quality Improvement: 10 December
2015.
• Impact of Point of Care Testing (POCT) on Patient Flow: 3 March 2016
• Managing Quality in the Medical Laboratory – Quality Strategic Planning and Digital
Management of QC: 21 April 2016
• Understanding the Science behind Tumour Marker Assay Design and How This Impacts
Patient Sample Handling and Results: 22 April 2016
• Risk Management and IQCP for POCT Management in BGA: 19th May 2016
• Serum Versus Plasma: 4 October 2016
• Diabetes CPG Updates: 26 September 2016

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
APFCB Congress and
APFCB General MeetingDate

26 -29 Nov 2016

APFCB Scientific Committee(C-Csi)28 November 2016

APFCB Task Force on CKD

29 November 2016

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Attended the council meetingon 26 November 2016 in
Taipei as a council member
Bid for the 16th APFCBCongress 2021
Attended the meeting as
a committee member todiscuss the current andfuture projects:• Asian Global Study on
Reference Values• Bulding Clinical Case Bank
for EBLM
Attended meeting to discuss
the planning to establish atask force

Regional relations
Affiliate member of the APFCB
Active particiaption in the following committees• APFCB Scientific Committee - member• APFCB Education Committee -member• APFCB Congresses and Conferences Committee - member
Organised the APFCB-MACB Course in Kuala Lumpur
Participate in the Asian Global Study on Reference Values

115

International relations
Affiliate member of the IFCC
Participated in joint meetings with IFCC Committee on Reference Interval and Decision Limits

MEXICOMEXICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL LABORATORYSCIENCES
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

1st Pont of Care Testing(POCT)

April 12, 2016

2nd. Meeting of Molecular
Biology in Clinical Diagnosis

Octuber 21-22, 2016

Topic
POCT and its Importanceand diagnosis aplication andaccreditation
Molecular diagnosis in the
Laboratory

Education
Diplomate
Clinical Bacteriology (Series of Advanced Courses, a 160 total accent hours)
Courses:Specialized Courses on Quality Control (from IQ, PT and Statistical tools)
Real Time PCR and its application in Clinical Diagnosis. Theory and Practice
Qualiy control for the best analyticalperformance for industry and laboratory professionals
Coagulation, Hematologya and Serology testing.
Parasitology testing.
Quality management system for blood banks laboratories.
Workshops:
Physiology of the hemostasis
Hemophilia and Von Willebrand diseases in the Laboratory.
Lupus anticoagulant, antiphospholipid syndrome and related disorders
Plasma coagulation disorders
Challenges in the hemostasis laboratory. Resolving clinical cases.
Laboratory study of fibrinolysis and thrombophilia.
Quality control in the coagulation laboratory
Conferences:
Post analytical phase of accreditation
Pediatric laboratory medicine
Blood bank policies and regulations based on national standards.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
11o Regional Meetingof Quality Control andAdvances in Nutrigenetic,
Nutrigenomics and
Immunology. UNSL MX
116

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

March 25-27, 2016

Auspices provided to
improve awarness onnutrigenetics, nutrigenomics
and immunology.

Regional Workshop on
laboratory accreditation andtrazability organized by the
Chilean Society of Clinical
Chemistry SChQC, Santiago
de CH
CALILAB Cogress, Buenos
Aires AR

October 14-15, 2016

Assesors on laboratory
accreditation involved in thediscussion and presentationof ISO 15189 requirements

November 30 – December
2nd, 2016

Lecturers on Global Cr
Standardization, POCT
update, and PT programs in
MexicoRegional relations
NORTH AMERCA:
Chair, Latin American Working Group, GlobalLaboratory Quality Initiative of theAmerican
Association for Clinical Chemistry, AACC
COLABIOCLI:Member, Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry Executive Committee,
Member, Scientific Committee COLABIOCLI 2017 Congress,
Participation in the following projects: Pre-Analytical, Creatinine Standardization and Neonatal
Screening e-course.

International relations
CMCLC members are participating at the following activities in IFCC:EB Member 2015-2017
WG-eJIFCC editorial board member, IFCC
WG-eNews member, IFCC
WG-IANT member, IFCC
C-CLM corresponding member, IFCC
C-MB corresponding member, IFCC
C-TLM corresponding member, IFCC

Additional information
Mutual Agreement of Understanding (MOU) with the Mexican Accreditation entity to improve
Laboratory Accreditation awarness.
Blood bank WG and National panel of technical Experts in Clinical Labororyof the Mexican
Accreditation Entity
ISOCT 212 WG1, WG2, WG3, WG4, WG5, Mexican Accreditation Entity AH DOC Committee
Mutual Agreement of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of QFB MX for Clinical
Chemistry Board certification exam.
Clinical Biochemistry Students of the “Universidad Veracruzana” and Members Chapter from
Guerrerostate
Universities Faculty of Chemistries advisory activities for postgraduate studies

117

NETHERLANDSNEDERLANDSE VERENIGING VOOR KLINISCHE CHEMIEEN LABORATORIUMGENEESKUNDE (NVKC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Annual Conference

13-15 April 2016

Topic
Research Projects in the Netherlands:- Anti-Platelet therapy- DNA passport- Cardiac Troponine
Disruptive Medicine:- Reading cancer from platelets- Biomarkers in personalised
healthcare

Education
National continuous education courses:
Pediatric heamatology, 14 January 2016
Metabolic diseases, 3 March 2016
Reflex testing, 8 April 2016
Fertility, 4 October 2016
Co-operation between Laboratory and Pharmacy, 7 December 2016
International course:
EFLM course on test evaluation, 9-11 November 2016

PARAGUAY

ASOCIACIÓN DE BIOQUÍMICOS DEL PARAGUAY (ABP)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date“Virtual Workshop USACHPTB 2016 on critical points
14 October, 2016of ISO 15189” in Santiago deChile.

Topic
Pre-examination processes.
Selection, verification andvalidation.
Uncertainty and traceability.
Biological reference intervals.
QA.
Reference material.
Inter-laboratory comparison.
Post-examination processes

118

Biochemical Update Working
Days. Filial CDE-ABP. Ciudad 4 & 5 November, 2016
del Este.

Diagnostic algorithm in HIV, HIVlegal implication informed consent.
Pre analytical phase in the study ofBlood and Electrolyte gases.
Analytical management in the lab.
Clinical Internal and External
Control.
Advantage of automated systems in
Microbiology ATB´s Clinical impact .
Role of Microbiology in preventionof infections.
Paracoccidioidomicosis &Laboratorial diagnosis of micosis.

Education
The “Continuing Education Program” and Educational activities were focus in Quality
Management, and Legal & Civil Responsibility in the Exercise of the Biochemical Profession
under the support of two Attorneys advisors.We focus also in current topics of Microbiology,
Haematology and Genetics.
The following educational activities were undertaken:
1. February 23, 2016. Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika-relevant data in the laboratory. Epidemiology:
Diseases of Mandatory Notification, Protocols.
2. March 16, 2016 in Asuncion, March 17 in Encarnacion and March 18 in Ciudad del Este.
Use report and interpretation of results.
3. April 4 and 5, 2016. Internal, external control, 3rd. Opinion. Dr. Migliarino (ARG).
4. April 11, 2016. Penal Responsibility in the exercise of the Biochemical Profession.
5. April 18, 19 and 20, 2016. RIQAS- Quality Control. Training for continuous improvement.
H. Domicich
6. May 17, 2016. HIV. Legal Implication. Informed consent. Protocols to follow
7. June 6, 2016. Civil Responsibility in the exercise of the Biochemical Profession.
8. June 29, 2016. Respiratoru virus, Current Diagnostic Methods.
9. August 26, 2016. Anemia normocytic/Hemolytic, Myeloid chronic Leukemia.
10. October 31, 2016. Progress in genetic and specialized studies.
National Speakers:Cynthia Vazquez, Mario Martinez, Victor Llano, Joel Melgarejo, Gladys
Lopez, Loida Duarte, Natalia Duarte, Natasha Díaz Meyer, Pablo Pratts, Fermin Sosa, Idalina
Dalles, Zulma Gonzalez, Patricia Araujo, Jose Pereira.
International Speakers: Rolando Soloaga (ARG), Gabriel Migliarino (ARG), H. Domicihc.(ARG).
I was possible by international speakers from the Industry, Centres and Universities incountries with which the ABP maintains close relations of cooperation and national speakers
from Faculties, Central LCSP, IPS and the PronaSIDA.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Latin American and Argentine
September 26-30, 2016
Congress of Microbiology
2016

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

One Mentor at Educational
Workshop119

X Argentine Congressof Quality in the ClinicalLaboratory (CALILAB)

November 30 and December
1-2, 2016

Many members of the ABP
Director Board assisted
to COLABIOCLIand RIA
Meeting.

Regional relations
We are supporting the next Latin American Congress that will be in Uruguay. We are doing
dissemination of this information and we have one representation for this congress.
We appreciate the support of foundations, scientific societies and companies related to our
profession for the implementation of activities, like the virtual Workshop from PTB, USACH,REUNA, INN, SCHQC, IFCC & COLABIOCLI. The participation at the virtual Workshop was
possible with the fund from the CONACYT, ONA and ABP with the National Moderators:
María Yrene Caballero, Director of Laboratory Accreditation -ONA and Juana Ortellado-Canese, Director Relations Department Representative to IFCC and COLABIOCLI -ABP.
Both moderators are the national representative for PTB.

International relations*Members of ABP in IFCC:
1. Congresses and Conferences Committee (C-CC)- M.Blanes G corresponding Member
since 2013
2. Molecular Diagnostic Committee (C-MD), Scientific Division (SD)- G. Russomando, Member
first and second term
3. International and Learning (C-IEL) Publication and Communication Division (CPD)- M.Blanes
G, corresponding member 2nd term 01/2015 -12/2017*ABP Members integrating Working Groups
1. e-new (WG-e news) CPD. G. Blanes, Member first and 2nd term 01/2015 -12/2017
2. WG IANT E. Guillen Barua. Member first and 2nd term 01/2015-12/2017*ABP members in Task Force- Specially Projects.
1. Glucose Meters How Should be Evaluated in Critical Care (WG GMECC) and Task Force on
Point of Care Testing (POCT-TF). - E. Guillen Barua, Member first term and second.
2. Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT), Scientific Division Current Projects:
Phase IV Method comparison studies for FT4 and TSH on Clinically Relevant samples: FT4
is Intended as technical standardization and harmonization process TSH, FT4 by Which Will
Become Assays traceable to the conventional reference measurement procedure. - M. BlanesG, first term member 01/2015 -12/2017.

Additional information
There was a ceremony in May for the National Day of the Chemist and in December,2016the
National Congress for Biochemistry was launched with a celebration at the Excelsior Hotel.
The Chemistry of Science National Congress will be held in Asuncion from 4 -7 October 2017.

120

POLANDPOLISH SOCIETY FOR LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS (PTDL)National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic
Lyme disease, IBD diagnostics,
POCT

Białystok

13th May 2016

Bydgoszcz

9th-10th June 2016Gdańsk

14th-15th April 2016

Katowice

7th-8th October 2016

Kielce23rd April 2016

Kraków

13th-14th May 2016

Lubuskie

7th-8th April 2016

Opole

17th-18th June 2016

Poznań

27th-28th October 2016

Rzeszów

6th-7th October 2016

Quality control - workshop

Szczecin

2nd-3rd June 2016

Infection – only microbiologicaldiagnostics?

50th Anniversary of the division
Pomeranian-Masovian meetings
with diagnostics.
Developments in laboratory
diagnostics
Swietokrzyskie meetings withdiagnostics
Infectious diseases, newtechnologies
5th Lubuska diagnostic conference
8th conference – Known laboratory
markers in the new view
Motor organs problems – laboratory
aspects

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

4th Joint EFLM-UEMS
Congress

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

21-24 September
2016

Host Society- organization of theCongress- G.Sypniewska, chairof the Organizing Committee,
contribution to the ScientificCommittee- B.Solnica-member of
the Scientific Committee

International relations
G.Sypniewska – member of COC for Euromedlab Athens 2017

121

ROMANIAROMANIAN ASSOCIATION OF LABORATORY MEDICINE(RALM)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Date
1st RALM Conference with May 18-21 2016 Cluj Napoca
international participation

Topic
ClinicalLaboratory( H e m a t o l o g y ,Microbiology,
ClinicalChemistry)

Education
In order to support our young colleagues, two awards are granted every year at the annual
conferences, one for the best poster presentation and one for scientific activity. As theattendance of residents to the annual conferences is strongly encouraged, AMLR has
preferential conference fees for residents and is also offering conference sponsorship for few
residents every year.
The Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine benefited from the C-CMBC, 6 Days
Beginners’ Course in Molecular Diagnostics organized bythe IFCC Education & Management
Division, Committee on Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum (C-CMBC).
The course was held between 05.12-10.12 2016 at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Tirgu Mures. The University was an excellent partner for the National Society, by providing
an excellent location for the course, and by generously supporting the accomodation of the
training team.The course was attended by 17 participants from all over the country, andrepresented a great opportunity of training in molecular biology for our young colleagues.

Regional relations
The Publication Division of RALM collaborates with the Croatian Journal Biochemia Medica

International relations
The Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine is a full member of IFCC and EFLM.
IFCC and EFLM representatives (Dr. Janet Smith, Prof. Eva Ajzner, Prof. Tomas Zima) as well asother invited speakers from abroad - Prof. Laszlo Muszbek (University of Debrecen, Hungary),
Prof. William Au (Shantou University Medical College,China) attended our conference andgave lectures and workshops which wereappreciated by the participants.

Additional information•

122

1st RALM Conference abstracts were published in a supplement of the Romanian Journalof Laboratory Medicine (RJLabM).

RUSSIARUSSIAN SCIENTIFICALLY-PRACTICAL SOCIETY OF
SPECIALISTS IN LABORATORY MEDICINE (RSPSSLM)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Second Gathering ofSpecialists of Laboratory
Service, Kaliningrad

Date
June 28 – July 2

Second Russian Congressof Laboratory Medicine,
Moscow

October 12 - 14

All-Russian scientificpractical conference“Laboratory diagnosis clinical medicine: traditions
and innovations”, dedicatedto the 115th anniversary ofacademician G.E. Vladimirov

December 6 - 7

Topic
The scientific program of thefirst day of the Meeting experts
considered problematic issues oflaboratory services in the regions,special attention was paid to thecentralization of laboratory researchand laboratory providing medical carein remote areas. In particular, it waspresented the experience of Moscow,
Yaroslavl Region, the Omsk region,
the Rostov region, Krasnodar region,
the Murmansk region, Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous District, Khanty-Mansiysk.
The organization, economics andlegal aspects of laboratory services.
Fundamental questions of Clinical andLaboratory Medicine. Etiology, early
diagnosis and laboratory monitoringof infectious diseases. The latest andadvanced technologies in the field oflaboratory diagnostics. Round tables
with the participation of public healthleaders and representatives of thefirms on the centralization of laboratory
testing and procurement of equipment
and reagents
Clinical laboratory diagnostics.
Innovations, modern trends.The
development of information technology
in clinical laboratory diagnostics.
Biochemistry of extreme conditions
and adaptation. Medical-genetic
and pharmacogenetic researchmethods. Promising high-techlaboratory methods. Promising areasof biomedical research. Program,standards, modern technology
advanced training of specialists in thefield of laboratory medicine.

123Second Gathering ofSpecialists of Laboratory
Service, Kaliningrad

June 28 – July 2

The scientific program of thefirst day of the Meeting experts
considered problematic issues oflaboratory services in the regions,special attention was paid to thecentralization of laboratory researchand laboratory providing medical carein remote areas. In particular, it waspresented the experience of Moscow,
Yaroslavl Region, the Omsk region,
the Rostov region, Krasnodar region,
the Murmansk region, Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous District, Khanty-Mansiysk.

Education
The Second Russian Congress of Laboratory Medicine was included in programme ofContinuing Medical Education and provided of educational credits in the field: “ClinicalLaboratory” and “Bacteriology”. Congress participants were awarded 18 credits on one ofthese areas.
Additionally almost all regional meetings was included in programme of Continuing Medical
Education and provided of educational credits in the field: “Clinical Laboratory” and“Bacteriology”.
A.M. Ivanov is Member of Flow Cytometry Working Group (WG-FC) that will promote andencourage applications of flow cytometry in diagnostics and clinical research throughpublication of educational material and the organisation of courses and symposia.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
36th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Voronezh37th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Tver
38th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Perm
39th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Arkhangelsk
40th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Omsk

124

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

February 26

Full organization of the meeting

March 4

Full organization of the meeting

March 18

Full organization of the meeting

March 31

Full organization of the meeting

April 15

Full organization of the meeting41st Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Chita
42nd Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Orenburg
43rd Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Kemerovo
44th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Ufa
45th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Murmansk
46th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Tyumen47th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
Stavropol
48th Head Specialist’s School on
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic,
RyazanApril 28

Full organization of the meeting

June 24

Full organization of the meeting

September 16

Full organization of the meeting

October 7

Full organization of the meeting

November 3

Full organization of the meeting

November 25

Full organization of the meeting

December 2

Full organization of the meeting

December 16

Full organization of the meeting

Regional relations
Association of laboratory specialists and organizations “Federation of laboratory medicine”(FLM) created the 9 regional offices in the Russian regions, including St. Petersburg andthe Leningrad region, Krasnoyarsk, Perm Region, the Chechen Republic, the Irkutsk region,
Yaroslavl region, the Trans-Baikal Territory, North Ossetia, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous
Area in 2016 year.

International relations
Speakers from Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Italy, and Germany made presentations at theSecond Congress of Laboratory Medicine.
Russia was visited by the President of IFCC Maurizio Ferrari. Prof. Ferrari visited SaintPetersburg and Moscow with his presentation for Russian specialists of laboratory medicine.
In December 2016 Association of laboratory specialists and organizations “Federation oflaboratory medicine” (FLM) applied for membership of International federation of biomedicallaboratory science, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Laboratory scientists, medicallaboratory (IFBLS).
FLM planned educational section “Laboratory Service in Reforming Stage” in frame of
the 22nd IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine“EuroMedLab Athens 2017”.

Additional information125

In 2016 all committees of the Association of laboratory specialists and organizations “Federationof laboratory medicine” (Occupational Safety and Health Committee, Immunohematology
Committee, Professional Development Committee, Pre-Analitical Phase Committee, Analyticaland Forensic Toxicology Committee, Standardization and Quality Assurance of ClinicalLaboratory Tests Committee, Chromatographic Methods Committee, Personnel Committee,
Clinical Cytology Committee, Hemostaseology Committee, Committee of Contracting Activity
in the Field of Laboratory Services, Microbiology Committee, Immunology and Allergology
Committee, Committee on Development and Implementation of Innovative and HighMicrobiological Practice, Public-Private Partnership Committee, Committee of the Medical
Industry and the Manufacture Localization, Committee on Cellular Technologies, Committee
on Molecular Biological and Genetic Research, Committee of Standardization of Laboratory
Tests forAutoimmune Diseases) have made annual reports on their areas of laboratory
medicine.

SAUDI ARABIASAUDI ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
National meetings
Name of the meeting
2nd Annual confrence for thesocietyDate
21-23 November 2016,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,

Topic
Lectures and workshops(attached)

Education
The organizing committee of the SSCC had different meetings during 2016:
1. Saudi Conference for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Riyadh, 20-21 April
2. AACC, Philadelphia Aug 31 – 3 September
3. Saudi Lab Expo Riyadh, 21-23 November

Regional relations
Thelocal “preanalytical working group” with partnership of BD company was met regularly
which include 15 members from different regions of Saudi Arabia. One of the outcome ofthese meeting is the draft for the preanlytical guide for local hospitals which will be approved
and released in mid of 2017

Additional information
The society participated in the 2nd Saudi Lab Expo 21-23 November 2016, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia with booth and stand.

126

SERBIA

SOCIETY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTS OF SERBIA (DMBS)
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

XX Congres of medical
biochemistry and laboratory
medicine with international
participations

May 25-27, 2016, Belgrade

12th EFLM Symposium forBalkan Region

May 25-26, 2016,Belgrade

Topic
New biomarkers in laboratory
medicine; Contemporary
methodological approaches
in laboratory medicine;
Oxidative stress and diseaseof modern man; Molecularbiomarkers of diagnosis
and monitoring therapeutic
response in immune diseases(www.dmbj.org.rs)
Symposium is organised
together with EFLM under
IFCC Auspices under thetitle: Harmonization of total
process: Influence of theextra-laboratory phase (www.
dmbj.org.rs)

Education
Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia in 2016 organized four CME educational seminars
for the members on the following topics:
1. Quality Indicators: pre-preanalytical and pre-analytical phases of laboratory diagnostic
investigation
2. Laboratory Management
3. Novelties in Laboratory Medicine
4. QMdevelopmentand application in accredited laboratory
5. Laboratory safety

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
24rd Meeting of Balkan
Clinical Laboratory
Federation

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meetingTirana, October 7-9,
2016

Members of the Society
participated with threeinvitedlectures and many posters(www.bclf.info)

Regional relations
Cooperation with all Societies from Balkan region, members of Balkan Clinical Laboratory
Federation (BCLF) (see www.bclf.info)

International relations
Cooperation with other Societies members of IFCC and EFLM
Participations in Meetings organised by IFCC and EFLM

127

Additional information
The Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia published internationalJOURNAL OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY, the Official Journal of the Society, in which many scientists from region
published own papers (www.dmbj.org.rs/jmb;
www.degruyter.com/view/j/jomb)

SLOVENIASLOVENIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY(SZKK)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Symposium
Slovenian Associationfor
Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine
Symposium
Slovenian Associationfor
Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine
Symposium
Slovenian Associationfor
Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine
Symposium
Slovenian Associationfor
Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine
5th Slovenian Congressof Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine with
International Participation.

8th Scientific Symposium
dedicated to Prof. Niko
Jesenovec.

128

Date

Topic

Ljubljana, 10th March 2016

Laboratory hematology

Maribor, 2nd June 2016

The influence of drugs andinterventions on laboratory
tests

Maribor, 5th November 2016

Basics of biostatistics inlaboratory biomedicine

Ljubljana, 8th December
2016

Lymphoma

September 30 - October 1,
2016

September 30 - October 1,
2016

Personalized laboratory
medicine,
Laboratory diagnostics ofautoimmune rheumatic
diseases, andLaboratory diagnostics of
cardiovascular diseases.
Implementation of newparadigms and technologies
of laboratory medicine in thehealthcare environment of the
21st century

5th Slovenian Congress of
the Laboratory Medicine
Technicians

September 30 - October 1,
2016

Microscopic examinations inlaboratory medicine
Examples of good laboratory
practices

Education
1. May 2016; Continuous Education Courses for the Medical Laboratory Technicians withfour (4) different topics.
• Biological materials for laboratory examination• The effectiveness of erythropoiesis• Determining reference intervals• Lymphoma
2. 18th November 2016; Workshop: Peripheral Blood: Differential Leukocyte count/ Peripheral
Differential White Blood Cell Morphology; For Specialist in Laboratory Medicine

SLOVAK REPUBLICSLOVAK SOCIETY OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY (SSKB)National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

XIIth Congress SSKB

29-31.5.2016

Topic
Biochemical assays inhepatology, hematology andurology
General topics

Education
2 issues of “Laboratórna diagnostika” (Vol XXI)Blažíček P: Vyšetrenie moču (Urine analysis) Study material for postgradual education.
Published in “Laboratórna medicína pre ambulantnú prax Nakladateľstvo Dr. Josef Raabe
Slovensko, s.r.o., Bratislava, ZD 06/2016, F1.1,; 30 pp
Balla J: POCT – Laboratórna diagnostika na mieste zdravotnej starostlivosti (POCT). Publishedin „Laboratórna medicína pre ambulantnú prax“. Nakladateľstvo Dr. Josef Raabe Slovensko,
s.r.o., Bratislava, ZD 06/2016, F1.1, pp45 pp

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Symposium of Laboratory
Medicine

29-30.11.2016, Trenčín

Athero-prevent

5.12.2016, Košice

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Organized by Roche under
the auspices of SSKB
Organized by the
Atherosclerosis Section of
SSKB

129

New aspects of urinary
sediment assay

19.9.2016, Košice

Regional workshop organizedby Gtrade and SSKBInternational relations
Agreement of cooperation with then Hungarian Society of Laboratory Diagnostics (MLDT)
Prof. Rácz, President, member of editorial board of eJIFCC
Prof. Rácz, President, attendance at the General Conference, Madrid

SPAIN

SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DE BIOQUÍMICA CLÍNICA YPATOLOGÍA MOLECUALR (SEQCML)National meetings

130

Name of the meeting

Date

Web Seminar

March 30th

Course, Madrid

April 7th

Course, Madrid

April 19th

Web Seminar

May 5thXIV Meeting of ScientificCommittees, Madrid

May 12-13th

Course, Barcelona

June 13th

Course, Barcelona

June 16th

Topic
Rapid identification (1h) ofacute coronary syndromeswith high sensitivity Troponin
T: The TRAPID-AMI study
and its substudies
Innovation in the Pre-analytic
Phase and accreditation
experiences
Circulating DNA technology
and its application in clinicalpractice
Mass Sequencing (NGS) in
the clinical setting- Advances in the diagnosis
andmonitoring of thyroid
dysfunction- POINT-OF-CARE Testing
Network
Experience- Advances in Monoclonal
Gammapathies- Oligozoospermia,
Azoospermia andAneyaculation- Genetic tests in assisted
reproduction
Circulating DNA: Present andfuture as a genomic marker
Emergency laboratory update

Web Seminar

June 30th

X National Congress ofClinical Laboratory

October19-21th

Web Seminar

December 1th

Heart failure organizationalmodels: Assist devices,
clinical pathways and healthcare continuity

National consensus for therational use of natriuretic
peptides

Education
Annual Educational Programme 2015-2016:
XIX General Educational Programme 2015-2016 ……………………. 723 participants
I Clinical Cases General Educational Programme 2015-2016 ……… 440 participants
II Clinical Cases in Haematology Programme2015-2016 ………….. 274 participants
III Genetics Educational Programme 2015-2016 …………………….. 375 participants
Relevance of Trace Elements in human health 2015-2016 ………… 223 participants

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

EQALM Simposium 2016:
The Road to Perfect EQA

DateSociety’s contribution for the meeting

October 13-14th

SEQCML together with the
Spanish Society of Hematology
and Hemotherapy (SEHH) haveparticipated in the organization ofthis Simposium 2016 that annuallyholds the European Organization forExternal Quality Assurance Providers
in Laboratory Medicine (EQALM).

Regional relations
SEQCML has relationships with:
the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
the Federation of European Societies on Trace Elements and Minerals (FESTEM)- the Ibero-American Working Group WG IAN through “Radio Microscopio”

International relations
SEQC has relationships with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (IFCC).

131

Additional information
SEQC organizes the following EQAS programs:-Extranalytical processes: Preanalytical andIndicators- Biochemistry: General biochemistry tests in serum andurine, Hormones, TDM, Proteins,
Blood gas, POCT, Cardiac markers, Tumour markers, Trace elements, Autoimmunity,
Monoclonal components and Drug abuse.
- Microbiology and Serology
Nowadays there are 700 centers participating in these programs with a total of 5000
inscriptions.
SEQC maintains the Spanish version of Lab Tests Online with more than 348 tests and aglossary with more than 498 contents.
Avedis Donabedian SEQC Award. This award recognizes the Best Spanish Scientific Societyof Quality Excellence 2016

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY (SAACB)
Regional relations
SAACB is a member of the African Federation of Clinical Chemistry and a daughter society of
the Federation of South African Societies of Pathology (FSASP).

International relations
SAACB is a member of the IFCC

Additional information
At the end of 2016, elections were held for the position of President and Treasurer. With
effect from 2017, Prof Tahir Pillay was elected President and Dr Fierdoz Omar was elected as
Treasurer.The last educational meeting was held by the SAACB in 2014.Annual activities areusually held in conjunction with the FSASP but since there were no annual meetings held in2015 and 2016, there were no SAACB activities or meetings arranged.

132

SWITZERLANDSWISS SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (SSCC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting Date

Molecular Diagnostics

March 3–4, 2016

Swiss MedLab 2016

June 14–16, 2016

Topic
CRISP/CAS System in Gene Therapy,
Personalized Medicine for Cystic Fibrosis,
Differential Diagnosis of Epilepsies,
Genetics in Coagulation Disorders, PCSK7
as a Host Risk Factor of Liver Cirrhosis in
Hereditary Haemochromatosis, Update on
the Management and Treatment of Hepatitis
C Virus Infection, Human and Viral Genetic
Factors Influencing HIV Infection and Therapy,
Revision of the Law on Human Genetic
Testing, Swiss Guidelines for Next Generation
Sequencing (NGS), Personalized Genomics in
Molecular Diagnostics, Nanopore Sequencing,Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance.
Gesundheitspolitische Tagung der SULM:
Nutzen der Labormedizin, Labordiagnostik– wichtige regulatorische Aspekte, Big
Data im Gesundheitswesen: Hoffnung
und Herausforderung, Der informierte
Patient, Hormon-Biomarker zur Outcome
Verbesserung, Nutzen von Biobanken für
die moderne Labordiagnostik, Anwendung
von POCT in der Mikrobiologie, Laboratory
Medicine and Endocrine Systems, Symbionts,
Epigenetics, Vermessung des Ich und die
Rolle der Labordiagnostik in der Zukunft,
The Impact of Diagnostic Tests in Sepsis,
Update externe Qualitätskontrolle, Update
Rechtsmedizin, Labormedizin in der Pflege,
Update IHE Schweiz/Suisse, Braucht eseinen POCT-Koordinator im Spital?, Big
Data in Genomik und Krebsbehandlung,
Labormedizin und Hämostase, Curriculum
BMA & FAMH – Wohin geht die Reise?,Hometesting / Patienten-Selbstmanagement,
Patientensicherheit und POCT, Companion
Diagnostics, Immunhämatologie,
Humangenetik, Morphologie-Workshop:
Lymphozytenmorphologie, Labormedizin
und Kardiologie, Flowzytometrie, Laboratory
Medicine and Malignant Hematology, Microbehost Interaction, Microbe Evolution, Host
Responses to Microbes, Clinical Virology,
Systems Microbiology, Antibiotics andantibiotic resistance, Education and Outreachon Microbiology
133

Education
Annual education program: 10 one or two day courses in general laboratory management andin some specific topics.

Regional relations
Collaborative working groups for diagnostic pathways and for pre-analytics with the Deutsche
Vereinte Gesellschaft für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin e.V. (DGKL) and theAustrian Society of Laboratory Medicine and Clinical Chemistry (ÖGLMKC).

International relations
Member of the IFCC Task Force on Paediatric Laboratory Medicine (TF-PLM).

SRI LANKAASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY, SRI
LANKA
National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

ACBSL committee meeting

20/04/2016

Topic
Committee meeting todiscuss the progressand
future activities of theassociation.

Education
1. Lectures were conducted by ACBSL members Dr I D Siriwardhene and Prof S Wijeratne fortheTraining on Medical Laboratory Accreditation based on ISO 15189:2012 conducted by
Sri Lanka Accreditation Board during 26th-27th January, 2017.
2. Special lectures have been conducted by Dr BKPT Dayanath and Dr Manjula on preanalytical errors for Medical Laboratory Technologists in CKD affected areas.
3. Special lecture series has been conducted by Dr BKPT Dayanath and Dr Manjula for recently
commenced Degree programme in Medical Laboratory Science in Jaffna University.
4. Mr H Weerawarna is continuing as a visiting academic in this year, too for the course
unit in Laboratory Technics for Open University Degree programme in Medical Laboratory
Science.
5. Mr Sarath Kamburapolage is continuing as a visiting academics to University of
Jayawardenepura, Kotalawala Defence Academy and Open University of Sri Lanka. He
has prepared lesson materials on Immuno histochemistry for the Open University.
6. Dr Deepani Siriwardene and Prof Sumedha Wijeratne contributed as resource person for
the Training on Accreditation of Medical Laboratories based on ISO 15189:2012 conductedby Sri Lanka Accreditation Board.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting
Asia-Pacific Federation
for Clinical Biochemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
Congress, Taiwan

134

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

Nov 2016

Dr B K P T Dayanath represented themeeting and presented two posters
as a co auther.

International relations
Mr Lakminda Thilakarathne has participated in IFCC General Conference in Spain as therepresentative of ACBSL

Additional information
Mr Lakminda Thilakarathna has been working as a corresponding member and Providing
analysed TSH and FT4 data to the standardization of thyroid function tests (C-STFT) program
which is working under the scientific division of IFCC.
Some of our members are functioning as Assessors for Sri Lanka Accreditation Board in ISO
15189 medical laboratory accreditation.
Mr H Weerawarna continues as the coordinator of Asqualab, France External Quality Control
Programme for 130 private and state sector laboratories in Sri Lanka.

TAIPEI - REPUBLIC OF CHINA (ROC)

CHINESE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
National meetings
Name of the meeting2016 The 31st Joint Annual
Conference of Biomedical
Science

Date

Topic

26-27 March2016, Taipei,
TaiwanThe Utility of Big Data inLaboratory Medicine

Education2016 The 31st Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical Science
Keynote: Big Data meets biomedicine:opportunities and challenges by Dr. Jen-Hsiang
Chuang, Deputy Director-General, Center for Disease Control, Taiwan
Symposium: The Utility of Big Data in Laboratory Medicine
1. Metabolomics-based approaches in diabetes and diabetic complications by Ming-Shi
Shiao
2. Data mining as a tool of research for acute myeloid leukemia by Wen-Chien Chou
3. A novel business intellegence model for monitoring nosocomial infection by Chuan-Po
Lee
With 100 members attend the annual meeting.
On 13 Aug 2016 CACB had a Workshop of R-statistic language in data management andapplication in laboratory medicine
1. R-language, variable and Data Types
2. Matrices, Dataframes and Lists
3. How to transfer excel file into R-statistic for calculation and plottingWith 20 members attended workshop.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

14th APFCB Congress 201626-29 November 2016,
TAIPEI, Taiwan.

CACB hosted the congress

135

International relations
CACB hosted 14th APFCB Congress

14th APFCB Congress, Taipei,
Taiwan, 26-29 November 2016
by Woei-horng Fang,
Congress Organization Committee Chair

Attendees: Congress Participants: 768 from 52 countries.
a. Satellite meeting in Chinese (26-27 November, Taiwan Society of Laboratory Medicine
Annual Conference): 2620
b. Exhibition: 200+ exhibitors
Programme:
 3 pre-Congress Workshop and one Author workshop (Elsevier):
Workshop 1: R-statistical Programming Language for Clinical Laboratory
Workshop 2: WASPaLM-APFCB Accreditation
Workshop 3: Hands-on Course to Learn Skills Essential for Analyzing Reference Values Roche-APFCB Value of Diagnostics Panel Discussion:
Unlocking the Value of Diagnostics - Perspectives from Across the Healthcare Chain
 1 Key note: Laboratory Medicine and the NHI-MediCloud 4 Plenary lectures:“A New Era of Lung Cancer Therapy: From Precision to Cure?”; “The Future of Molecular
Biology in the Diagnostic Laboratories”; “Getting the Right Answer-The Importance ofTraceability”; “Clinical Applications of Mass Spectrometry”
 29 Symposia (92 titles)
 Free papers: 22 oral presentations; 184 posters
 7 Industry Workshops and 10 Industry Lunch Symposia Satellite Meeting in Chinese (TSLM Annual Conference):
2 symposia (12 titles); 6 Industry Workshops; 7 Award Speeches; 8 Oral Presentations;
304 Poster Presentations
 Awards and Scholarships:
APFCB - Siemens Young Scientist Award Competition 4:
1st prize: Swarup AV Shah; 2nd prize: Rojeet Shrestha
Travel grants: Hanah Kim, Chailendra Dwivedi
APFCB Travel Award 10:
Menglan Zhou, Dwi Astuti Handayani, Sudhasini Panda, Louisa Enestina, Apilak
Worachartcheewan, Wei-Ling Lin, Kang-Yi Su, Elizabeth Santoso, Prasenjit Mitra,
Lopamudra Ray.
APFCB Congress 2016 Student Travel Award:
International 10: Tong Liu, Chranjit Ghosh, Hayato Ikoma, Asmita Sapkota,
Haipeng Xian, Manickam Paulpandi, Akira Yoshimoto, Xiumei Jiang, Eri Ohta,
Rina Nakamura
Domestic 4: Shao-Jui Lai, Hui-Yu Ho, Wei-Yi Chen, Hsin-Ying Lin
IFCC-Roche Scholarships 4:
Purvi Purhoit, Anak Agung Wiradewi Lestari, Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Sibtain
Ahmed
NACCCA – Beckmen-Coulter Travel Grant 5:
Xuejiao Hu, Guoju Luo, Weili Duan, Yue Ru Tian, Yufei Wang
136

 Trade and exhibition:
120 booths, 45 companies and 6 associations namely CACB, APFCB Congress 2019, IFCC,
AACC, and WASPaLM.

To attract Congress participants visiting exhibitions, Prof Fang invited
his mother, a famous brush painting artist, to paint hundreds of fans
as souvenir for exhibition point collection activity on 28-29 November
2016.

 Social events:- Opening ceremony on 26 November 2016: the congress was opened with a Folk DrumShow followed with welcome address by APFCB President, Dr. Leslie C Lai; CACB
President, Prof. Woei-Horng Fang; IFCC President, Prof. Maurizio Ferrari; and DirectorGeneral, Taiwan National Health Insurance Administration, Dr. Po-Chang Lee. The
reception was at TICC immediately after the key note speech and first plenary lecture.
- Cultural night at Grand Hyatt on 28 November with the theme of Taiwan aboriginal
cultural dance, and group Karaoke Initiated by Dr. Woei-horng Fang followed by many
country groups.

Presidents opening of Culture Night(IFCC, APFCB, and CACB presidents)- Closing by Dr. Leslie Lai, President of APFCB and hand-over ceremony to the next host(India) on 29 November 2016.
Event Organizer: CACB as the host and contracted with Enjoy
Professional Conference Organizer Corp. for the consulting andoperations.

Executive and council members of APFCB at 14th
APFCB Congress on 26th November 2016, Taipei

IFCC Executive Board Meeting, 24-25 November,
Pacific Business Center Hotel, Taipei

137

APFCB Congress 2016 Organizing Committee also arranged the venue and meeting facilities
for IFCC Executive Board Meeting, IFCC Scientific Division Meeting, APFCB Council Meeting,and all the APFCB Standing Committee Meetings.

Congress Organizing Committee
member group photo after closing ceremony.

TUNISIASOCIÉTÉ TUNISIENNE DE BIOLOGIE CLINIQUE (STBC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Journées Nationales de Biologie Clinique
National Meeting of Clinical Biology (JNBC)
EducationDate
11-03-2016
12-04-2016
15-04-2016
16-04-2016
29-04-2016
15-06-2016
23-09-2016
07-10-2016
14-10-2016
20-10-2016
11-11-2016
01-12-2016
09-12-2016

Place
Tunis
Gabès
Tunis
NabeulKairouan
Tunis
Gafsa
Tunis
Tunis
Tabarka
Tunis
Tunis
Tunis

Date

Topic

Mai 13th-14th & 15th 2016

Theme
Microbiological Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Infections
Transfusion safety
Biology of pregnancies at risk
Surveillance of anticoagulant therapy: Cases presentation
Leishmaniasis
Platelets, leukocytes and inflammation
Monitoring of anticoagulant therapy: Cases presentation
Tumor markers
Biological diagnosis of intestinal protozoa
Interpretation and validation of immuno-hematologicals tests
Diagnostic of Urinary Tract Infections
World AIDS Day
Biological diagnosis of thrombocytopenia

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

3rd Molecular Biology Arabic
Course “PCR - RFLP”

Mai 10th & 11th, 2016

Arab federation of Clinical Biology”AFCB”

Regional relations
Arab Federation of Clinical Biology ( AFCB )138

TURKEY

TURKISH BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY (TBS)National meetings
Name of the meeting
In vitro diagnostic
symposium
Thalasemia symposium

Date
February 18-20,
2016, Izmir
April 7-9, 2016,
Kahramanmaraş

Symposium on ”BoneMetabolism:Clinical andLaboratory”

May 9, 2016,
AnkaraSymposium on“Preanalytical Phase “May 19-20, 2016,
Adana

Quality Controls In
Clinical Laboratories:
Problems And Solutions

June 2, 2016,
AnkaraTopic

Hemoglobin Disorders- Vitamin D In All Aspects: Molecular
Effects And Measurement Methods In
Laboratory
Mustafa Serteser,- Laboratory Approach on Metabolic
Bone Disease
Aylin Sepici Dinçel- Siemens Advia Centaur System andBone Markers
Murat Tosun,- Source of errors in immunochemical
analysisTaner Özgürtaş
- Clinical Aproach To The Metabolic
Bone Disease
Mustafa Altay- ISO 15189QC Requirements: The BioRad Solutions
Jean-Baptiste Raimbourg- A different aproach to internal QC:
Efficacy, Limitations, Effect on Results
Muhittin A. Serdar- Bio-Rad QC Data Management:
Consolidated Solution
Mohamad Abdel-Karim- The internal QC Applications in Ankara
2. District LaboratoriesÇiğdem Sönmez

139

140

Symposium on “Tumor
Markers And ClinicalUses”

September 2016,
AnkaraBiochemistry Days-Sivas

November 3-6, 2016,
Sivas

Urine Analysis
Symposium

December 7, 2016,
AnkaraTBD-IVD Diagnostic
Evening Dinner

December, 2016,İstanbul- Clinical Use Of Tumor MarkersÖmer Dizdar- Tumor markerss: Biochemical
approach
Erdinç Devrim- Approach To Epithelial Over Cancer
Diagnosis
Agim Beshiri,- Approaches to Atrophic Gastritis andHelicobacter Infection
Jaganathan Sickan- The Importance of Pepsinogen I and II
in Gastric Cancer Screening
Necati Örmeci- Diagnostic Efficiency of HE4 in Genital
System Tumors and Lung Cancer- Z. Günnur Dikmen,

The History of Urine Analysis-D. Yücel,Urine Sediment Analysis and Microscopy-A. Kösem
Preanalytical Phase of Urine Analysis-C. Topcuoğlu
Autumation of Urine Analysis-D. Kayaalp
Needs of Quality and Quality Assesment-M. Serdar
Urine Protein: Analysis and ClinicalInterpretation-F. Uçar
Special Tests for Urine Samples-M. Öktem
Toxic Chemical Analysis of Urine Samples-H. Kayadibi

Education
1. Phlebotomy guide prepared by TBD ”Preanalytical Stage Working Group” was introduced
within scope of ”Patient and Health Worker Security Platform”. 30 November 2016, Ankara
2. A Guideline on ”Chronic Kidney Disease” prepared by TBD ”Chronic Kidney Disease
Working Group” published on EFLM Web page. November, 2016
3. A “Consensus Report” for the patient glucose meters used in hospitals based on patient safety
prepared by TBD “Patient Glucose Measurement Working Group” was started to be distributed.
May, 2016

4. Course on “Biological Variation, May 19, 2016, Adan.
5. Phlebotomy Course, May 19th, 2016, Adana
6. Electrophoresis Course, April 7th, 2016, Kahramanmaraş
7. Biostatistical Analysis with R, November 1-2nd,2016, Sivas
8. Primary and Secondary Hemostasis Tests and Clinical Significiance, November 2nd, 2016,
Sivas
9. Molecular Diagnostics Course, November 2nd, 2016, Sivas

International relations
1. TBS participates in studies of working groups and task forces of IFCC and EFLM committees.
2. TBS represents other scientific or professional bodies in Turkey such as EFLM, BCLF,IUBMB, FEBS, and WASPaLM.

UK

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY &LABORATORY MEDICINE (ACB)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Frontiers in Laboratory
Medicine (FiLM) in
Birmingham

Date

FOCUS in Warwick

18 – 21 April 201626-27 January 2016

Topic
Leading edge innovationsin the delivery of laboratory
medicine services
Scientific and Clinicalpresentations on leading
topics by international
experts

Education
In addition to the above, training courses for trainees and a training day prior to the FOCUS
meeting

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

All nine regions hold scientificand clinical meetings at least
Multipletwice a year on a wide variety
of topics

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

All organised by the ACB

141

Regional relations
While the ACB represents the UK, the country is divided into four administrations and the ACB
is engaged with the devolved governments. There is also national collaboration with otherlaboratory organisations on a variety of political issues.

International relations
The ACB has engagement in a variety of positions. As an organisation we have formal relations
with other Laboratory Medicine associations, particularly in the area of publication of ourjournal and discounted rates for our publications to them and theirs to us. We also havereciprocal arrangements for presenting prestigious lectures at our National Meetings.

URUGUAY

ASOCIACIÓN BIOQUíMICA URUGUAY (ABU)
National meetings
Name of the meeting“Mass spectrophotometry inClinical Chemistry.”“Quality Management andGood Laboratory Practices.”

Date

Topic

8, 9 and 22 of April,

Clinical Methods

AnnualQuality Management

Toxoplasmosis

July 22 and 23

Parasitology

Education. “Mass spectrophotometry in Clinical Chemistry.” Course taught by Dr. Alejandra Rodríguez.
8, 9 and 22 of April, Polo Tecnológico de Pando. Organizes Faculty of Chemistry of Universityof the Republic (UDELAR) Uruguay“Quality Management and Good Laboratory Practices.” Annual Online Course given byteachers Dr. Juan Pablo Grammático and Dr. Laureano Cuevas (Argentine). Organized by
COLABIOCLI“Toxoplasmosis”. Course taught by the Professors Dr. Hortensia Magaro, Dr. Alicia Frade.
(Argentina) Organized by the Wiener Foundation July 22 and 23, 2016,“Advanced Practices of Analytical Quality”. Course-workshop given by Dr. Gabriel Migliarino.
(Argentina) Organized by the Coulter Foundation. Hotel Radisson Victoria. Montevideo.
Uruguay.

142

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting“Point of Care Testing. (POCT). “
1. “New Technologies: Patient Care
Testing (POCT) Conference Dr. Rosa
Isabl Sierra-Amor. MéxicoCALILAB BUE2016.
Hotel Sheraton Buenos Aires
Organized by Fundación
Bioquímica Argentina (FBA)
Symposium collaborationof Uruguayan Biochemical
Association (ABU)

November 30 to
December 2, 2016.

Current Status of Patient Care Tests(POCT) in Different Countries (Part II)
Coordinate: Dra. Nilda Fink
(Argentina) and Dr. Stella Raymondo(Uruguay).
I)”POCT and Haemostasis”.
1) Experience in Uruguay. Dra. Ana
Lena (Uruguay)2) Experience in Argentina. Dr.
Cristina Duboscq (British
Hospital)(Argentina).
II)”Regulatory Aspects of POCTin Uruguay” .. Dr. Carlos Lacava(Uruguay).
III)”Diagnosis of POCT situation in
Uruguay” Dra. Stella Raymondo(Uruguay).

Regional relations“PTB-USACH Regional Workshop on Interpretation of the critical requirements of ISO15189(2012)”. Videoconference in Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized by the Chilean
Society of Clinical Chemistry in the Livestream modality, with the presential participation of
Dr. Rosa I. Sierra Amor (IFCC) and Dr. Stella Raymondo (COLABIOCLI)ABU has participated through QF BC Ana Piana leading a group of Uruguayan colleagues who
have participated from aVideo conference room in the Uruguayan Organism. of Accreditation.
(OUA)Montevideo. UruguayInternational relations
To have acceded to the Presidency of the Colabiocli, has increased notoriously the International
relationships of Uruguay.

143

Additional information
FEBRUARY 2016
1. Designation of BC Luciana Oliviere to write an article for the Journal of the Biochemical
Residents Committee of Argentina (COREBIO) representing the young people of the Career ofClinical Biochemistry in Uruguay.
2. The Uruguayan Biochemical Association (ABU) presents its condolences to Argentine
colleagues and disseminates among its members the news of the death of two dear andprestigious Argentine colleagues who have contributed so much to the progress of theknowledge of Quality and Accreditation in our country , Dr. Daniel Mazziotta and Dr. Norberto
Cabutti.
3. Negotiations of the ABU with the Medical Union of Uruguay (SMU) in relation to the Salary
Council.
4. Review of ABU agreements with other institutions or companies that provide services totheir partners.
MARCH 2016
1. Closing the call for applicants for ABU Training Scholarships. The Scholarship Commission
is formed and the merits of the applicants are studied.
APRIL 2016
According to the report of the ABU Scholarship Evaluation Committee on April 26, 2016, thefollowing training grants are awarded in the following order of priority:
I. BC Jimena Blanco. Parasitology Area- Strongiloides Stercoralis-Malbrán Institute, Buenos
Aires. Argentina).
Ii. BC Fabiana Luzardo. Clinical Microbiology Area (Online course organized by Argentine
Biochemical Association).
Iii. BC Micaela Cipriani. Area Endocrinology and Metabolism (Online course dictated by theArgentine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism).
JUNE 2016.
Electoral Act. (June 7)New Board of Directors June 14• President: BC Fabiana Luzardo• Vice President: QF Fernando Antúnez• Secretary: BC María Eugenia Morell• Pro-Secretary: BC Mariana Testuri• Treasurer: BC. Natalia Love
• Pro-Treasurer: QF. BC. Laura Yametti• Secretary of Records and National Representative to the IFCC: Dr. QF BC Stella Raymondo
Vowels:• Dra.QF BC Cristina Servetto• QF BC Beatriz Varela• Dr. QF BC Ana Lena
• BC Jimena Blanco

144

PROJECTED TASKS
1. Elaboration of a bank of National Professional Experts on various topics of interest to ABU
and its partners.
2. Professional Certification
3. To continue with the project “Strengthening and re-dimensioning of the Clinical Biochemical
Professional in the Uruguayan Society of the XXI Century” Accompanying the work ofequalization and salary improvements of the profession.
4. Promote access to specialized Bibliography by the partners.
5. Promote the linkage of partners with national and international research areas.
6. Increase services to partners. Ex. Legal Advice, Travel Agencies, etc.
AUGUST 2016
• Selection of the Corresponding Members for the Working Groups of the IFCC.
OCTOBER 2016
Initiation of contacts with the Uruguayan Technological Laboratory (LATU Sistemas) LSQA tobegin advancing the Professional Certification Project
NOVEMBER 2016
Report from QF BC Ana Piana on “PTB-USACH Regional Workshop on Interpretation of
the critical requirements of ISO15189 (2012)”. Videoconference in Latin America and the
Caribbean. Organized by the Chilean Society of Clinical Chemistry in the Livestream modality.
Montevideo
DECEMBER 2016
• On December 21, Professor Daniel Ottado of the Chair of Organizational Communication of
the Faculty of Social Sciences is contacted to initiate the project “Strengthening and resizingof the Clinical Biochemist in the Uruguayan Society of the 21st Century”

USA

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY(AACC)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Leading the Way to Positive Outcomes:
The Role of POCT in Patient-Centered
Care – Virtual Meeting
DACC Conference-Biomarkers in Drug
Induced Vascular Injury: Clinical and preClinical Advancements – Ridgefield, CT
The Laboratory’s Role in Drug Monitoringfor Pain Management – Virtual Meeting2016 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting &Clinical Lab Expo – Philadelphia, PA
Transforming Molecular TestingThrough Automation: New Insights andPossibilities - Philadelphia, PA
Point-of-Care Forum: Talking the Talk:
Overcoming the Barriers of Productive
Communication - Philadelphia, PA

Date

Topic

4/28/2016

Point of care testing topics

5/6/2016

Biomarkers for vascular injury

7/31/2016 –
8/4/2016

TDM and toxiology lab testingfor pain management drugs
Multiple topics in laboratory
medicine

8/2/2016

Molecular diagnostics

8/4/2016

Point of care testing
communications

6/15/2016

145

The Benefits and Challenges of Pointof-Care Testing Across the Clinical
Spectrum – Copenhagen, Denmark
Mass Spectrometry and Separation
Sciences for Laboratory Medicine –Chicago, IL

9/21/2016 –9/24/2016

Point of care testing topics

10/5/2016 10/6/2016

Mass spectrometry
technology/methodology

Education
Online Education
1/1/2016 – 12/31/2016:o Basic Principles and Architecture of Laboratory Information Systems Certificate Programo Clinical Laboratory Leadership and Management Certificate Programo Laboratory Operational Management Certificate Programo Patient Safety Essentials for Laboratory Professionals Certificate Programo Practical Approaches to Quality Control in the Clinical Laboratory Certificate Programo Regulatory Affairs for Laboratory Compliance Certificate Programo Statistical Methods for Clinical Laboratorians Certificate Programo Fundamentals of Molecular Pathology Certificate Programo Point-of-Care Specialist Certificate Programo Improving Outcomes Through Point of Care Testing Certificate Programo Principles of Clinical Toxicology Certificate Programo Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications of Flow Cytometry Certificate Program
o Intro. Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry for the Clinical Laboratory Certificate
Programo LC-MS/MS Troubleshooting for the Clinical Laboratory Certificate Program
ONLINE WEBINARS
1/6/2016
New Year’s Resolutions to Help Lab Leaders Improve Quality
2/29/2016
Stratification for Pre-eclampsia: Lessons Learned from Translation of a Metabolomics
Discovery to a Robust LC-MS/MS Test (CSW #6)
3/2/2016
Cultivating a Culture of Quality in the Laboratory
4/21/2016
Addressing challenges in the laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile
4/27/2016
Software Tools to Facilitate the Processing of Mass Spectrometry Data: Overcoming
Bottlenecks to Productivity in the Clinical Laboratory
5/4/2016
Accountable Care and the Laboratory Value Proposition
5/5/2016
Biomarkers of CKD– How ACR, GFR and Cystatin C Work Together in Disease Screening,
Diagnosis, and Monitoring146

5/13/2016
The Puzzling Case of a Patient with a Low Free T4 Concentration
5/11/2016
Utilizing Rapid Molecular Diagnostics to Improve Patient Treatment and Antibiotic
Stewardship
6/24/2016
A Diabetic Patient with No HbA1c
7/6/2016
Integrating Clinical Decision Support and Patient Engagement in Value-Based Lab Services
7/12/2016
Why IVD Product Development Needs to Become Agile
7/14/2015
PSA Testing: To Screen or Not to Screen?
7/20/2016
What the New PAMA Rule Means for Your Laboratory
8/3/2016
Behind the Scenes at the AACC/LabLeaders.com Population Health and ACO Roundtable
9/7/2016
A Healthy Outlook
9/22/2016
Intelligent Design of the Mass Spectrometry Universe: The Right Tools for the Right Jobs
10/7/2016
What is the Relevance of Hemolysis in the Development of Renal Failure
11/2/2016
Unveiling the Future of Laboratory Medicine: A Series of High-Impact Talks from Lab
Leaders on the Leading Edge
11/10/2016
POCT HbA1c for diabetes dx
11/18/2016
A Prolonged Partial Thromboplastin Test in a Patient Who Was Not Bleeding
11/30/2016
The Changing Laboratory Fee Schedule…What You Need to Know
12/1/2016
Mastering the 3 P’s of Body Fluid Testing: Philosophy, Practicality, and Proficiency
12/8/2016
Towards Standardization in Protein Quantification Workflows

147Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Date

Global Lab Quality Initiative
Workshop: Verifying Assay
3/10/2016 -3/11/2016
Performance: Steps To Follow
To Verify Manufacturer’s
Claims - Havana, Cuba
Global Lab Quality Initiative
Workshop: Laboratory
9/21/2016-9/22/2016
Medicine from Education to
Practice: West Meets East Chongqing, China
Best of AACC Brazil – Rio deJaneiroPartnered with Sociedad
Cubana de Patología Clínica
Partnered with Chinese
Society of Laboratory
Medicine and the Chinese
Association for ClinicalLaboratory Management
In conjunction withSociedade Brasiliera de
Patologia Clínica/Medicina
Laboratorial (SBPC/ML)

9/28/2016

Global Lab Quality Initiative
Workshop: Verifying Assay
Performance: Steps To Follow 10/4/2016 – 10/5/2016
To Verify Manufacturer’s
Claims – Cordoba, Argentina

Partnered with Colegio de
Bioquímicos de Córdoba

Best of AACC China(Shanghai, China)

In conjunction with
Chinese Medical Education
Association

10/21/2016 – 10/22/2016

Best of AACC Southeast Asia
12/3/2016(Shenzhen, China)

Not applicable for this event

Regional relations
Member of the North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

International relations
AACC maintains memoranda of understanding with several national societies for the purposesof mutually beneficial education exchanges.

VIETNAMVIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS(VACB)
National meetings

148

Name of the meetingDate

11th National Congress of
the VACB and 21st Scientific
Conference of the VACB

26-27/8/2016

Topic
Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular
Biology, Oncology, QA&QC,
Immunology, Diabetes,
Endocrinology, Pediatrics

Education
1/ APFCB-VACB-Roche Workshop on LEAN: 4-7/4/2016 in Hanoi; 11-14/4/2016 in HoChiMinhCity
2/ Workshop on “ Improvement of quality of POCT ” of VACB-Roche, 8/5/2016 in HoChiMinhCity
3/ 8th Vietnam Chemical Pathology Course: Improvement of effectiveness and quality of thelaboratories, 7/7/2016 in Hanoi; 9/7/2016 in HoChiMinh-City
4/ Workshop on “Improvement of quality of laboratory” of VACB-Siemens Health Care,
15/9/2016 in Hanoi,

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

14th APFCB Congress in
Taipei,Taiwan

26-29/11/2016

Scientific presentation

Regional relations
Frequent relations with some Associations
Singapore,Thailand,Malaysia.Korea.

in

the

region,suchas:Australia,

International relations
Good relations with IFCC. The VACB has contributed to the IFCC eNews, presented 1
candidate to the IFCC Executive Scientific Division for the new term, 3 corresponding membersof the Committees of the Scientific Division and 1 corresponding member of 1 Committeeof the Communications and Publications Division. The informations of the IFCC have beenfrequently informed to the VACB members.1 VACB young member received the IFCC grant
for the Scientific Exchange Programme in Korea in 3 months.

ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS(ZACB)
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Date
Zimbabwe Medical Association th
5 March 2016
(ZiMA)
16-17th June
14th ZACB Annual Workshop
2016
ZINQAP Annual Scientific24-25th /11/2016
Conference
Zimbabwe Medical Research
24/10/2016
Day
Health Professions Conference

27/11/2016

Topic
ZIKA Virus
Organised and made paper
presentation
Organised & presented papers
Organised and adjudication
Annual presentations and discussion of
all health professions

149

Intergrating Maternal, Mental,
Infant Reproductive andNutrition Health in EB P4
Medicine

10/12/2016

Organised and made paper
presentation

Education
Established AFCC Africa Internet Radio and broadcasts. Ms S Namasasu, Mr A Makura, E
Chipodyaand H T M Matarira were interviewed.ZACBis mentoring through AfricaLabMed
Internet Radio broadcast with YSs co-ordinating and interviewing throughout Africa andworldwide.
ZACB members have participated in providing lectures on Primary Liver Cancer, HIV
Encephalopathy, Drug Resistances in Malaria and Maternal, Infant, Reproductive andNutritional Health, Zika virus on national, regional and international websites and regional andrural communities. Research results have been widely published in international Journals.
National workshops, seminars and symposia were held actively throughout the year.
Successfully supervised 13 MSc postgraduate researches. 7 Young Scientists who qualified
with MSc in Chemical Pathology have embarked on Doctorate studies. 6 DPhil students arenearing completion. A postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory training was developed
to convert holders of BSc Biochemistry qualification and advanced state certified Medical
Laboratory certificate holders. 3 members in MLCSC education Committee.IFCC PEP
Scholarship was granted to ZACB YS Raylton Chikwati to visit Witwatersrand University inSouth Africa.Two other Young Scientists are processing their applications at present for South
Africa and Germany.

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

SACORE Annual Scientific17-18th March 2016

Conference paper

IFCC General Conference

19-22nd March 2016

Participated in discussions

Epidemiologic Transition

7-8th July 2016

Presented papers

ASLM

3-9/12/16

Participated in discussions

16/6/16

Facilitated Chairing

To be held

Planning and Advisory

ACPharm Australia
Symposium
IFCC WORLDLab Durban
October 2017

Regional relations
IFCC PEP Scholarship was granted to ZACB YS Rayltol Chikwati to visit Witwatersrand
University in South Africa.

International relations
Held a symposium on 10th December 2016 on Integrating Maternal Mental Infant and Nutrition
Health in P4 Medicine.
Collaborating with COLIBIOCLI’s IFCC supported EI Microscopio to schedule and conduct
Internet Radio Broadcasting.

150

Mentoring through AfricaLabMed Internet Radio broadcast with YSs, co-ordinating andinterviewing throughout Africa and worldwide.Radio content in place.Finances being mobilised
in IFCC and FEN
Broadcasted together with AACB our strong S-S Partner Pre International Conference ofPaediatrics from 20th-22nd October 2016.

Additional information
ZACB NATIONAL JOURNAL CLUB
3/03/2016
Iron intake, body iron stores and the risk of type 2 diabetes, a systematic review and metaanalysis. Vitamin D content in human breast milk: a 9-months follow-up study.
7/04/2016
Apo genotyping in Egyptian diabetic nephropathy patients.
Identification of sequence polymorphism in the D-Loop region of mitochondrial DNA as a risk
factor for hepatocellular carcinoma with distinct etiology.
5/05/2016
Host iron redistribution as a risk factor for incident tuberculosis in HIV infection: an 11 year
retrospective cohort study.
12/05/2016
KIM-1 as an early marker of proximal tubular damage.
Soluble CD163. A novel marker of activated macrophages, is elevated and associated with
non-calcified coronary plaque in HIV infected patients
26/05/2016
Thyroid function in HIV patients treated with HAART, a longitudinal study
16/06/2016
Extended use of Prostate Health Index and percentage of [-2]pro-prostate-specific antigen in
Chinese men with prostate specific antigen 10–20 ng/mL and normal digital rectal examination
23/06/2016
Discordance of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol with alternative LDL-Related
measures and future coronary events.
07/07/16
Very low levels of 25-hydroyxitamin D are not associated with immunologic changes or clinicaloutcome in South African patients with HIV associated cryptococci meningitis.
11/08/2016
Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis in Zimbabwe
22/09/2016
Association between the TCFTL2 rs 12255372 (G/T) gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes
mellitus in a Cameroonian population: a pilot study151

Affiliate Member Societies

INDIA

ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTS OF INDIA (AMBI)
National meetings
Name of the meeting Date

16th November 2016
24th Annual Conference- Workshops
AMBICON, held at
17th to 19th
Guwahati, Assam
Conference

152

Topic
Theme: ”Upcoming Youth Brigade”
6 workshops
1. DNA Isolation & amplification
2. Molecular diagnosis in cancer
3. Ensuring laboratory excellence – Lean
sigma way
4. Pre-analytical best practices
5. Indirect Immunoflurescence
Goal standard approach towards
autoimmunity
6. Team based learning among biochemists– an essential need of the hour
6 orations
Post graduate and Undergraduate Quiz
Plenery lectures
Symposia – 3

Symposia

Southern Zone TF-YS
AMBI

July 2016,
Hyderabad
Chaired by TFYS Chairman
Dr.Pradeep Dabla

Hands on workshops: 2 sessions each
(1)
Plagiarism – Free writing; Dos AND Don’t
Plagiarism – Free writing; Dos AND Don’t(2)• Mathematical Computations in in Medical
Biochemistry – Part I• Mathematical Computations in Medical
Biochemistry – Part IIPlenary lectures• Knowledge criteria in a Clinical Laboratory• Diagnostics of Iron Metabolism• Method Validation• Laboratory Service – as in A small town
• Quality Assurance & Medical Laboratories• Micro documentation requirements to geta clinical laboratory accredited• Immunoassays: the Good, Bad and the
Ugly• Lipids and Lipoproteins – Advanced
testing• New Diagnostic Tests Evaluation
Publications - Some Guidelines• Understanding IQC AND EQA• Laboratory approach to Paraproteinemia• A Biochemist Perceptive of ABG and Ph• Use of Tumour markers in the Clinic

Education
1. Conducted CME for young scientists – where laboratory mathematics, plagiarism andimmunoassays where highlighted
2. State and annual meets had “hands on training” in certain technologies with more focus
on molecular biology protocols and procedures.
3. Workshops (1) 3 days workshop conducted at CARE Hospital, Hyderabad in Haemostasis
sponsored by STAGO (and local dealer). (2) 4 days workshop sponsored by NNHF(NovoNordisk Haemophilia Foundation)-IL, WERFEN Haemophilia Workshop under theleadership of Dr.Shanthi Naidu K of CARE Hospital
4. Third year medical students who have completed biochemistry appear for a zonal quiz andthe winner from each zone attends the annual conference as an invitee. This programme
has been conducted over the past three years with a wish that medical doctors would
want to take up the speciality of clinical chemistry as a profession.

153

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

State Chapter – Mumbai,
Maharastra

27th & 28th February

State Chapter – Kolkata,West Bengal

23rd & 24th February

State Chapter – Hyderabad,
Telangana

4th JuneState Chapter – Vijayawada,
Andhra Pradesh

10th September

State Chapter – Orissa

9th January

State Chapter – Bengaluru,
Karnataka

22nd to 24th September

Coagulation – Stago
workshop

3 days

NNHF-IL, WERFEN(Novo Nordisk Haemophilia
Foundation)Haemophilia
Workshop

4 daysSociety’s contribution forthe meeting
Post graduate students
and young consultants
needs specilised in clinicalchemistry topics wereaddressed,
Post graduate students
and young consultants
needs specilised in clinicalchemistry topics wereaddressed,
Preventive cardiology andadvanced lipid testing
Familiarity with stem cell
medicine and conductof research in medial
biochemistry and medical
genetics
Medical genetics & Molecularbiology
Quality Management &Diabetic monitoring
Hands on training on basic
screening for coagulation
tests.
Hands on training on basic
screening for coagulation
tests. Advanced training
Factor assays and Inhibitors

Regional relations
State chapters conducting annual meets have a mixture of both senior faculty and juniorfaculty learning from one another and training post graduate students as a whole.
Members of different states are invited in their field of specialty to deliver talks and conduct
workshops.
Discussions on academics and taking the association forward is done and sent to the executive
body of the association for further improvements when and if necessary.
The state chapters are strengthened by the presence of an executive member of the association(AMBI) to keep a strong link among all states and the association.
Various programmes are conducted at the teaching institutions and private hospitals onlaboratory medicine, quality systems. This is an ongoing process.

154

International relations
AMBI is an affiliate member of both IFCC and APFCB.
Regularly members attend international conferences and their exposure enriches not only theindividuals who attended but the entire association as a whole, as on their return they spreadthis experience.
At the annual conference this year, we had Dr.Udayan Ray from Tasmania, Australia delivering
two plenary talks.
Many members have been included as corresponding members in the various committees
when the invite has been put forward by IFCC.
Corresponding member IFCC –EMD division - Dr.Rachita Nanda – 2016
C-CLM - Dr.Jasbinder Kaur – 2016
TF-CKD - Dr.Shanthi Naidu K (has also requested to be a member of TF-CKD of APFCB)TF-YS – Dr.Shanmuga Priya
APFCB – Education committee – Dr.Jasbinder Kaur
APFCB C-CC committee – Dr.Animesh Bardoli
We thank IFCC for giving us these opportunities.

Additional information
The association is celebrating its silver jubilee year this year. The conference is being held at
Mysuru in November 2017.
We would like to celebrate the same under the auspices of IFCC and will be sending theapplication shortly for permission.
We would also like to bring to the notice that though we have nominated corresponding
members the communication to them has been very limited or not at all as in previous years
to one or two members. I request that these corresponding members be kept in the loop of
activities which would enable enrichment of the association as a whole.

155

PHILIPPINES
Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in ClinicalLaboratories (PCQACL)National meetings
Name of the meeting
PCQACL 13th Annual
Convention

Date
September 28 - 30, 2016

Topic
Investing in Quality, Caring
for the Future

Education
The PCQACL Committee on Continuing Education, Training & Research has conducted thefollowing Seminar – Workshops:
1. Seminar-Workshop on National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) in Clinical
Chemistry and Hematology
Date:21 – 22March 2016Venue:Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel, Waterfront Road, Subic
Freeport
2. Seminar-Workshop on Basic Method Validation in Healthcare Laboratories
Date:15 April 2016Venue: Crowne Plaza Galleria, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City
3. Seminar-Workshop on National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) in Clinical
Chemistry and Hematology
Date:25 - 26 April2016 Venue:Cebu Parklane Hotel, Cebu City
4. Seminar-Workshop on National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) in Clinical
Chemistry and Hematology
Date:17 - 18 August2016 Venue:Tagaytay One Place Hotel, Tagaytay City
5. Pre-Convention Seminar- Workshop on Laboratory Informatics and Antibiotic Stewardship
ProgramDate:27 September 2016 Venue:Crowne Plaza Galleria, Ortigas Avenue, Qiezon City

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

IFCC General Conference

March 18, 2016 in Madrid,
Spain

Attendance in business meeting.

15th ANCLS Congress

APFCB Council meeting

156

Dr. Januario D. Veloso gave
a lecture on the topic ”
April 21-23, 2016 in Seoul
Complete Blood CountNEQAS
Olympic Parktel, Seoul, Korea
Implementation for ClinicalLaboratories in the Phils.”
November 26, 2016 held at
Attendance in business
Rm. 401 - Taipei International meeting:assistance in COMELEC
Convention Center(election)

Prof. Elizabeth Y. Arcellana –Nuqui gave a lecture on the topic” High SensitiveTroponin (hs Tnl)
Assay among Filipino Adults”.
14th APFCB Congress

November 26-29, 2016
at Taipei International
Convention Center

Dr. Anacleta P. Valdez attended
the meeting of the IFCC (C– RIDL) as a Corresponding
Member representing
the Philippine Council for
Quality Assurance in ClinicalLaboratories (PCQACL).

Regional relations
Member of Asian Network for Clinical Laboratory Standardization and Harmonization (ANCLS)
Member of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
Member of International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC)
Member of Asian - PacificFederation of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine(APFCB)

International relations
IFCC Affiliation Membership
Digital PTInternational EQA Collaboration MembershipAppointment of Dr. Elizabeth Y. Arcellana - Nuqui as a Member of the IFCC Task Force on
Ethics (TF-E) for 3 - year period (April 2014 to December 31, 2016).
Member of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) giving the PCQACL the authority
to be the distributor of their books and other documents in the Philippines, procuring of suchin bulk and distributing them to facilitate their adoption and implementation by the clinicallaboratories.
PCQACL, as a member organization of CLSI, may nominate qualified persons as members,
advisors and reviewers for CLSI Standards development committees.
CLSI will be invited by PCQACL to provide a Speaker(s) at plenary sessions and other scientificsessions hosted by PCQACL.
IFCC-Visiting Lecturer Program will be invited to provide Speakers at plenary lectures, seminarworkshops and other scientific sessions to be hosted by PCQACL.

157

Additional information
PCQACL joined Asian-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine(APFCB)in 2016.
Prof. Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui gave a lecture on High Sensitive Troponin High Sensitive
Troponin ( hs Tnl ) Assay among Adult Filipino Adults”in the14th APFCB Congress last November
2016 held in Taipei.
Dr. Annie P. Valdez, PCQACL Vice President, has been designated as a Corresponding
Member of IFCC Committee on Reference Intervals (C-RIDL).
Dr. Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui had her liaison meetings with Dr. Maurice Ferrari, Dr. Catharine
Margaret Sturgeon, and Prof. Trefor Norman Higgins in Madrid to be PCQACL convention
plenary speakers in 2016 – 2017.
PCQACL has been privileged to have the following IFCC – Visiting Lecturer Program (IFCCVLP)plenarySpeakers on the following topics in its 13th Annual Convention held last September
28 -30, 2016:
Prof. Trefor Norman Higgins
TopicDatea. What to do when the QC is Good but the Results are Wrong -September28, 2016b. Ethics in Laboratory Medicine-September30,2016
Dr. Catharine Margaret Sturgeon
Topic Datea. Standardization of Immunoassay & Proficiency Testing-September 29, 2016b. Issues on QA of Diagnostic Tests -September 29, 2016
c. QA in Tumor Markers -September 30,2016

UKRAINE

Association of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine of
Ukraine - ACCLMU
National meetings
Name of the meeting
Annual Scientific Conference“Prospects for the
diagnosis and treatment ofhematological diseases”

Date
Kyiv,
April 14-15, 2016

Scientific & Practical
Conference with International
Participation «Building of
dialogue between clinicians
and specialists in clinicalKyiv,laboratory diagnostics,
April 19-20, 2016
modern methods forlaboratory diagnostics of
diseases presenting publichealth hazard»

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Topic
The Conference was devoted tomodern approaches to the diagnosis
and treatment of hematologicaldiseases
The Conference was devoted toactual problems of laboratory handlingespecially dangerous infections
including HIV and TB.
PEPFAR experience in preparation of
medical labs to accreditation and the
WHO End TB Strategy were presented
as well.
In addition, within the Conference
framework, ACCLMU Extraordinary
General Meeting was held.

Scientific & Practical
Conference with International Kyiv,
Participation «DSTU EN ISO October 19-20,
15189:2015 – Roadmap to2016
Quality of Laboratory tests»

The Conference was devoted
to presentation of experience of
implementation of the requirements of
DSTU EN ISO 15189:2015 “Medicallaboratories. Requirements for quality
and competence” both in Ukraine andabroad, particularly in Germany and
Poland. The National Representativeof the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) shared experienceof provision of help in preparation of
medical laboratories for accreditationin countries with limited resources.
Special attention was given to themetrological aspects, including
measurement accuracy and precision.
Attention was also paid to the use ofaudits to improve laboratories activities
and to contradictions between therequirements of existing legislation andof international standards.
In addition, within the Conference
framework, ACCLMU Extraordinary
General Meeting was held.
In general, the objective of thisConference is to highlight the main
points to look at when implementing
medical laboratory tests quality
assurance system and to suggest the
optimal sequence of steges during
implementation of requirements of
DSTU EN ISO 15189:2015 as a way of
improving medical laboratories practice.

Education
ACCLMU Coordinator of young professionals Kheylomska T.O. made a working meetingwith interns on the professional development of young professionals, using the experienceof the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the
ACCLMU (Kyiv, 17 May 2016).

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Scientific & practicalconference dedicated to thediagnosis of melanoma, togenomic diagnostics, andto issues of resistance toantibiotics

Lviv, April 13, 2016

Organization of the meeting

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Memorial Evening devoted
to the 90th anniversary of
the prominent specialist in
the field of clinical laboratory
diagnostics, Prof., D.Sc., MD
K. A. Zakhariya.

Lviv, September 23, 2016

Organization of the meeting

Regional relations
Merging of the ACCLMU with the USCLD.

International relations
Participation in the General Conference of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (Madrid, 18-23 March 2016).
A meeting with the Associate Director of the Euro-Asia region, Head of the International
department of laboratories for AIDS of the Institute for Global Health, Problems of AIDS andtuberculosis, D.Sc., MD Favorov M.O. concerning the ACCLMU cooperation with the US
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was held (Kyiv, 29 September 2016).

Additional information
ACCLMU performs functions of the Secretariat of the Technical Committee for Standardization
166 “Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems” (TC166) which is mirroring
the ISO/TC 212.
Together with TC166, ACCLMU members participate the implementation of the international
standards into the Ukrainian regulatory framework.

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