International Federationof Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
Advancing excellence inlaboratory medicine forbetter healthcare worldwide

www.ifcc.org

AnnualReport 2022

Highlights of the Year

EuroMedLab Congress – Munich (DE) April 10th-14, 2022
24th IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
https://cms.ifcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Munich-2022_Final-Programme-Web.pdf
WorldLab Congress – Seoul (KR) June 26th – 30th, 2022
24th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
In conjunction with the 16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry (APFCB Congress)
https://cms.ifcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scientific-programme_Final.pdf
IFCC General Conference – Brussels (BE) October 28th-31st, 2022
https://ifcc.org/ifcc-congresses-and-conferences/ifcc-general-conference-brussels-belgium/
IFCC 70th Anniversary Celebrations:• IFCC Milestones 2022: golden Achievements:
https://cms.ifcc.org/media/479832/ifcc_milestones_2022.pdf• Video on the IFCC membership:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCyGnfnpGPs• Art Competition: https://ifcc.org/about/ifcc-celebrates-70-years/art-competition/• Greetings Videos:https://ifcc.org/about/ifcc-celebrates-70-years/ifcc-celebrates-70-years-greetings/• 70th Anniversary Magazine:
https://anmys.com/magazines/DIAGNOSTICO_IN_VITRO/2022-70th/
Global Lab Week celebrations – April 2022 - https://globalmedlabweek.org/• IFCC live webinars – 2022 Series(60 modules):- Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL), Troponin for the Brain: Measurement and Applicationsin Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions (click here to attend)- Impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutations on COVID-19 diagnostics- Laboratory & Analytical Aspects of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays- COVID -19 and Laboratory Medicine Role in Georgia- High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays – Clinical Applications- Analytical and Clinical Aspects of Natriuretic Peptides- A Global Perspective on Health Inequities in Laboratory Medicine- Data-driven Operations and Machine Learning Applications in Clinical Laboratories- Reliable biological variation estimates - where to find them and how can they safely
be applied?
- Experts’ insights and experiences for clinical laboratory investigators: building
translational research programs- D-dimers and its different clinical applications / Dímero D y sus diferentes aplicaciones
clínicas- Traceability of measurements, quality and laboratory accreditation. Three topics2

of interest for clinical laboratory professionals in Ibero-America / Trazabilidad de medidas,
calidad y acreditación del laboratorio clínico. Tres temas de interés para los profesionalesdel laboratorio clínico en Ibero- America- Importance of the Preanalytical Phase in different areas of the Laboratory / Importancia
de la Fase Preanalítica en diferentes áreas del Laboratorio- Challenges in laboratory diagnosis of endocrine diseases- Aspects of Newborn Screening- From Data to Decisions: Data and Analytics Leadership in Clinical Laboratory
Management;- Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics: clinical application- Personalized oncology: present and future- The role of key laboratory tests in the investigation and management of metabolic bonedisease- Challenges in implementing Pharmacogenetics in routine Clinical Practice• New Working Groups formed:- Neonatal Bilirubin (WG-NB) cooperation between Scientific Division (SD) and Emerging
Technologies Division (ETD)- Natriuretic Peptides (WG-NP)- Method Evaluation Protocols (WG-MEP)
New name for the Committee on Internet and Distance Learning (C-IDL), now Committee on
Internet and Digital Communications (C-IDC) to reflect the new focus of the Functional Unit
• IFCC-AACC Pearls, translation in Spanish
https://eacademy.ifcc.org/topics/c%C3%A1psulas-de-la-medicina-de-laboratorio-pearls/• e-Academy, open educational resources (http://eacademy.ifcc.org/)• Adaptive Learning Program, open educational resources(https://ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/adaptive-learning-program/)• IFCC Flow cytometry courses- 2022 - FC Course in Leipzig (DE)https://cms.ifcc.org/media/479313/programm-ifcc-kurs-2022-f.pdf- 2022 – FC Course in Bucharest (RO)https://cms.ifcc.org/media/479511/summer-school-civis-bucharest-july-2022.pdf• IFCC C-CMBC courses- 2022 – 2nd Advanced Course in Molecular Diagnostics in Adana (TR)
http://moldiagnosticscourse2022.com/- 2022 – 11th Beginners Course in Molecular Diagnostics in Niğde (TR)
http://moldiagnosticscourse2022.com/• IFCC Expert Database - http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/experts/• IFCC Milestones 2022 - https://cms.ifcc.org/media/479832/ifcc_milestones_2022.pdf• IFCC Professional Scientific Programmes (PEP)
https://ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/pep-professional-exchange-programme/• IFCC VLP programme supported by Abbott(http://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-education-division/emd-special-projects/)
Implement cooperation and agreements with IFCC Regional Federations and International
Organizations• Roche / IFCC Scholarships granted for EuroMedLab and WorldLab Congresses

3• Young Scientists Forum – first edition held in Seoul at the WorldLab Congress
https://ifcc.org/ifcc-news/archive/2022/ifcc-forum-for-young-scientists-25-26-june-2022-2/• IFCC Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)
1st Year EQA Pilot Program - involving 5 labs in 10 selected countries to participate in the
1-year pilot phase• IFCC FEN - Foundation for Emerging Nations (http://www.ifccfoundation.org/)• IFCC 2020 Distinguished Awards conferred in 2022:
IFCC Distinguished Clinical Chemist Award, sponsored by Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd.
Prof. Nader RIFAI (United States)
IFCC Henry Wishinsky Award for Distinguished International Services,
sponsored by Siemens
Dr Ghassan SHANNAN (Syria)
IFCC Award for Distinguished Contributions in Education, sponsored by Abbott Diagnostics
Dr Thomas ANNESLEY (United States)
IFCC Award for Significant Contributions in Molecular Diagnostics,
sponsored by Abbott Molecular
Dr Andrea FERREIRA-GONZALEZ (United States)
IFCC Distinguished Award for Laboratory Medicine and Patient Care,sponsored by Sekisui Diagnostics
Dr David B. SACKS (United States)
IFCC-Robert Schaffer Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Developmentof Standards for Use in Laboratory Medicine, co-sponsored by NIST and CLSI.
Dr Gary L. MYERS (United States),
IFCC Distinguished Award for Contributions to Cardiovascular Diagnostics,
sponsored by HyTest
Dr Fred S. APPLE (United States)
IFCC-Gérard Siest Young Scientist Award for Distinguished Contributions
in Pharmacogenetics, sponsored by Biologie Prospective
Dr Jean Baptiste WOILLARD (France)
IFCC Distinguished Women Scientist Award For Contribution To In Vitro Diagnostics,
sponsored by Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd.
Dr Sandra QUIJANO (Colombia)
IFCC Young Investigator Award, sponsored by IFCC
Dr Livia S. EBERLIN (United States)

4

5

Index

Message from IFCC President______________________________________________________ 7
Executive Board___________________________________________________________________ 9
Treasurer Report_________________________________________________________________ 10
Corporate Members______________________________________________________________ 15
Committee on Congresses and Conferences (C-CC)________________________________ 17
Scientific Division (SD)____________________________________________________________ 21
Education and Management Division (EMD)________________________________________ 68
Communications and Publications Division (CPD)__________________________________ 100
Emerging Technologies Division (ETD)____________________________________________ 117
Task Forces_____________________________________________________________________ 139
FEN - Foundation for Emerging Nations ___________________________________________ 168
Regional Federations____________________________________________________________ 169• AFCB - Arab Federation of Clinical Biology______________________________________ 169• AFCC - African Federation of Clinical Chemistry_________________________________ 175• APFCB - Asia-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry andLaboratory Medicine and Laboratory Medicine___________________________________ 179• COLABIOCLI - Latin-American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry______________ 192• EFLM – European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine________ 195• NAFCC - North American Federation Of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine ___ 204
Full Member Societies___________________________________________________________ 206
Affiliate Member Societies _______________________________________________________ 287
6

Message from the President of IFCC
IFCC was incredibly active in 2022 working productively towards “advancing
excellence in laboratory medicine for better healthcare worldwide”. We
held two major conferences in Europe (EuroMedLab in Munich) and Asia
(WorldLab) as well as a very successful IFCC General Conference in Brussels.
The WorldLab and EuroMedLab Congresses were postponed from 2020
and 2021 respectively due to the COVID-19 pandemic and despite all of thechallenges faced by the organizing committees, they both turned out highly
successful and brought people together from the world in safe and enjoyablesettings. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the hosting
national societies in Germany and Korea, the Conference Organizing Committees, the Scientific
Programme Committees, and MZ Events. Their relentless efforts and exceptional collaboration
played a pivotal role in surpassing our initial expectations and ensuring the resounding successof these events, despite the challenging circumstances posed by the pandemic. Their hard
work is truly commendable.
IFCC General Conference 2022 & 70th Anniversary Celebrations: A major highlight of2022 was the IFCC General Conference in Brussels on October 28-31, 2022. In recognition of
IFCC’s 70th anniversary, we gathered to celebrate seven decades of contributions to scientificand educational advances in the field of laboratory medicine, and the meeting was a great
success! The conference was held at the Radisson Collection Hotel in Brussels, which set theperfect backdrop for a collaborative event. Representatives from every corner of the globe
were in attendance, including IFCC Officers, Members of Committees and Taskforces, aswell as Presidents of National Societies and Regional Federations. For those who could notattend in person, we implemented the IFCC Virtual Platform for the first time to broadcast
the entire conference. On the first day of the General Conference (Friday, October 28th). IFCC
Functional Groups conducted productive meetings, assessing progress, and planning for the
future of various Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups. All IFCC divisions as well as
most IFCC committees and taskforces were able to participate in person or in hybrid format,
bringing together about 300 IFCC Officers, national representatives, and corporate members
from around the world to discuss many ongoing projects and preparing for their presentations
at the General Conference on Sunday. This was followed by a special welcome presentation
by a representative of the European Commission, Dr. Loukianos Gatzoulis, Director-General,
Health and Food Safety, European Commission, Health Technology Assessment. The day
ended with a welcome dinner for all IFCC Officers, National Representatives, and invited
guests/accompanying persons. The 70th Anniversary Celebrations started on the Saturday withpresentations from the IFCC Executive Board and IFCC Past Presidents, including Dr. Matthew
McQueen, Dr. Matthias Muller, Dr. Graham Beastall, and Dr. Maurizio Ferrari, highlighting
major IFCC milestones/achievement during their tenure as president. This was followed bypresentations by Regional Federation Presidents, Dr. Tomris Ozben (EFLM), Dr. Rajiv Erasmus(AFCC), Dr. Alvaro Justiniano Grosz (COLABIOCLI), Dr. Osama Najar (AFCB), Dr. Stephen Hill/
David Kinniburgh (NAFCC), and Dr. Endang Hoyaranda (APFCB). In the afternoon, a special 70th
Anniversary Symposium was organized focusing on the Critical Role of Clinical Laboratories inPatient Care and Public Health, with excellent presentations by Khosrow Shotorbani (Lab 2.0),
Dr. David Grenache (AACC/TriCore), Dr. Francis Mousy (Director, IVD, WHO), and Dr. Christa
Cobbaert (Vice-Chair, Scientific Division, on IVDR). A Special Industry Forum was then held on
the future of IVD over the next decade with presentations by Dr. Anne Skurup (Radiometer), Dr.
Frank Vitzthum, Siemens Healthineers, Els Melis (QuidelOrtho), and Dr. Brendan Meyer (Becton
Dickinson). Special guests from other organizations, including WASPALM, Balkan Federation,

7

EQALM, and Francophonie, were also invited to break silos and encourage collaboration
between laboratory medicine organizations around the world. To finish off the day, all participants
attended a special dinner with live jazz music to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of IFCC. It
was a great opportunity for the IFCC community to come together and celebrate the many
achievements of the organization over the past 70 years. On Sunday, updates were provided
by the IFCC Executive Board, Division Chairs (SD, EMD, ETD, CPD), Conference & Congresses
Committee, as well as the five new IFCC Task Forces. These included the Task Forces on Global
Newborn Screening, Global Lab Quality, Global Reference Interval Database, Outcome Studies
in Lab Med, and Global eLearning/eAcademy. The vast number of ongoing and new projects
undertaken by the IFCC functional groups were manifest with significant progress being madeon a number of important fronts, working towards the IFCC’s new vision and mission to be
more proactive and implement the current IFCC strategic plans.
To conclude the meeting, I provided an update on new priorities for IFCC over the coming year
including: 1) Breaking silos by working with other groups/organizations in the field of laboratory
medicine, 2) Enhancing IFCC presence online through a new updated website and web/mobile
tools, 3) Developing and publishing IFCC clinical laboratory practice guidelines to support clinicallaboratories globally, and 4) Accreditation of all IFCC educational programs including webinars
and conferences to support education of clinical laboratory professionals around the world.
Following the General Conference, we have received highly positive feedback from the attendees
both informally as well as through a formal survey of the participants. Over 98% were either
satisfied or highly satisfied with the General Conference and found it highly enjoyable andproductive.
IFCC Global MEDLAB Week: Aside from these successful events, I would also like to highlightthe official launch of the IFCC Global MEDLAB Week in 2022, which we inaugurated in Munichon April 10 and celebrated during the Lab Week from April 18-24. Many national societies andregional federations participated in this celebration and we had over 30,000 lab professionals
and others around the world joining in the Social Media Campaign in support of the Global
MEDLAB Week. It is crucial that we continue to recognize and celebrate the Vital Impact ofLaboratory Medicine and the Critical Role of Laboratory Professionals in Public Health & Patient
Care around the world. This includes laboratory technicians, managers, scientists, clinicians,
and so many more individuals, as we all play an important part in the delivery of laboratory
medicine. To find out more about this initiative and get involved in our campaign, visit our
website: www.globalmedlabweek.org
IFCC Taskforces: Several new taskforces created in 2020 and 2021 continued their importantwork in 2022 focusing on several key projects including Global Lab Quality, Global Newborn
Screening, Global eLearning/eAcademy, Global Reference Interval Database, COVID-19, andOutcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine. Major progress has been made by most taskforces
and most are expected to complete their initial objectives by the end of 2023. A new taskforce
was also proposed in 2022 focusing on Environmental Impact of Laboratory Medicine and IVD.
In 2023, this task force will embark on a crucial global mission: evaluating the environmental
consequences of clinical laboratory services and offering comprehensive guidelines to mitigate
laboratory waste and its adverse effects on the environment.
In essence, the year 2022 proved to be a momentous period for the IFCC Organization, marked
by a multitude of activities following the challenging era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking
ahead, I am optimistic about the substantial potential that lies ahead for this global federation,
as it persists in expanding, thriving, and providing unwavering support to our members acrossthe globe. I would like to thank the IFCC community for their unwavering commitment anddedication in driving forward the field of laboratory medicine, and for their direct contributions
to enhancing public health and patient care on a global scale.
Prof. Khosrow Adeli

8

EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB)With the reduction in COVID-19 restrictions in many parts of the world in 2022, the IFCC wasable to once again hold in-person meetings. The Executive Board (EB) was very productive,
conducting seven meetings (three virtual and four in person). The 158th EB meeting in Milanin February included a strategic planning session with the IFCC Division Chairs. The 159th EB
meeting in Munich in April was held in conjunction with the EuroMedLab Congress. The IFCC
Council Meeting was also held in Munich. The 160th EB meeting in Seoul in June/July was heldin conjunction with the WorldLab Congress. The 162nd EB meeting in Brussels in October washeld in conjunction with the IFCC General Conference. The minutes of all the meetings areavailable on the IFCC Website.
The IFCC Divisions, Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces have also resumed theirin-person meetings in addition to regular virtual meetings, and the details of their activities arenoted elsewhere in this Annual Report. Going forward all functional groups will meet once per
year in person and at least three times via virtual meetings. One again I extend my thanks to all
the IFCC volunteers from our member societies around the world, serving on IFCC Committees,
Working groups and Task forces, for their excellent work and their commitment to the IFCC. It
is the dedicated efforts of the many volunteers that make the IFCC the successful organizationthat it is.
The IFCC membership continues to grow, and as of December 31, 2022, included 95 Full
Members, 22 Affiliate Members and 56 Corporate Members. During 2022 three Affiliate
Member Societies joined: the Asociación Española de Biopatología Médica- Medicina deLaboratorio (AEBM-ML) Spanish Association of Medical Biopathology-Laboratory Medicine,
Botswana Institute of Clinical Laboratory Professionals (BICLP) and the National Federation ofClinical Chemistry Schools AC - Federación Nacional de Colegios Profesionales de la Química
Clínica, A.C. (FENACQC), Mexico. We also welcomed eight new Corporate Members: Autobio
Diagnostics Co. Ltd., SYNLAB International GmbH, DiaSorin SpA, Biomasterclin Laboratorios
Venezuela, Sansure Biotech Inc., Quality Academics, S.C., Jiangsu BioPerfectus Technologies
Co., Ltd. and ARKRAY, Inc. A warm welcome to all the new members joining the IFCC family.
2022 was the second year of my second term as Secretary for the IFCC Executive Board and I
would like to thank all the IFCC officers, members and colleagues who I have worked with fortheir cooperation and assistance. With the relaxation of COVID restrictions in many parts of
the world it was great to be able to see many of you again in-person at meetings/congresses.
The IFCC also continued to host many virtual meetings which were enthusiastically attended
by delegates from around the world. The EuroMedLab and WorldLab congresses were also
made available (at least in part) to virtual delegates, and the IFCC has committed to make all
future congresses hybrid events, so that members who are not able to attend the congresses
in person can benefit from the excellent education provided.
Special thanks to the IFCC Office staff in Milan, Paola Bramati, Silvia Cardinale, Silvia Colli
Lanzi, Smeralda Skenderaj, Elisa Fossati and Sofia Giardina who have worked so hard to keep
our many activities moving forward.

David Kinniburgh - Executive Board Secretary92022 TREASURER’S ANNUAL REPORT
During the second year of my term as the IFCC treasurer, until the end of May along with
the IFCC staff the annual dues of Full, Affiliate and Corporate Members were received, theadherence of IFCC operating units to their allocated budgeted were monitored and detailed
records of all transactions were kept, reimbursements were processed immediately after thereceipt of the claims from the IFCC office. Close collaboration was achieved with the IFCC
investment bank (Credit Swiss) to optimise the financial return on IFCC investments. The annual
accounts and financial actions will be reviewed by the KPMG auditors in order to finalize theactual income and expenses at 31st December 2022

1. COMPARISON OF 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET WITH ACTUALS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022
The 2022 budget was expected to be closed with a deficit of CHF -824,834.59. Instead, it wasclosed with a surplus of CHF 529,328.50 (Fig. 1a). The main reasons for this difference were thedecreased expenses (travel etc) during the final year of the pandemic as also as the profit fromthe IFCC webinars and mostly from the WorldLab of Seoul (CHF 233,568) and of EuroMedLabat Munich (CHF1,241,000).

IFCC Summary budget 2022
Proposal 2022

Actual 2022

Total lncome

2,083,407.62

2,236,516.00

Total Expenses

2,908,242.21

1,707,187.50

Net lncome-824,834.59

529,328.50

Figure 1a. 2022 proposed budget versus to actual at 31st December 2022.

If we readjust the budget separating the sponsorship budget with utilization of previous years
balances carried over to the year actually used we have a more balanced picture (Fig 1b).

IFCC Summary budget 2022
SUMMARY BUDGET

Proposal 2022

Actual 2022

Total lncome

2,009,100.00

2,140,787.00

Total Expenses

2,055,680.00

1,535,721.50-46,580.00

605,065.50

Net lncome

SPONSORSHIP BUDGET ONLY

Proposal 2022

Actual 2022

Total lncome

74,307.62

95,729.00

Total Expenses

852,562.21

171,466.00

Yearly possible difference-778,254.59-75,737.00

Figure 1b. 2022 proposed budget versus to actual at 31st December 2022 separating thesponsorship budget.
Here the proposed sponsorship deficit of CHF -778,254.59 is balanced by previous year rolled
over sponsorship balance readjusting the proposed year balance to CHF -46,580.00. At theactuals column the profit of the year 2022 of CHF 605,065.50 is lowered to the final actual profitof CHF 529,328.50 subtracting the real 2022 sponsorship deficit of CHF -75,737.00.
10

2. TOTAL OPERATIONAL REVENUES AND FINANCIAL INCOME
The actual total operational revenues and financial income were CHF 2,236,516.00 (Fig. 2).
REVENUES & INCOME 2022

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

Full members (National Societies)

175,000.00

170,161.00

Corporate members

250,000.00

392,566.00

Affiliate members

4,500.00

5,261.00

lncome from CLSI rovalties

2,000.00

686.00

Revenue ICHCLR for Secretariat suooort

4,500.00

0.0 0

500,000.00

233,568.00

1,000,000.00

1,241,000.00

40,000.00

65,043.00

3,000.00

0.00

30,000.00

29,300.00

100.000.00

Overhead on soonsorshio oroiects

0.00

3,202.00

Profits on exchange

0.00

0.00

TOTAL REVENUES & INCOME

2,009,100.00

2,140,787.00

PROJECTS' SPONSORSHIP ONLY - INCOME 2022

Worldlab Seoul 2020
EuroMedlab Munich 2022
lncome for Scientific Division ISDl Eurooean Comm lex IRMMl
Elsevier suooort AACC
lncome from Com. Pubi. div. (CPD) Endorsement - includina ADV
FEN expenses reimbursed

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

JCTLM database project sponsorship

0.00

19,528.00

Revenue ICHCLR - subaccount

0.00

1,415.00

IFCC-AACC Pearls IEMD C-Dll

0.00

11 700.0 0

0.00

0.0 0

8,046.62

0.00

Abbott Univants Proiect

0.00

0.00

Task Force YS - Webinar suooort

0.00

0.00

66 261.00

63,086.00

Abbott VLP sponsorship
ICPLM virtual satellite meetina Munich

Task Force Global el earning/eAcademy sponsorship

0.00

0.00

74,307.62

95,729.00

2,083,407.62

2,236,516.00

lncome for (Roche) travel scholarships
TOTAL SPONSORSHIP INCOME
TOTAL INCOME

Figure 2. The expected and actual INCOME at 31st December 2021.
Thanks all the member Societies and Corporate members that supported IFCC throughout theyears. Their continuous contribution has made possible the accomplishment of numerous IFCC
tasks and projects. IFCC is grateful to the IVD industry for their support and active participationin the IFCC scientific events and the endorsement of the new form of virtual events. We also
thank the members for their loyalty and attention in paying dues at the start of the year, whichhelps the cash flow.
Divisions and some Functional Units raise some sponsorships funds which give them a certain
flexibility in conducting projects. These sponsorships are used for the specific projects in duetime. The unspent sponsorship funds are carried over to the next years.

113. TOTAL OPERATIONAL COSTS AND FINANCIAL CHARGES
The actual total operational costs and financial charges in 2022 were CHF 1,707,187.50 (Fig.5).

IFCC GENERAL EXPENSES - 2021 Budget to 31 December 2021 Actuals
Budget 2022

Actual 2022

350,000.00

383,772.00

53,680.00

50,112.50

40,000.00

10,278.00

153,000.00

34,251.00

116,500.001

57,858.00

121,000.00

105,682.00

68,000.00

14,981.00

509,500.00

212,849.00

27,000.00

5,000.00

28,000.00

27,675.00

274,000.00

227,050.00

315,000.00

406,213.00

2,055,680.00

1,535,721.50

Organisations Affiliated with IFCCTOTALIFCC lnternational/Regional Organisations
TOTAL
IFCC Congresses and Conferences Committee (C-CC)
TOTAL
IFCC Scientific Division (SO)TOTAL
IFCC Education and Management Division (EMD)
TOTAL
IFCC Communication Publication Division (CPD)TOTAL
IFCC Emerging Technologies Division (ETD)TOTAL
IFCC Special Projects
TOTAL
IFCC Statutes & Rules
TOTAL
IFCC Financial Report
TOTAL
16. IFCC Organisational Matters
TOTAL
19. IFCC Executive Board (EB)TOTALGENERAL TOTALORGZANIZATIONS PROJECTS' SPONSORSHIP ONLY

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

4,945.05

3,325.00

ICHCLR subaccount carry over

228,304.00

11,425.00

EMD Symposium • WorldLab Seoul 2020- Abbott

18,576.00

9,398.00

251,825.05

24,148.00

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

06 02 02

JCTLM web site support sponsorship

06 39 00
07 07 03TOTAL
SO PROJECTS’ SPONSORSHIP ONLY

12

08:05:02

Standardisation of Thyroid Function Tests (WG-STFT) Sponsorship Phase IV

98,516.53

0.00

08:05:03

Standardisation of Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (WGSCDT) - Sponsorship

24,188.25

4,907.00

08:05:04

Standard of PAPP A (WG-PAPP A) - Sponsorship

41,952.30

12,967.00

08:05:05

Standardisation of lnsulin (WG- SIA) - Sponsorship

9,000.00

0.00

08:05:07

WG-PTH Project - Sponsorship (to be used by C-BM)

35,624.00

24,579.00

08:05:08

WG-TNI Project - Sponsorship

14,667.00

0.00

08 05 09

WG-SBMA Project - Sponsorship (to be used by C-BM)

948.33948.0008 05 1008 05 20

WG-FIT Project - Sponsorship

8,747.62

0.00

WG Apolipoproteins (WG-APO MS) - Sponsorship

12,597.71

0.00

246,241.74

43,401.00

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

0.00

3,508.00

TOTAL
EMD PROJECTS’ SPONSORSHIP ONLY
09.02.10

Committee on Distance Learning (C-DL) - including IFCCAACC Pearls

09.04.01

Visiting Lecturer Programme (VLP) 2019 - carry over

16,460.22

16,376.00

09.04.01

Visiting Lecturer Programme (VLP) 2020 - carry over

48,000.00

7,735.00

09.04.01

Visiting Lecturer Programme (VLP) 2021 - carry over

23,000.00

0.00

09 05 04

Committee of Cardiac Biomarkers (C-CB) - sponsorship only

79,228.00

3,263.00

09.02.09

C-CLM Symposium Durban - carry over

3,345.00

3,518.00

09.02.14

C-POCT Durban Meeting - surplus budgetTOTAL
CPD PROJECTS’ SPONSORSHIP ONLY - EXPENSES

10.00.03

3,000.00

0.00

173,033.22

34,400.00

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

58,716.00

0.00

58,716.00

0.00

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

e-AcademyTOTAL
ETD PROJECTS’ SPONSORSHIP ONLY - EXPENSES

11 02 01

Durban Meeting surplus budget ICPLM

8,471.00

0.00

11 05 01

ICPLM Virtual satellite Munich - surplus

8,046.62

0.00

16,517.62

0.00

TOTAL

Budget 2022

Actual 2022

13 01 21

Task Force on Global eLearning-eAcademy (TF-GEL)
sponsorship

SPECIAL PROJECTS’ SPONSORSHIP ONLY - EXPENSES

66,260.58

27,000.00

13.03.01

ROCHE Travel Scholarships - 2019 carry aver

18,968.00

18,966.00

13.03.01

ROCHE Travel Scholarships - 2020 carry aver

21,000.00

23,551.00

13.03.01

ROCHE Travel Scholarships - 2023

0.00

0.00

TOTAL

106,228.58

69,517.00

TOTAL

852,562.21

171,466.00

Figure 3. IFCC General Expenses 2022

4. TOTAL BALANCE AT CREDIT SUISSE ON 31 DECEMBER 2022
Total amount of cash available on December 31st, 2020, when converted into CHF currency
was CHF 2,856,404 and total amount of our safekeeping accounts (investments) was CHF
3,657,044

5. TOTAL BALANCE AT CREDIT SUISSE ON 3 JUNE 2023
Total amount of cash available on June 3rd, 2023, when converted into CHF currency was CHF
4,565,898 and total amount of our safekeeping accounts (investments) was CHF 3,672,090.

13

6. IFCC INVESTMENTS AT CREDIT SUISSE

Figure 4. Return of IFCC investments between 2017 to 04.06.2023 was -1.13%

Figure 5. Return of IFCC investments between 01.01.2023 to 04.06.2023 was +1.45%
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).
Dr. Alexander Haliassos, IFCC Treasurer

14

CORPORATE MEMBERS’ REPORT
Joseph Passarelli (Roche)
Corporate Representative at IFCC Executive Board (1st term 2021-2023)
In 2022 IFCC was pleased to welcome Autobio Diagnostics (China) Synlab International GmbH
(Germany), DiaSorin S.p.A (Italy), Biomasterclin Laboratorios (Venezuela), Sansure Biotech
Inc. (China), Quality Academics (Mexico), Jiangsu Bioperfectus Technologies Co. (China), andArkary, Inc. (Japan) as new Corporate Members. Regrettably, in 2022 the following Corporate
Members left IFCC: GenScript Biotech Corporation (Singapore), Nova Biomedical (UnitedStates), Shanghai Zhicheng Biological Technology Co., Ltd (China), and Sekisui Diagnostics(United Kingdom). By the end of 2022, the total number of IFCC’s Corporate Members was 56,
an increase of 4 companies from the previous year.
Interest in new IFCC Corporate Membership comes mainly from China (10 Corporate Members,
followed by UK, 7 Corporate Members, USA, 6 Corporate Members, Germany, Italy, Japan 5
Corporate Members and Finland 4 Corporate Members each). Not all IFCC Corporate Members
are manufacturers but several are distributors. In 2022, Corporate Members contributed withannual fees of ~330.000 CHF to approximately 50% of IFCC’s total direct annual income from its
members (which comprise National Societies and Affiliate Member Societies as well). On top ofthis, IFCC received sponsorship for scientific or educational projects, awards, travel of students
and lecturers, and congresses (e.g. contribution to WorldLab 2022 was over 1.3 m CHF).
To enhance corporate membership, the Task Force Corporate Members (TF-CM), continues tobe very active under the leadership of the chair, Tricia Ravalico – Abbott. At the end of 2022,
in addition to its 7 full members, the TF had 6 active corresponding members, representing 13
companies in total. The TF-CM is reported separately but in brief, it was established to ensurethat Corporate Members’ interests are better addressed within IFCC (i.e. better representationof Corporate Members, more efficient discussion among Corporate Members, identificationof common topics and interaction with the direct report to the IFCC Executive Board) and toincrease the engagement of Corporate Members in IFCC since many Corporate Members are
not actively involved in IFCC activities. (See the respective website for details of the Task Force.)
The Corporate Members make additional important contributions to IFCC activities: Numerous
delegates from Corporate Members are actively engaged in most of the Task Forces, Committees,
and Working Groups in all IFCC divisions and in their Executive Committees, either as full members
or as corresponding members, as well as in the Congresses & Conferences Committee.
The following are the contact information for Corporate Representatives who were / aremembers of the Executive Committees of IFCC’s 4 divisions and the Congresses & Conferences
Committee. Please feel free to reach out to them in case you have questions:• Scientific Division: Michael Rottmann (Roche) (1st term Mar 2020-2022); Michael retired
at the end of 2022 and Christian Vogl (Roche) was appointed (1st term Jan 2023-2025)• Emerging Technologies Division: This division has two Corporate Representatives:
Markus Roessler (Roche) (2nd term 2021-2023), and Yan Liu (Mindray Medical
International Corporation) (1st term 2023-2025)• Education & Management Division: André Ziegler (Roche) (2nd term 2021-2023)• Communications & Publications Division: Tricia Ravalico (Abbott) (2nd term 2021-2023)• Congresses & Conferences Committee: Cheryl Jackson (Beckman Coulter) (2nd term
2021-2023).

15

The following persons were / are Corporate Members of the respective Congress Organizing
Committees (COCs):• IFCC / EuroMedLab 2021, Munich, Germany: Abir Alhelou (Abbott)(postponed due to Covid from 2021 and took place in April 2022)• IFCC / WorldLab 2022, Seoul, South Korea: Douglas Chung (Abbott)(postponed due to Covid until June 2022 and merged with the APFCB meeting which
had been planned 3 months later in the same region)• IFCC-EFLM WorldLab + EuroMedLab 2023, Rome, Italy: Angel de la Fuente (Roche);will take place in May 2023
• IFCC / WorldLab 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Vincent Chen (Snibe) and Angelde la Fuente (Roche); will take place in May 2024

Conferences in 2022:
As noted above, the COVID-19 pandemic required postponement of several IFCC conferences.
According to the contracts between the professional conference organizer MZ Events and theexhibiting companies, the companies have to accept postponements and relocations (but notcancellations) of IFCC conferences and cannot renegotiate their participation. This should be
carefully reconsidered before signing future sponsorship contracts.
In addition to the conferences noted above, the IFCC hosted its General Conference 2022 (October
28 – 31 in Brussels, Belgium) with the theme: Celebrating 70 years of Global Leadership inLaboratory Medicine. At the GC, corporate members within the TF- CM organized the following:

INDUSTRY FORUM: The Future of IVD over the next decade
1. Meeting the demand for clinical studies for regulatory approval: how can IFCC and the
IVD industry collaborate to meet the need? Anne Skurup (Radiometer)
2. Emerging trends Dr. Frank Vitzthum (Siemens Healthineers)
3. What have we learned from the experience of COVID Els Melis (QuidelOrtho)
4. IVD industry partnership with IFCC Brendan Meyer (BD)
5. Open Discussion / Q & A
Moderators:
Tricia Ravalico (Abbott)
Joe Passarelli (Roche)
The next Corporate Members Meetings will be held during the IFCC-EFLM WorldLab +EuroMedLab 2023, Rome, Italy on Monday, May 22, 2023. I would like to encourage all members
to take part in the meeting. The respective meeting details will be communicated later.
Finally, I want to sincerely thank all Corporate Members and all IFCC officers for the engaged
and constructive support that I have received. Special thanks goes to all those that actively
participating on the Task Force – Corporate Members. I am looking forward to continuing ourcollaboration and moving forward the IFCC and its corporate member’s interests.

Joseph Passarelli, Corporate Member Representative

16

COMMITTEE ON CONGRESSES AND CONFERENCES (C-CC)
CHAIR & MEMBERSHIP/TERMS OF OFFICEThe C-CC decided in the meeting to increase the number of Members of C-CC, according to
the recommendation of IFCC EB. The call for nominations was sent out on September 13, 2022.
C-CC received 9 nominations from the National Societies. The candidates were evaluated andscored by C-CC Members and C-CC recommendation was sent to EB for approval. Two newMembers of C-CC are Vladimir Palicka and Woei-horng Fang, The other candidates were invited
to join C-CC as Corresponding Members. The terms of the new members start on Jan 1, 2023.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
The C-CC formulates and updates as required the guidelines, procedures and practices for IFCCdesignated meetings and also monitors compliance throughout the planning and organizational
stages. The C-CC assists the organizing groups in the administration and promotion ofconferences, and helps these conferences obtain support, and achieve financial efficiency in thevarious economical aspects of their meetings.
The C-CC reviews all existing meeting guidelines every three years to ensure their continued
applicability and will write new guidelines for those meetings not covered by existing procedures.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Auspices Guidelines and Application Forms
current versions April 2022
ICCCLM Congress Guidelines and Application Formcurrent versions September 2021
EuroMedLab Congress Guidelines and Application Formcurrent versions December 2021
ICCCLM and EuroMedLab Congress – Evaluation and Scores Template
current version December 2021
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Guidance for National and International Congresses
current version May 2019
Scientific Program Guidelines for ICCCLM (WorldLab)current version May 2019
Scientific Program Guidelines for EuroMedLabcurrent version August 2017
Satellite Meeting Guidelines for an IFCC-sponsored Congress / Conference
current version May 2019
IFCC Guidelines for Compliance with Applicable Codes of Ethical Business Practicecurrent version May 201917

Term of reference 2
The C-CC maintains a current 5-year listing of congresses and conferences of professional
interest to the members of the IFCC, including both IFCC related conferences and those outside
the IFCC. This allows members to be aware of these meetings and allows potential conference
organisers to plan the dates of their meetings with care.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
IFCC Office updates the list of forthcoming and held congresses. This list can be found on the
IFCC website (https://ifcc.org/ifcc-congresses-and-conferences/ ). Below a list of congresses
held in 2022.
IFCC General Conference
14th IFCC General Conference was held on October 27-31, 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Guidance for National and International Congresses
current version May 2019
International Congresses of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (WorldLab)
IFCC ICCCLM (WorldLab) Seoul, Korea 2020 (May 24-28) - Revised 2022 (June 26 - 30)
Congress President: Prof. Won-Ki Min; Congress Chair: Prof. Junghan SongThis Congress was postponed on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjustments to thescientific program will be made as required.
The 24th ICCCLM was held jointly with the 16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry
A full report of WorldLab Seoul can be found in the September issue if IFCC eNews(https://cms.ifcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ifccenewsseptember2022.pdf).
Regional Congresses of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine
APFCB, Sydney, Australia, 2022 (October 15-18) - Revised 2022 Seoul, Korea (June 26 - 30)
Congress Chair: Helen Martin
The APFCB Congress 2022 was held jointly with the ICCCLM Seoul 2022.
EuroMedLab, Munich, Germany, 2021 (May 16 – 20) – Revised 2021
(November 28 – December 2) – Revised 2022 (April 10-14, 2022)
Congress Chair: Dr. Karl Lackner
On November 23, 2021 the congress was cancelled due to worsening corona situation.
EuroMedLab Munich was finally held on April 10-14, 2022.
Congress Chair Dr Karl Lackner has provided the final report of EuroMedLab Munich 2021. The
number of attendants was quite good even though the pandemic situation was still somewhat
alarming. There were 1756 delegates, 2770 visitors. For the first time the congress was held ashybrid meeting and there were 252 hybrid attendants. In the exhibition there were 3 Platinum
Sponsors, 3 Gold Sponsors, 4 Silver sponsors, 7 Bronze Sponsors and 45 exhibitors.

18

COLABIOCLI, Leon, Mexico 2022 (March 30 – April 2)
Congress Chair: Dr. Marie Jezebel Vite Casanova.
AFCB, Beirut, Lebanon, 2021 (May 27 – 29)
Congress Chair: Dr. Christian Haddad
Planning for the congress has been delayed on account of the recent events in Beirut (theexplosion) and Lebanon (financial collapse). The congress location has not been decided. May
2021 has been cancelled due to COVID and political problems. The congress was finally held
on Sept 9-10, 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
IFCC ICCCLM (WorldLab) Rome, Italy 2023 (May 21-25)
Congress Chair: Prof. Sergio Bernardini
The XXV IFCC WorldLab / XXV IFCC-EFLM EuroMedLab Rome 2023 will be held in Rome from21 to 23 May 2023. The venue is Roma Convention Center La Nuvola. The general organizationof the congress has progressed as planned and scheduled.
IFCC ICCCLM (WorldLab) Dubai, UAE 2024 (May 26-30)
The revised ICCCLM Congress Guidelines have been approved by EB. Due to revision of theguidelines the schedule of WorldLab was changed to 2-year cycle. Thus, WorldLab will takeplace on even years (2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030). EuroMedLab will take place on unevenyears (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, 2029, 2031).
The call for bids to host WorldLab 2024 has been distributed on October 1, 2021 with thedeadline of November 25, 2021. The deadline was extended to December 15, 2021 on November
26, 2021. The venue of WorldLab 2024 is Dubai, but the National Society responsible for theorganization is the Saudi Society or Clinical Chemistry together with the Arab Federation ofClinical Chemistry.
Congress Organizing Committee held the first meeting in Dubai on site on Dec 5, 2022 andvisited also the venue of the congress. Scientific Program Committee has also been establishedand they have had the first meeting in January 2023.
The IFCC Executive Board (EB) has agreed to support 5 IFCC symposia. IFCC Divisions Education and Management Division, Scientific Division, Communications and Publications
Division and Emerging Technologies Division and IFCC Task Forces are invited to submit
proposals according to the educational goals of the Congress. The Letter of invitation has been
sent on March 6, 2023 with the deadline of April 12, 2023.
IFCC ICCCLM (WorldLab) 2026
The call for bids to host WorldLab 2026 has been distributed on January 30, 2023 with thedeadline of April 30, 2023.
EuroMedLab, Rome, Italy 2023 (May 21-25)
See above - IFCC ICCCLM (WorldLab) Rome, Italy 2023 (May 21-25)
A separate EuroMedLab will not be held in 2023.

19

EuroMedLab, 2025
The call for bids to host EuroMedLab 2025 has been postponed due to revision of EuroMedLab
Congress Guidelines. Due to revision of the guidelines the schedule of EuroMedLabs andWorldLabs were changed to 2-year cycles. Thus, EuroMedLab will take place on uneven years(2021, 2023, 2025, 2027, 2029, 2031). WorldLab will take place on even years (2022, 2024,
2026, 2028, 2030).
The call for bids of EuroMedLab 2025 was distributed on May 2, 2022. We received four bids,(Brussels, Istanbul, London, Prague). The bids were independently evaluated and scored by
IFCC C-CC Members and Corresponding Members as well as EFLM C-ET (Committee on
Education and Training). The Chairs of C-CC and C-ET joined the evaluations and wrote a joint
report to the IFCC EB and EFLM EB. Both committees reached the same conclusion to grant
the congress to Brussels and recommended the EBs to approve this recommendation. IFCC
EB and EFLM EB approved Brussels as the venue for EuroMedLab 2025. This decision was
sent to the bidding societies as well as National Societies on Dec 1, 2022.
COLABIOCLI, Cartagena, Colombia 2024 (August 28 – August 31)
APFCB, Sydney, Australia, 2024 (October 31-November 11)
Term of reference 3
The C-CC designates as official IFCC approved meetings those conferences that conform to therequirements of the IFCC as a professional organisation, in order to promote the field of clinicallaboratory sciences and protect the interests of the IFCC. Within the framework of the IFCC
designated meetings, the C-CC will promote the IFCC and its functional units and discuss thepossibility of integration of IFCC units and members in the programme of the conference.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
C-CC received 81 applications for IFCC auspices, which all were granted. The list of thesemeetings can be found on the IFCC website (https://ifcc.org/ifcc-congresses-and-conferences/calendar-of-past-events/ ). The meetings are listed in three categories:
1. IFCC and Regional Federation Events
2. Corporate Member Events with IFCC Auspices
3. Other Events with IFCC Auspices
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
C-CC will continue handling applications for IFCC Auspices for national, corporate and otherevents. C-CC has granted 25 auspices for events by March 15.

2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
The thirty-eighth (38th) meeting of the IFCC Executive Board Committee on Congresses andConferences was held on June 28, 2022 during the WorldLab Seoul on June 26-30, 2022. The
meeting was a hybrid meeting, where some members were in person on site and others attended
via Teams.
The second meeting was held on Oct 28, 2022 as a hybrid meeting, in connection to the IFCC
General Conference.

20

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
C-CC will have a meeting during the WorldLab Rome in May 28, 2023.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSC-CC Chair Päivi Laitinen gave a report of C-CC activities at the IFCC General Conference inBrussels.
P. Laitinen, C-CC ChairSCIENTIFIC DIVISION (SD)
During 2022, the following members served on the SD Executive Committee:
Chair: Philippe Gillery (France)
Vice-Chair: Christa Cobbaert (the Netherlands)
Secretary: Garry John (United Kingdom)
Members: Barnali Das (India), Konstantinos Makris (Greece), Mario Plebani (Italy), Michael
Rottmann (Corporate representative; Germany).
Invited Representatives of International Organizations: Ian Young (ICHCLR), Karen Phinney(NIST), Chris Burns (NIBSC), Yang Zhen (NIFDC), Greg Miller (JCTLM), Ralf Josephs (BIPM),
Liesbet Deprez (JRC).
Relationship with International Organizations
The SD continues to pursue the expansion of its activities to collaborate with internationalorganizations to promote the implementation of the concept of traceability in laboratory medicine
and the implementation of reference measurement systems.
No reports have been submitted on relationships with international organisations. Information given in this report isdrawn from SD-EC minutes.

BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES (BIPM)
BIPM have been very busy preparing for their general conference which happens every four
years; this happened 15 – 18th November 2022. This is important as it is the meeting of themember states and has the voting for planning for the next four years, and approving the work
program. GM presented the work and visions of the JCTLM.
There is the latest version of the JCTLM database on the BIPM website; and this has beenpromoted along with promoting the JCTLM workshop in Milan on CRP. It is important to discussspecific analytes to get agreement on difficult issues.
Joint Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM)
The new database is now available which is so much easier to use than the previous version;
additionally, the JCTLM is collaborating with IFCC to develop a new web presence. The JCTLM
WG on traceability and education has had a website hosted by the IFCC for a number of years;
the project when completed, hopefully next year, will have this as the landing page. So if you
search JCTLM you will be guided there and there will be links from the IFCC hosted website to
the JCTLM managed database and managed processes. The design has been agreed. This will
make information about the JCTLM far easier to access. The 2021 workshop was published21

in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. It is satisfying that these recommendations
have been published within 10 months of being discussed. There will be links to theserecommendations from other websites soon.
The key outcome from the workshop in terms of IFCC SD is to increase the SD engagementof regulators, going forward engaging the regulatory world is central to standardisation
implementation.
There was a meeting between ICHCLR, IFCC and JCTLM to improve collaboration. The IFCC
EB has had close links for a number of years; and it has been decided to invite the SD chair toparticipate in the executive committee meeting of JCTLM. PG and CC attended the last board
meeting. GM stated he welcomed this improved collaboration, this will help the review teams
and the whole JCTLM process. This collaboration will hopefully improve the understanding ofISO standards by the WGs.
Another outcome of the workshop was for JCTLM to collaborate with the SD to develop an
educational programme, the details of which are still to be defined. And also collaborative activity
developed to explain ISO requirements for reference materials and reference procedures so that
WG chairs and members can become confident in processes so can improve the processing
through to JCTLM approval.
Joint Research Center (JRC)
Status report on the CRM projects of the JRC in collaboration with the IFCC (October 2022).
CRMs for auto immune disorders [IFCC Committee on Harmonization of Autoimmune
Tests (C-HAT)]CRM for IgG anti-B2GP (antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)): ERM-DA477/IFCC. One large RM
batch was split into two: NIBSC 21/266 and ERM-DA477/IFCC. NIBSC 21/266 is established as
the first WHO standard for Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I Immunoglobulin G in Serum with an assigned
potency of 200 IU per vial. The International Standard is stored at NIBSC and only intended asa calibrant for the production of new working standard when needed.
ERM-DA477/IFCC is the first working standard with a certified value of 200 +/- 11 IU/mL. The
uncertainty comes from the homogeneity and stability studies. ERM-DA477/IFCC is available
via the catalogue of the JRC and intended to be used to calibrate and harmonise methods used
to measure antibody levels against ß2GP1 IgG in serum.
1.2 CRM for IgG and IgA anti tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) (Coeliac disease):
EURM-487/IFCC
Homogeneity and short term stability studies finished and confirmed sufficient homogeneity
and stability at 4 °C. Calibrator solutions produced based on purified anti-tTG IgA and IgG
antibodies from same donor as EURM-487/IFCC. The production of a highly purified calibrator
solution of anti-tTG IgA is challenging due to the low concentrations of IgA antibodies in humanserum.
Discussion on the establishment of a WHO international standard for anti-tTG IgA and IgG onhuman serum have started with NIBSC.
IgG anti-GBM (Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease): ERM-DA484/IFCC
Draft paper on the commutability study of the pilot batches prepared. Most suitable starting
material was selected and delivered to JRC. Processing will be done in the upcoming months.
CRMs for CSF proteins [IFCC Working Group on CSF proteins (WG-CSF)]
CRM for Aβ1-40 in CSF: ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC, ERM-DA482/IFCC
22

Studies to evaluate if the existing CRMs (ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC and ERMDA482/IFCC) can also be certified for Aβ1-40 are ongoing. Homogeneity, short and long-term
stability have been tested and results are good. The levels of Aβ1-40 in all three CRMs are close
to each other making the standardisation of the ratio 42/40 possible but not the Aβ1-40 alone.
Therefore, it should be evaluated if making a separate set of material for with different levels of
A1-40 would more suitable.
A calibrant peptide has been selected and quantified with amino acid analysis (AAA) by LNE,
LGC and JRC. Purity assessment performed by LNE and LGC. The final value assignment
ongoing.
Development of CRM for Neurofilament light (Nfl) in serum
From the WG, the second commutability study is in preparation with the aim to find the mostappropriate format for the future CRM. We have been consulted to give advice on how best toproceed.
CRMs for Haemoglobin A2 [IFCC Working Group on Standardisation of Haemoglobin A2(WG-HbA2)]: ERM-DA485/IFCC and ERM-DA486/IFCC
For the matrix CRM: 2 lyophilised materials have been processed: 1 with normal HbA2 levels
and 1 with elevated HbA2 levels and confirmed sufficient homogeneity and stability at -20 °C.
First checks with several commercial assays show good results. Homogeneity and short term
stability studies are finished. Long-term stability, certification studies and commutability study
are being planned for end of 2022-beginning 2023.
CRMs for apolipoproteins [IFCC Working Group on apolipoproteins by Mass Spectrometry(WG-APO MS)]For the peptide calibrators for Lp(a): The JRC has produced the batches of peptides solutions
that can be used as calibrators in the candidate RMP. The purity checks and AAA measurementon the peptides calibrators is done by the JRC and LNE. The first results show that the purity ofthe primary peptide materials is high, and therefore it is anticipated that not much effort has tobe put into analysis of impurities.
For the serum CRM for Lp(a): several candidate RM have been investigated in a commutability
study. Results of this study indicate that a CRM based on unspiked pools of human serums
have the best commutability profile. Publication on the correlation/commutability study isprepared and submitted to Clin Chem. The preparation of the secondary reference materials
has started with the search for suitable donors. Sera from 90 donors have been screened for
apo(a) concentration through the cRMP as well as one immunoassay (ITA, Roche Tinaquant
LPA2). Moreover, these samples were typed for their number of KIV-2 repeats. Based on theircharacteristics, the suitable donors will be selected and subdivided into five groups, each groupto produce one pooled secondary reference material.
Work on standardisation/harmonisation faecal immunochemical testing [IFCC working
group in Faecal Immunochemical Testing [WG-FIT)]
Publication on the first correlation/commutability study is currently being drafted. The resultsof 4 frequently used FIT methods correlated quite well but there is a significant bias. Using acommon threshold for these 4 methods is currently not feasible. The 7 commercially available
RMs were tested for their possible use for standardising FIT assays and their commutability.
Two of the RMs showed a good commutability profile. These 2 RMs consist of Hb from humanblood diluted in the specific buffers of each FIT method. Addition feasibility studies are needed
to test if these RM can be produced in larger stable batches. The value assignment will also be
difficult given the low Hb concentration: 1000 times lower than in blood.
23

The bias shown between methods makes it difficult to set guidelines. GJ commented that there
are national guidelines used in many countries with associated misdiagnosis. Clinical societies
should be approached to address this issue. MP commented that cut-offs are sometimes apolitical (health economic?) issue based on how many patients can undergo endoscopy.
CRMs for enzymes [IFCC working Group on Pancreatic Enzymes (WG-PE)]
The project for the production of a CRM for the catalytic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
is started. Three pilot batches will be checked for their commutability.
The CRM for the catalytic activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) will need to be replaced
within 3 years so the search for suitable starting material has started. A commutability study
with four pilot batches has started.
CRM for Estradiol in human serum
The sales stocks of the CRMs BCR-576-578 are running low. These materials will be replacedwith new batches, which will be tested for their commutability for several IVD methods. The
collection of the starting material (human serum with different concentration of estradiol) is
currently ongoing. Discussions ongoing to include these new materials in the upcoming CCQM
study on estradiol in 2024-2025.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST’s lab activities are returning to normal. Acquisition of candidate SRM materials has been
delayed in some cases because of supply chain issues. NIST now has the option to develop
Research Grade Test Materials (RGTMs) that do not have the same level of characterization as
SRMs but can be disseminated more quickly. RGTMs may be useful for interlaboratory studies
or as a precursor to future SRM development.
Specific projects relevant to the IFCC Scientific Division include:
SRM 2921a Human Cardiac Troponin Complex: This is a replacement material for SRM 2921
which is out of stock. We expect that the new material will be very similar to the previous one,and certification measurements should be completed by the end of 2022. Release of SRM
2921a is anticipated in the first quarter of 2023.
RM 8121 Cardiac Troponin I in Frozen Human Plasma: Material preparation is in progress.
We are finalizing scheduling for the blending and aliquoting of this material by Solomon Park
Research Labs.
SRM 3666 Albumin and Creatinine in Frozen Human Urine: Certification measurements arecomplete and documentation is in review. A commutability study is being planned.
Additional status information on RM/SRM projects that may be of interest is includedin the table.
NIST Clinical Certified Reference Materials; October 2022 update reflecting changes within
the last 12 months.
AnalyteGlucose in Frozen Human
Serum

24

NIST
Identifier
SRM 965c

ReleaseDate
2023

Description• Renewal material• Material acquisition in progressAnalyte

NIST
Identifier

ReleaseDate

Description

Creatinine in Frozen Human
Serum – Low Level

SRM 967b

2023• Renewal material• Material acquisition in progress

Bovine Serum Albumin (7%solution)

SRM 927g

Mid 2023• Renewal of SRM 927f

Human Cardiac TroponinComplex

SRM 2921a

Early 2023

• Renewal of SRM 2921

Albumin and Creatinine in
Fro-zen Human Urine

SRM 3666

Early 2023

• Certification measurements
in review

Homocysteine in Frozen
Human Serum

SRM 1955a

2023• Material acquisition in progress

Cardiac Troponin I in Frozen
Human Plasma

RM 81212023• Material acquisition in progress

Electrolytes in Frozen HumanSerum

SRM 956e

2023• Certification measurements
in progress

GlucoseSRM 917d

Late 2022• Renewal of SRM 917c
• Documentation in review

Tripalmitin

SRM 1595a

2023• Renewal of SRM 1595
• Procurement of material
in progress

JC Virus DNA Quantitative
Standard

SRM 2367

January2022• New material

MPXV Synthetic DNA PCR
Standards

RGTM 10223

August2022• PCR assay targets fromMonkeypox genome

The International Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results (ICHCLR)ICHCLR will continue to work independently but in close collaboration with IFCC SD. The
committee will focus on measurands according to medical / clinical need and ensuring
measurands are kept up to date by review.
ICHCLR are looking to funding investigation of non-harmonised measurands over a three-yeartime period; the SD chair will be involved in deciding which projects are taken forward.
ICHCLR lists a number of measurands that require work and should be prioritised.
European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
The EFLM Task force on European Regulatory Affairs has observers in the Medical Device
Coordination Group (MDCG) who may interact with representatives of the European Commission.
The EFLM TF ERA comments on guidance documents produced by the MDCG and periodicallyinvestigates whether there is a realistic understanding of the risks associated with implementationof this EU regulatory infrastructure; the concern is that they don’t. If this had been implemented
at the date of application, there would have been a diagnostic collapse. It would have been adisaster for many existing tests; We have already lost 22% tests in transition. There is now aphased role out, starting with the highest risk classes. There is a 10-fold increase in tests thathave to be evaluated under the IVDR as compared to the former IVDD. There is much concern
over academically derived tests. There are significant differences in how EU member states
are responding to this regulation. We need to find a way to deliver testing in a sustainable andaffordable way.
World Health Organization (WHO)Communication with WHO remains limited despite the efforts of Chris Burns. Although
WHO have in recent months sought assistance from IFCC with disseminating draft technical25

specifications for IVDs listed in the WHO Model list of Essential In vitro Diagnostics (EDL) as partof a public consultation process
Activities of Committees and Working Groups
The Committees (Cs), which are theme-oriented, carry out much of the scientific and professional
activities of the SD. Their work is often in close collaboration with other international organizations.
For more specific tasks, the activities are usually accomplished through Working Groups (WGs).

COMMITTEES
C-Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU)
Chair: Young Bae Lee Hansen (DK)

Term of reference 1
To continuously provide advice for the management, updating and publishing of the NPU
terminology
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The NPU Steering Committee website continues to act as the main governance site (http://www.
npu-terminology.org), while the NPU terminology itself can be searched from (http://www.ifcc.
org/ifcc-scientific-division/sd-committees/c-npu/npusearch/). The NPU also holds a Wikipedia
page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPU_terminology
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Continue teleconference and face-to-face meetings of both the C-NPU and NPU SC.
• Publish the IUPAC project Online Dynamic Manual and continue on developing thehomepage, www.labterminology.com.
• C-NPU continues to review terminological issues around use of the NPU terminology
from users and national release centres.
• C-NPU continues in planning of having a symposium at the IFCC WorldMedLabcongress in Dubai 2024

Term of reference 2
To make recommendations on NPU for reporting clinical laboratory data that conform to or
adapt current standards of authoritative organizations, and that will improve their utilization
for health care.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
NPU Steering Committee continues to administer and update its strategic plan and work on theinternational release centres.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
C-NPU will continue to work in order to broaden the international use of NPU terminology and todemonstrate how NPU terminology may be used with other terminologies and open standards,
for example SNOMED CT and FHIR messaging.

26

C-NPU will work on an international communication standard for a laboratory information
model, and establish NPU terminology as an integral component of laboratory messaging.

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 for Standardization(CEN) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and, by extension, clinicallaboratory science societies such as the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC), and the in vitro diagnostics industry, to ensure that problems encountered byhealth care professionals in the area of NPU are considered by those organizations.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• C-NPU is representing IFCC as Liaison A member in the ISO working group, TC215.
• C-NPU has begun a cooperation with a subgroup of JCTLM, chaired by Dr Elvar
Theodorsson in discussing the need of information about measurement procedures andhow to establish a standardized description of measurement procedures.
• Titular member Koh Furuta (KF, JPN) participate in the revision of ISO 15189• Gunnar Nordin participate in BIPM WG2 meetings and provide input into the upcoming
VIM4 (International Vocabulary of Metrology).
• Daniel Karlsson reports to the NPU on IHTSDO/SNOMED-CT related matters.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinuation of activities described above

Term of reference 4
To act as a consultant group on NPU in clinical chemistry and, by extension, in the rest ofclinical laboratory sciences to international scientific panels, regional and national clinicallaboratory sciences organizations, editors of scientific journals, manufacturers of clinicallaboratory instrumentation and products, and to individual clinical laboratory professionals
and other health care professionals.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Chair and individual NPU members continue to be active with their societies, particularly in theinformatics and terminology arenas. NPU connected members are active as members of theirrespective national NPU release centres (NRCs)
Gunnar Nordin continues to be active within the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology
Working Group 2 (JCGM WG2)
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinuation of activities described above

27

C-Molecular Diagnostics (C-MD)
Chair: Parviz Ahmad-Nejad (DE)Term of reference 1
Provide reports about the current status quo in Molecular Diagnostics. We use surveys in
English and Spanish to gather information as a method.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Publication of the results. Organization, evaluation and publication of an international survey on
the diagnostics of SARS-CoV2.
Preparation and implementation of an international survey on the diagnostics of ctDNA in IFCC
member states. The C-MD of the IFCC conducted a survey among international laboratories
performing ctDNA analysis. Questions on analytical techniques, test parameters, quality
assurance and the reporting of findings were included in the survey. A total of 58 laboratories
from 24 countries participated in the survey. The results have just been submitted to Clin Chem
Acta after approval by the SD.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Generation of two additional surveys addressing:• Quality assurance probably with a focus on Mpox and SARS CoV2/infectious diagnostics• Diagnostics of tuberculosis

Term of reference 2
To produce guidelines on molecular techniques and their validation for routine diagnostics
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference••••

The committee has not generated any demonstrable data on this in 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
To produce guidelines on quality assurance in molecular diagnostics techniques.
If possible, we will try to develop a guideline for PCR set-up and primer designin cooperation with the C-CMBC.

Term of reference 3
To create a network of locus-specific IFCC Molecular Diagnostics Centres
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Currently, the current Molecular diagnostic centres (Expert and network) Laboratories havebeen asked to give an update/feedback on their activities in 2022, so that an inventory can bemade of what activities actually exist in real life through these types of centres. A current list of
the labs can be found here:
https://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-scientific-division/sd-committees/c-md/
moleculardiagnosticcentresoftheifcc/
andhttps://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-scientific-division/sd-committees/c-md/molecular-diagnosticnetwork-laboratories/.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
28

The purpose of the query is to evaluate whether the IFCC MDC concept is actually working andwhat the benefits to the regions are. The data generated will be discussed and evaluated at theupcoming C-MD meeting on 5/22/2023.
Comments from Committee Chair:
Not only the Corona pandemic, but also the steadily advancing development and performanceof molecular genetic tests has in recent years placed ever more complex demands on thelaboratories performing them, and also presents the C-MD with ever new challenges.
The question arises whether the entirety of molecular genetic diagnostics in its complexity canbe addressed by the C-MD one committee at all. The preconditions have certainly been mademore difficult by the fact that the former pharmacogenetics working group has been embeddedin the C-MD and other topics such as liquid biopsy or MDX diagnostics of infectious diseases
can be addressed less effectively (because with less technical expertise).
Against this background, I think it makes sense to initiate a discussion that addresses the
splitting and reorientation of the committee. It might be useful to establish at least two working
groups/Committees. One working group/committee should address the molecular genetic
testing of infectious diseases and another group should address molecular genetic analysis in
the oncological context (NGS/ liquid profiling).

C-Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM)
Chair: Anja Kessler (DE)Term of reference 1
To support activities regarding Traceability in Laboratory Medicine, permitting IFCC tocontinue 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 andreference laboratories.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
A. Kessler participated in the annual meeting of JCTLM Executive Board. The results of theannual survey RELA for calibration laboratories are discussed and were among other factors
responsible for the decision of listing nominated calibration laboratories in the JCTLM Database.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
C-TLM will contribute to the next JCTLM Members’ and Stakeholders’ Meeting, Sevres,
December 2023. The title of the presentation will be “Higher order EQA schemes”.

Term of reference 2
To support reference laboratories in the context of complete reference systems (acceptedreference measurement procedures of higher order, reference materials, and referencelaboratories) by establishing an External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for referencelaboratories in order to monitor their competence.

29

List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The results of RELA 2022 have been published (http://www.dgkl-rfb.de:81). The large numberof participation (82 labs, 680 results) underlines the importance of this survey program for thecalibration laboratories. Participation is an essential part of both accreditation of the calibrationlaboratories and the listing of the services in the JCTLM database.
For HbA1c, a joint project between NMIs and C-TLM has been organized. The participants of
the CCQM comparison and RELA received the same samples. 20 labs in total provided results
which have to be evaluated and discussed. 10 used the IFCC HbA1c method and 10 used ID/
LC/MSMS. So, the comparison between different levels of the traceability hierarchy as well as
different reference measurement procedures is possible.
Discussions were held with the NMIs (PTB, LNE, LGC) in order to optimize cooperation andcomparison studies similar to the HbA1c project. RELA key measurands for hormones andenzymes were defined jointly for the next RELA surveys so that NMIs have enough time to plan
their measurement capacities for this.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
RELA 2023 has been announced. Due to logistical reasons the shipment has been in delay andthe deadline for submission of results will be postponed to mid of July 2023. The evaluation will
be published in August 2023.

Term of reference 3
To promote establishment and maintenance of IFCC reference laboratory networks forclinically relevant measurands (e.g. the IFCC HbA1c network).
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
As IFCC HbA1c Network we have been able to organise the standard two intercomparison
studies in 2022 (Kotten study). However, due to the COVID pandemic we had to postpone thecollection of blood and thus the study a couple of months like last year.
The approved network laboratories, one of the two candidate laboratories and the designatedcomparison method networks in the US and Japan participated.
The study is just finished. All approved network laboratories kept their approval. The participating
candidate lab (India) passed in both Kotten studies and according to the rules thus gained its
approval. We now have 20 approved network laboratories.
The master equations between the IFCC RMP and the designated comparison methods wereagain confirmed. The IFCC RMP SOP is validated for fresh whole blood only. To investigate
matrix effects, additional frozen and lyophilized samples were added to the 2022 study. The
results are under investigation and outcome will be reported next time.
The face-to-face meeting was scheduled to be held at IFCC Worldlab in Seoul in June. However,
because of the COVID rules for travelling to South Korea this meeting had to be cancelled. The
next network meeting will be held during IFCC WorldLab/EuroMedlab Rome, May 2023. For
educational activities the network is part of the IFCC C-EUBD. In June 2022 a symposium washeld at the IFCC WorldLab in Seoul where the lectures were given virtually.
EurA1c was organised for the sixth time in 2021. In this multinational project, in which thenational EQA organisers share two samples we had 25 EQA organisers from 21 countries
participating. Due to COVID-19 we saw a slight reduction in the number of laboratories but still
more than 4000 labs participated. Currently the 2022 trial is running. 26 EQA organisers from
21 countries registered for this year’s trial.
30

Report CDT Network
Carla Siebelder, Network Coordinator
The CDT network of reference laboratories yearly organises an intercomparison study. In 2022,
we had participation of four approved network laboratories and one of the two candidate
laboratories. One approved lab unfortunately had to stop operating the method and the second
candidate lab was not ready yet to participate. All approved labs kept their status of approval.
The candidate laboratory passed for the second time (in two consecutive studies) and according
to the rules of the network gained the status of approved lab.
Last week, on 19 October, the WG/network had its annual meeting at Schiphol airport where
the 2022 intercomparison study was discussed.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Expansion of the network by recruitment of new reference laboratories was also again discussed
and in 2023 a new candidate lab from the UK is expected to participate. Focus of the WG
continues to be on global implementation of standardised results and promotion of the CDT
IFCC test.

C-Reference Intervals and Decision Limits (C-RIDL)
Chair: Thomas Streichert (DE)NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report presented toSD-EC (October 2022)
They are working on three different aspects:• Characterise reference intervals in relation to their clinical validity where direct studies
are not possible.
• Continuous reference intervals reviewing methods and options for presentations.
• Pregnancy related reference ranges. They are reviewing the literature overview
and calculation by indirect methods.
• How can these be communicated to clinicians?
• There is discussion ongoing about global reference ranges.

C-Bone Metabolism (C-BM)
Chair: Etienne Cavalier (BE)Term of reference 1
PTH Standardization
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Presentation of the commutability results during the C-BM meeting in Munich.
• List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Participation to the Joint meeting on Reference Measurement Systems for PTH 1-84
(Paris, February 8th)31

• Build-up of a reference laboratory network with CHU LC-MS/MS and CDC HR-MS/MS(when available)• Publication of commutability study results.
• Seek opportunity to help in standardization of the peptide

Term of reference 2:
Biomarkers assays
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Regarding PINP:- A manuscript on the opportunity to harmonize PINP has been accepted in CCLM
- An equation allowing harmonization has been proposed- A commutability study has been performed- A study on biological variation of PINP and other markers on remaining samples from
EuBIVAS has been run, and a paper has been published.
- An Editorial on PINP has been written.
- A commutable calibrator has been defined.
• Regarding CTX:
- Manufacturers should work to improve the issues we observed on the multicentre
study. This is mandatory for the future of the marker.
- List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Regarding both CTX and PINP:- We are waiting for potential development of higher-order methods or for any
improvement in manufacturer’s standardization (IVDR?); Then we will work to help
improving the situation.
- We will discuss potential studies for other biomarkers during our meeting in Rome
- A review of the nomenclature of bone turnover biomarkers will be proposed

Term of reference 3
Vitamin D
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Preparation of the multicentre study to evaluate measurement uncertainty according
to our paper published in Nutrients.
• Collection of samples from pregnant women• Writing a paper on 24.25(OH)2D biological variation with EuBIVAS.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Publication of the paper on 24.25(OH)2D BV• Measure and analyse the results of the MU study• Complete the collection of pregnant women32

C-Standardisation of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT)
Chair: Dr. Hubert Vesper (US) / Dr. Katleen Van Uytfanghe (BE)Term of reference 1
Establish a system to maintain traceability of free thyroid hormone and TSH measurements.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Maintaining the reference system for fT4:
The main focus for this item is the creation of reference laboratory capacity and the coordinationof activities conducted by the reference laboratories to leverage synergies and minimize
duplication. Success is indicated in having a functional network of reference laboratories thatare active in standardizing FT4 measurements performed in clinical and research settings.
Furthermore, it is indicated in new organizations being interested in joining the network and in
publications being available or currently under review.
A network of reference laboratories was established consisting of the following laboratories:
Ref4U (Belgium), CDC Clinical Reference Laboratories (USA), Radboud University Medical
Center of Nijmegen (The Netherlands), and Reference Material Institute for Clinical ChemistryStandards (Japan). Interest for joining the network was indicated by 2 organizations located in
China and Australia. Communications are ongoing.
The Network completed a second method comparison study (MC2). Initial data evaluation
indicates good agreement among laboratories. This study also included characterization ofreference materials from the assists U.S. National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).
A final report and related publication is currently being created by Dr Van Uytfanghe.
While Ref4U is already registered in the JCTLM database, the CDC and Radboud laboratories
submitted manuscripts about their methods for publication, which is a required step for JCTLM
review. It is planned to have all reference methods and labs either be listed in the JCTLM
database or being ISO accredited.
CDC laboratory is providing reference measurements to the U.S. Collage of American
Pathologists Accuracy-based surveys. Furthermore, it is providing technical assistance tomanufacturers related to assay recalibration. CDC Clinical Standardization Programs put inplace a formal standardization program for FT4 with reference measurements linked to the
IFCC- C-STFT reference system.
CDC and Radboud University submitted manuscripts on their RMP and its application, theseare both in the second round of revision.
CDC and UGhent laboratories created manuscript on preanalytical parameters for FT4
measurements by mass spectrometry. Manuscript is submitted and under revision (second
round).
The laboratory at Radboud University provided measurements for FT4 in a research study toassess the impact of pregnancy on FT4 measurements done by immunoassay.

Maintaining the reference system for TSH:
The main focus on this item is on ensuring continuation and consistency of harmonization bycreating a follow-up panel for TSH. At the same time, the C-STFT is assisting with coordinating
harmonization activities conducted by manufacturers and national/regional organizations.
The study design to create and characterize the next TSH harmonization panel according toISO 21151 was completed, Ethics approvals and Material Transfer Agreements for collecting

33

and processing sera are in place. Specimen collection is ongoing with specimens already being
collected (about a 120 samples from different donors are collected to at this point).
Once sufficient samples were received, the study to characterize the follow up panel will start.
CDC Clinical Standardization Programs agreed to store and handle the samples for this study.
C-STFT provides assistance to NIBSC with characterization of new WHO International
standards material. The current WHO material is almost depleted. The material is needed tolink TSH measurements to International Units. Once linked to International Units, the assays
can be recalibrated to be linked to the IFCC C-STFT harmonization panel. NIBSC provided the
WHO International Standard, C-STFT follow up panels are provided by C-STFT, CDC ClinicalStandardization Programs is conducting the shipments and is assisting with data collection.
The characterization study is currently ongoing: 15 participants in 9 countries participate in thisstudy. Samples are planned to be shipped end of October/beginning of November 2022.
In practice, the above will be combined in a 2 phase study.
• In the first phase (2023 IFCC TSH Study Phase 1, 2023 ITS Phase 1), a set of samples
from the TSH follow-up panel, which was certified along with the initial TSH harmonization
panel (see DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2016.269456) will be measured. In addition, someampules of the current 3rd WHO International Standard for human TSH (81/565) and thecandidate 4th WHO International Standard for human TSH (81/615) will be measured.
These measurement haven been done; all participants have reported their results. Dataanalysis is ongoing and will be discussed at the next C-STFT meeting in May 2023.
• The TSH follow-up panel is intended to be used to recalibrate your assay against its
targets. Once your assay is recalibrated, values are assigned to the 3rd TSH harmonization
panel, which will be provided in a second shipment. The work conducted in the second
shipment is considered phase 2 of the 2023 IFCC TSH Study (2023 ITS Phase 2) and will
be conducted in the second half of 2023.
TSH harmonization based on the IFCC C-STFT reference system is officially implemented
in Japan and assay manufacturers are now using the harmonization panel to adjust assay
calibration.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Formalize the operational rules for the fT4 network of reference laboratories.
This includes network protocols and ISO compliant SOPs.
• Continue to build laboratory capacity by supporting laboratories with establishingreference measurement procedures• Continue support to develop and characterize reference materials developedby metrological organizations• Establish new follow-up harmonization panel for TSH and explore developmentof formal matrix-based reference materials for TSH

Term of reference 2
Coordinate programs to evaluate free thyroid and TSH assays with regards to their analytical
performance.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Coordinate national/regional programs related to FT4 standardization and TSH harmonization
The C-STFT strategy is to ensure consistent calibration to the IFCC C-STFT system globally andto coordinate their implementation on a national/regional level. This allows regional and national
34

organizations to customize activities to meet regional needs and requirements as outlined in
relevant regulations and clinical practice guidelines (“Calibrate globally – Implement locally”).
B1: FT4
CDC Clinical Standardization Programs launched in 2021 a new program to standardize
FT4 measurements. CDC ensures that the program is linked to the IFCC C-STFT by being a
successful member of the reference laboratory network.
CDC Clinical Standardization Programs, as part of its internal program requirements, conducted
an interlaboratory comparison study of FT4 and TSH assays in 2022. FT4 measurements werecompared to the IFCC reference method operated at CDC. Results were presented at scientificmeetings and made available to the IFCC C-STFT.
Japan is working on a national program to standardize FT4 measurements. Relevant stakeholders
are working with the Japanese reference laboratory.
Accuracy-based EQA providers in the Netherlands and the U.S. use the IFCC C-STFT referencelaboratory network for fT4 for target value assignments.
B2: TSHThe TSH harmonization in Japan is linked to the IFCC C-STFT harmonization panel. Harmonizedmeasurement are now used in patient care.
Reference material providers such as NIBSC (UK) and NIST (USA) collaborate with the IFCC
C-STFCT reference system for reference material characterization.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Assist with the development and establishment of national/regional programs to standardize/harmonize TSH and FT4 through formal standardization programs and/or by supporting
accuracy-based EQA programs.
Ensure national/regional efforts are linked to the IFCC C-STFT reference system by making thatsystem available to those efforts

Term of reference 3
Develop reference intervals for free thyroid hormones and TSH.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
IFCC C-STFT is supporting the generation of regional/local reference intervals using
methodologies that are standardized/harmonized to the IFCC C-STFT reference system.
Because harmonized and standardized assays have not been available until recently. The
development of reference intervals linked to the C-STFT reference system has been slow.
The reference intervals established in Japan as part of TSH harmonization are as of 2021
officially been used.
CDC is working with national surveys and other studies to assess the feasibility for establishingreference interval in the U.S. population.
C-STFT continues communications with researchers to assess the possibility of using existing
study and patient data as well as analysing samples in new reference interval studies.

35

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Coordinate with principal investigators and organizations work related to developing reference
intervals to ensure new reference intervals are generated with standardized and harmonizedassays. Continue to try to work with the IFCC C-RIDL.

Term of reference 4
Liaise with key stakeholders to promote the use of the standardized assays in routine
clinical practice and public health, to ensure analytical performance requirements meetclinical needs, and to help with developing and establishing reference intervals.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• The approach for this task is to have C-STFT members inform stakeholders about
C-STFT activities and to assist stakeholders with replicating the information in an
audience appropriate manner.
• Dr Van Uytfanghe represents the C-STFT in an American Thyroid Association (ATA)
working group that prepares a manuscript about current practices on thyroid hormone
measurements. Manuscript currently under internal review• Dr Vesper presented the work of the IFCC C-STFT at the annual ATA meeting
October 2022. As a result, the ATA is considering providing more information aboutstandardization to its membership.
• Dr Vesper presented the work of IFCC C-STFT at the annual meeting of the Partnershipfor the Accurate Testing of Hormones, a stakeholder organization promoting
standardization of hormones. PATH will support standardization of thyroid function tests
to the IFCC C-STFT reference system.
• Dr Danilenko provided an update about the IFCC reference method, pre-analytical
criteria and the interlaboratory comparison study at the CDC Form in conjunction withthe annual AACC meeting Chicago July 2022
• Dr Van Uytfanghe presented the work of IFCC C-STFT at the Annual Meeting of theEuropean Thyroid Association in September 2022
• Dr Van Uytfanghe presented the work of IFCC C-STFT at the “PAOKC schildklier”(post academic continuing education) from the Dutch Society of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine• Dr Van Uytfanghe maintained and updated the IFCC C-STFT website.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Educate stakeholders, such as those conducting reference interval studies, about theimportance of using standardized/harmonized assays. This is achieved by reaching out
to principal investigators of large epidemiological studies and those using data form
electronic health records.
• Continue to work with professional organizations such as the ATA to increase awarenessabout the importance of standardization in patient care and public health.
This is achieved by publishing and continuing the work conducted by the ATA working
group mentioned above.
• Continue to publish and present work conducted by IFCC C-STFT members and otherorganizations performing or supporting work of thyroid function test standardization.
This is achieved by conducting scientific sessions at national meetings such as the
AACC and other organizations.
• Update website to better communicate changes associated with fT4 standardizing and
TSH harmonization.
36

Additional planned activities
Follow-up on suggestions by stakeholders to standardize or harmonize thyroid antibodies. Thisis done by conducting a feasibility assessment. Promote and support research to develop newreference materials and methods for thyroid hormones and antibodies.

WORKING GROUP
WG-Standardization of Haemoglobin A2 (WG-SHbA2)
Chair: Andrea Mosca (IT)Joint Working Group with ICSH (International Council for Standardization in Haematology)
Terms of reference
To promote the standardization of haemoglobin A2 measurement through the definitionof an international reference system, including a reference measurement procedure andprimary and secondary reference materials.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The lyophilized materials with normal and elevated level of HbA2 prepared by the EU-JRC in
July 2021 (ERM DA-485/IFCC and ERM DA-486/IFCC) have been tested for homogeneity andshort-term stability. The results were satisfactory. Details will be presented in the final report
distributed with the CRMs.
The commutability of these materials has been studied by an ad-hoc protocol with 9 different
laboratory methods. Results by three Bio-Rad Laboratory methods (D10, Variant II beta-thaland Variant II dual kit), one Helena method (V8 ultrascreen) and one Trinity method (PremierHR) obtained between August and November 2022 seemed to indicate good commutability of
the above-mentioned materials. Details will be presented in the final report distributed with the
CRMs.
Value assignment of the two ERM materials was planned but not accomplished due to problems
with Chinese customs for shipping under dry ice the necessary reagents, and because one of
the two Reference laboratories in China was not available to run the method due to otherpriorities related to COVID pandemic.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• To complete the commutability study of the two ERMs materials.
• To complete the activities to list the RMP for HbA2 in the JCTLM database.
• To assign the target values to the ERMs materials by running four independent analyticalruns in the two German laboratories, in order to avoid shipping the reagents to China.

37

WG-Standardization of Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (WG-CDT)
Chair: Jean Deenmamode (UK)
Term of reference 1
Promoting the use of the HPLC reference measurement procedure (RMP) as the accuracy
base for CDT test standardisation
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Italian laboratory successfully completed two rounds of the yearly IFCC CDT blind study
and was fully approved as IFCC CDT network laboratory in Oct 2022.
• Active members of the CDT WG contacted local QA organisers, as well as distributors
and HPLC manufacturers operating in the diagnostics environment to seek potential
interested laboratories from different countries.
• The WG members planned to meet with such interested parties via video callor, if permitted, face to face
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• All active members will continue discussion and support laboratories interested
in establishing the HPLC reference method.
• UK WG member in active collaboration with a private UK laboratory in re-establishinga CDT service comprising of two commercial platforms and the HPLC reference
method.

Term of reference 2
Maintaining sustainability of an international network of laboratories
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Sustainability and performance of network laboratories and participating commercial
manufacturers are assessed by the yearly distribution of IFCC calibrators, controls andblind samples from the MCA Winterswijk NL laboratory overseen by the IFCC network
coordinator, Carla Siebelder.
• Laboratory performance is assessed on a pass/fail criterion and HPLC RMP.
• Performance results are also further scrutinised by Drs J. Wielders and F Schellenberg.
• The 2022 Cycle took place with participants’ results submitted by. Performance andparticipation were presented and discussed during the CDT WG’s annual meeting in
Schiphol on 19th Oct 2022.
• JW and FS reviewed chromatographic patterns submitted.
• There were five successful IFCC networked laboratories this year, with one manufacturer
not participating this time and another manufacturer working towards improving theirperformance.
• Manufacturers’ contribution towards this study do not form part of the CDT WG’s funds.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Cycle of blind IFCC samples will take place during spring 2023, following prior invitation which
will be sent to all prospective participants (network labs and manufacturers). Results will bepresented and discussed during the WG CDT meeting on 21st May 2023.

38

Term of reference 3
Supporting the worldwide standardisation of commercial methods against the RMP
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Most participating commercial CDT manufacturers achieved positive results towards
CDTIFCC and have launched respective assays.
• A further CDT manufacturer participated in the standardisation process and did notaccomplish the required results with the 2022 blind study.
• While WG members have been in active discussion and support with the manufacturer
towards reviewing their approach to improve alignment closer to CDTIFCC• List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Continue to assist the remaining commercial participants in successfully achieving
the CDTIFCC goal. Monitor performance and adherence.
• The WG will endeavour to support the definitive transition from classical CDT
to CDTIFCC.

Term of reference 4
Offering consultation concerning use of biomarkers of alcoholism towards national andinternational agencies
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Generally, a local or extended activity initiated primarily by a member of the WG. The process
has been in place with better success in Sweden and the Netherlands. Similar efforts areprogress in the UK with certain agencies, aviation Medicine and government advisors abroad.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
To maintain the above activities ongoing in other countries
Additional Information:
Two further terms:
Providing scientific support for the production and delivery of authorised RMP
Actively supporting other sites interested towards introducing the RMP as part of the network
laboratories
Supporting the development of guidelines for clinical use of CDT assays
Work in progress
JCTLM nomination
Work in progress, mediated by Steven Westwood and overseen by C.Cobbaert andpreviously, P.GiIllery
WG Membership
Cas Weykamp retired. from the CDT WG on 31Dec21.
Franco Tagliaro (IT) was invited to join the CDT WG during the Schiphol CDT meeting on 19th
Oct 2022.
Comment from WG Chair:• Standardisation and establishment of CDT-IFCC has been accomplished.
• The WG’s function was maintained to provide support for one or two manufacturers stillworking towards standardisation.

39• JCTLM matters are still in progress through mediation (mediator sadly experienced
unexpected double bereavement during summer 2022).
• Most of the members in the current WG have either fully or part retired from their actual
employment roles and not fully attached to an active laboratory.
• Upon eventual dissolution of the CDT WG (by the Scientific Division), an advisory
expert group (previous + current WG members) working together with the IFCC QA
coordinators had previously been proposed to maintain the standards achieved andcontinuity of the successful yearly blind studies.
• The WG has worked for many years with its remaining allocated funds, with no further
contributions from any other sources.

WG-Standardization of Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein A (WG-PAPP A)
Chair: Saara Wittfooth (FI) (Lennart Friis-Hansen (DK) new Chair 2022-)
NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report presented toSD-EC (October 2022).
Comments from Saara Wittfooth:Lennart Friis-Hansen is the chair of WG-PAPP-A currently, but I can inform you, that WGPAPP-A is proceeding with the Phase 4 studies to confirm commutability of the NIST SRM1949
as the reference material for PAPP-A and for assigning PAPP-A value for this material. Most
companies have already received the materials and all of them should report the results back to
me in December. The results should be available by the end of this year. I will invoice the costs
related to Phase 4 work in my laboratory to IFCC in November (as set forth in the agreement
between my university and IFCC).
It has previously been anticipated that this Working Group would cease to be after this year.
In adherence to this aim, the practical goals (Phase 4 results) are to be achieved by the endof the year. However, I assume there would still be funds left (around 20 000 EUR) dedicatedto this WG and EC should probably consider how to deal with this situation. There have been
no publications of this WG over the years it has existed and it would be nice to have the final
results reported at the end. But we can probably do that next year even though the WG isfinished. A closing meeting of the WG in Rome EuroMedLab 2023 would be nice, but I will
leave this to your and Lennart’s consideration, as this would probably then require further
extension of the WG.

WG – Standardization of Albumin Assay in Urine (WG-SAU)
Chair: Jesse Seegmiller (US)This WG is a joint WG between IFCC and NIDDKTerm of reference 1
Perform comparison studies on 10 urine specimens for urine albumin using the reference
measurement procedures from Mayo Clinic (LC-MS/MS), NIST (LC-MS/MS), Singapore (LCMS/MS) and the University of Minnesota Advanced Research and Diagnostic Laboratory(LC-MS/MS).

40

List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Agreement of the analysis protocol and plans to ship specimens out in 2023 to the othercandidate reference laboratories. Agreement on specimen reporting form.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Specimens will be shared with the laboratories. All laboratories with capabilities will run thespecimens and report back to the LWG with the reporting form. Data will be reviewed, discussed
and published. After completion, data will be submitted to the Joint Committee for Traceabilityin Laboratory Medicine for potential acceptance as candidate reference procedures.

WG-Growth Hormone (WG-hGH)
Chair: Michel Vos (NL)NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report (PowerPoint)presented to SD-EC (October 2022)
GH sample collection protocol required for inter-assay comparison
Eef Lentjes (past chair) has clearance from local Medical Ethical Assessment Committee (METC)
•
•
•
•
•

Can already start collecting
50-60 samples collected (children + adults)
0-60mU/L
Required volume (four main immunoassays)
2.5mL required for duplo run

Michel Vos (current chair) will ask for clearance from local METC
• Clearance end of februari 2022
• Start collection samples all GH orders in collaboration with clinicians
Key-comparison CCQM Cristian Arsene
Serum pool sample shipped• Results end of summer returned• Use results for selecting reference method for GH• Sample shipped to Eef for comparison different immunoassays
Michel will contact CCQM for options on collaboration
Healthy volunteers collection on-hold (200mL serum)• Probably in between now and July 2022 new agreement with sport medicine
department
Status sample collection• UMCG sample collection starting from 16 years onwards.
• Informed consent required, currently setting up procedure with clinic.
• All patients with GH order (probably including endocrine stimulation) will be ask
to donate extra tube, followed by selection of usable samples.
• UMCU sample collection of endocrine stimulation testing, total of 25 at the moment.
• Samples per patient will be pooled to get large enough volume• Total minimal volume required 2.5mL, preferably more if samples have to be measured
in duplicate (~4mL)• 4-5mL required
41

Status key comparison GH sample within CCQM
• CCQM labs + immunoassays through Eef and LC-MS/MS method including antibodypull down through Michel• Comparison between CCQM LC-MS/MS methods, Siemens, Roche, IDS, Diasorin,
Beckman Coulter.
• No Beckman GH assay running in Netherlands, R&D site in France could analyse
samples (Jean-Sebastien asks for possibility at R&D site)
Network of reference labs
• Cristian will make agenda point at next CCMQ meeting of possibility CCQM labs serving
as reference lab.
Funding for main comparison• In part funding available from Dutch organization for Clinical Chemistry / SKML
• Michel will ask LBA representatives for possibilities for funding of this projectStatus collection of calibrator material (200mL serum per person)• Eef: collection requires setting up new collaboration with sports medicine department,
expected to start Q1 2023
• Michel offers to include UMCG as additional site for collection in healthy volunteers• Status patient material collection for main comparison• Approximatelly 40 samples with enough volume• Eef will provide protocol for collection so that work group members can help withcollection at local sites• CCQM comparison for possible RMP

WG-Standardization of Insulin Assays (WG-SIA)
Chair: Jesse Seegmiller and Michael Steffes (US)Terms of Reference
To develop a traceability chain for the standardization of insulin
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
We are developing our insulin LC-MS assay. Several mass spectrometry techniques were
examined that include analyses of intact insulin, intact A- and B-chains analysis, and peptides
from enzymatic digestion. We have currently chosen the last approach. Despite some technicalprogress we are experiencing an unsatisfactory sensitivity for patient samples. Further
optimization experiments are ongoing for the ion exchange separation and digestion steps toimprove recovery. To establish a proper traceability chain, insulin-labelled internal standard andcertified reference material will be further examined.
We had already collected Secondary Reference Materials (single donor and pooled serum) for
C-peptide standardization that we also intend to use for this insulin standardization project. We
planned a study to send 20 of these samples to manufacturers (and a few labs using LC/MS) foranalysis of insulin and c-peptide. After receiving manufacturers’ results, we will send them our
c-peptide Reference Method results as well as results from the University of Washington LC/
MS insulin method (not a reference method). Then we will send a different set of 20 samples
for them to analyse after recalibrating their assays based on the relationship from the original
set of 20 samples (their method vs LC/MS). This study began in January 2023 with shipmentof samples to 9 manufacturers and 2 laboratories.

42

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
In 2023 we plan to continue work on the insulin Reference Method with the intention of increasing
sensitivity.
We will continue our study with manufacturers. The short-term goal will be to have manufacturers
share the relationships between their method and final Reference Methods with their customers.
This can be done with a white paper that describes the standardization process and gives a
conversion equation to users. Our long-term goal is still to have them actually recalibrate
their methods and include this recalibration in their IFU so that laboratories can report resultscomparable to Reference Method results. This will reduce variability among methods/labs.

43

WG-Standardization of Troponin I (WG-TNI)
Chair: Robert H. Christenson (US)Term of reference 1
Development of a candidate secondary reference measurement procedure and candidate
secondary reference material for cardiac troponin I (cTnI)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Complete collection of high cTnI samples from myocardial infarction (MI) subjects
for producing the commutable cardiac troponin I (cTnI) reference material (RM) 8121.
• Complete collection of samples from normal healthy males and females for blending
with the high cTnI samples and produce Level A, Level B, Level C and Level D of thecommutable RM 8121.
• Test all samples from MI patients and normal healthy samples for Hepatitis A, B, C
and HIV• Assure all samples for producing cTnI RM 8121 are not infectious.
• List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• I plan to work with the new chair of WG-TNI to assign high sensitivity cTnI values
to RM 8121.

Term of reference 2
Testing for cTnI standardization and clinical validation by comparison with validated
commercial assays in a round robin study
List 2022 & early 2023 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
About 2 years ago I was successful in obtaining a grant from the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) to complete production of the commutable cTnI RM 8121. By way ofreview, the final design for RM 8121 is a set of four reference samples with the increasing cTnI
estimated values in the ranges and number of vials as follows.
1. Level A = 20 ng/L (range 10 ng/L to 30 ng/L); 2500 - 4000 vials- Level A = LOQ (2.6 ng/L) < Level A < female 99th percentile (34 ng/L)
2. Level B = 65 ng/L (range 50 ng/L to 80 ng/L); 2500 - 4000 vials- Level B = male 99th percentile (53 ng/L) +~ 20%
3. Level C = 265 ng/L (range 220 ng/L to 310 ng/L); 2500 - 4000 vials- Level C = male 99th percentile (53 ng/L) * 5
4. Level D = 3500 ng/L (range 3000 ng/L to 4000 ng/L); 2500 - 4000 vials- Level D = female 99th percentile (34 ng/L) * 100
All of the high cTnI and samples from healthy individuals were collected by my group at Universityof Maryland School of Medicine under an IRB approved protocol. Samples were also collectedfrom normal healthy volunteers for blending with the elevated cTnI samples to produce Levels
A-D that comprise RM 8121.
NIST issued a ‘request for proposal’ for blending the high cTnI samples with the material fromhealthy individuals, to form the 4 Levels, A-D above for RM 8121. The contract also included
pipetting the blended materials into freezer vials in an amount of 0.71 mL each. Solomon
Park Research Laboratories, Inc., 685 S. 152nd Street, Burien, Washington 98148 was awarded
the contract. The Solomon group is very experienced and has made several other referencematerials for NIST and also for the CDC here in the US.

44

In January, the normal healthy samples (~10 Litres) were shipped on dry ice to Solomon Park
Research Laboratories by UPS. As the high cTnI samples took me over three years to collect,
I was reticent to ship these materials by a commercial carrier. For this reason, I had carried thefrozen high cTnI pool to Burien, Washington myself. Also, Drs. Mark Lowenthal from NIST and,Show-Hong Duh my colleague from Univ of Maryland, travelled with me from Baltimore, MD
to Burien, WA to monitor production of RM 8121 and assure that the Levels A-D were within
the ranges listed above. For this purpose, through Dr Robert Payne at Siemens I had arranged
with a local hospital, Valley Medical Center, to conduct high-sensitivity cTnI measurements at
critical times during thawing of the high cTnI and healthy samples, blending to achieve the cTnI
concentrations for Levels A-D and aliquoting processes for the production of the commutable
RM 8121. This testing was completed with the Atellica IM TnIH system (Siemens) at Valley
Medical Center. To assure quality measurements, Dr Robert Payne provided sets of materials
that the manufacturer uses to assure that the reagent lot to reagent lot variation is within
their and their FDA’s specifications. We measured these materials on Valley Medical Center’s
instrumentation with each run to assure the cTnI values for RM 8121 would be accurate. During
the production of RM 8121 I couriered samples from the Solomon facility to Valley Medical
Center for measurements. The Siemens materials and the usual controls used at the Valley
Medical Center were included with each run of measurements.
The process of producing RM 8121 stared the first week of February and took 3 days. During
this time Drs. Lowenthal, Duh and myself stayed in Burien, WA to assist with decisions and thehs-TnI measurements to assure quality and values of the Levels A-D were within the specified
values.
The outcome was over 3000 vials of material for each of the four concentration Levels of RM
8121, over 12000 vials in all.
The hs-cTnI concentrations for each sample member of RM 8121 are as follows.
• Sample A 17.1 ng/L (target range was: 10 ng/L to 30 ng/L)• Sample B 76.6 ng/L (target range was: 50 ng/L to 80 ng/L)• Sample C 299 ng/L (target range was: 220 ng/L to 310 ng/L)• Sample D 3427 ng/L (target range was: 3000 ng/L to 4000 ng/L)
The over 3000 freezer vials for samples for each Level A-D, each containing 0.71 mL of RM
8121 were shipped to NIST, and arrived safely for storage and eventual distribution worldwide
once official value assignment is completed. Dr Lowenthal, who is a senior investigator at
NIST, reported that NIST was very pleased with the outcome of our project, for both the cTnI
concentrations Levels A-D made and the number of vials at each level- total 12,000.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• We had an abstract at the AACC Annual Meeting in 2022 that had an update of theRM 8121 project.
• We submitted an abstract for presentation of the creation of Levels A-D of RM 8121
at the 2023 AACC Annual Meeting and Exposition in Anaheim in July, 2023. (Please see
the attached Abstract.)• We will conduct assignment of high-sensitivity cTnI values for Levels A-D of RM 8121,
in accordance with an experimental design that will be provided by NIST scientific staff.
• We will compose a manuscript on how the commutable RM 8121 for hs-cTnI was
produced. This manuscript will be submitted to the IFCC-SD prior to submission for
publication.
• We will propose experiments for RM 8121 at the WG-TNI meeting to be held at theRoma 2021 meeting for discussion. We anticipate making RM 8121 available
to stakeholders in the field through NIST’s reference material program.

45

Comment from Chair SD:• This fabulous expedition gave birth to a 4-level commutable RM 8121.
• Dr Christenson and colleagues made a large effort to accomplish this.
• All cTnI-marketing companies and end-users will in the end have benefit from thisaccomplishment as it is an essential first step in attempts to harmonize cTnI assays.
• The independent value assignment by NIST still has to be realized.
• With Claudia Swart as chair from Jan 2023 and Rob Christenson as expert consultant
the establishment of a robust Reference Measurement Procedure and, in the end, of afull Reference Measurement System will hopefully be the next step and ultimate goal tobe accomplished by this WG.

WG-CSF Proteins (WG-CSF)
Chair: Johan Gobom (SE)NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report presented
to SD-EC.
Change of name requested by the Chair: “Working Group for Biomarkers
of Neurodegenerative Diseases

WG – Commutability in Metrological Traceability (WG-CMT) 		
Chair: Greg Miller (US)Term of reference 1
Advise IFCC Committees and Working Groups on how to assess the commutabilityof materials on which they are working.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• No requests for advice were received in 2022.
• List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• None unless a request is received.

Term of reference 2
Establish procedures to use commutable reference materials, and to correct
for non-commutability bias, in a metrological traceability hierarchy.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Paper published: Miller WG, Greenberg, N, Panteghini M, Budd JR, Johansen JV on behalf of theInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Working Groupon Commutability in Metrological Traceability. Guidance on which calibrators in a metrologicallytraceable calibration hierarchy must be commutable with clinical samples. Clin Chem 2023;
69:228-38.

46

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
none; completed.

Term of reference 3
Establish how to define the criterion for acceptable commutability that is required for agiven reference material, taking into account its intended use in a metrological traceability
hierarchy or for surveillance of harmonization/standardization status of results fromdifferent measurement procedures.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Progress to complete 2 manuscripts.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Two manuscripts will be submitted for publication in 2023.
1. “Recommendations for setting a criterion for assessing commutability of secondary
calibrator certified reference materials” has completed internal reviews and is readyto submit.
2. “Recommendations for setting a criterion for assessing commutability of sample
materials used in external quality assessment/proficiency testing schemes” is nearing
completion to submit for internal review.

Term of reference 4
Provide recommendations on verifying commutability for replacement batches of areference material.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Not started.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Began this activity at a meeting on 8 March 2023.

WG - Immunosuppressive Drugs (WG-ID)		
Chair: Christoph Seger (CH)NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report presented toSD-EC (October 2023)
Comments by Christoph Seger
In my opinion we have three general issues to clarify for type A (well definable / single molecular
structure) analytes
Some of the commercial LC-MS assays are not traceable to highest order and the companies
refuse to take up responsibility
47

Some immunoassays are that badly set up (insufficient measurand definition), that highest orderreference materials are NOT commutable if patient materials are measured. Consequently, suchassays are incomparable to LC-MS assays, they are an individual traceability entity.
The commutability concept is not well defined, since assays which are very precise have tighter
acceptance limits for materials than assays which are not that precise. This must not be thegoal of the regulatory framework.
Taken together, I must state, that even in small molecule analysis it is not an easy task to makelaboratory medicine measurements traceable in strictly metrological terms. We cannot evenclarify unequivocally, if such an undertaking / burden is clinically needed. In my opinion times
have come to re-thin which branches of laboratory medicine investigations / analyses are fitting
into the concept of metrological traceability and which are not.

WG - Apolipoproteins by Mass Spectrometry (WG-APO MS)
Chair: Christa Cobbaert (NL)
Term of reference 1
To achieve standardization of a panel of clinically relevant serum apolipoproteins (apo)A-I, B, C-I, C-II, C-III, E and apo (a) (including qualitative phenotyping where needed).
Standardization is done in such a way that measurement results are traceable to SI as
outlined in ISO 17511. Other traceability chains will be used in cases where traceability to
SI cannot be achieved.
2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Reference measurement procedure.
The three calibration labs held multiple round of ring trials to assess their current harmonization
status. Current results are promising, with median interlaboratory CVs below the target for
all apolipoproteins, except apo(a). Further efforts to identify sources of imprecision for apo(a)between the laboratories are ongoing.
Experiments have been performed to evaluate equimolar digestion of apo(a). The initial results
are promising, with the expected yield provided by recombinant materials, as well as the lackof potential missed cleavages in an untargeted bottom-up proteomics strategy. Final proof ofequimolar digestion will be accomplished once peptide-based calibration is established.
Experiments have been initiated to develop a peptide-based calibration strategy for the sevenapolipoproteins. However, initial attempts have not resulted in a stable calibration curve yet.
Further effort is now made to assess the optimal conditions for peptide solubility to ensure
accurate representation of the peptide concentration in the calibration samples. Moreover, thelinearity of peptide-based calibration is assessed to evaluate requirements for accurate valuetransfer to the secondary reference materials.
The cRMP laboratories were involved in the suitability assessment for apo(a) secondary referencematerials of sera from 60 donors. Moreover, samples from CDC LSP were assessed for theirapo(a), apoA-I and apoB content to aid in standardization of these parameters, and provide initialmaterials for assessment of the transition to the new reference measurement system.

48

Reference materials.
All peptides that are to serve as reference materials have been procured and delivered. Initialamino acid analysis has been performed on all peptides, as well as initial purity assessment.
Full purity assessment is ongoing for two apo(a) peptides. For the other apolipoproteins, thepeptide selection is ongoing. Purity of the primary peptide materials is high, and therefore it isanticipated that not much effort has to be put into analysis of impurities.
Sera from 60 donors have been screened for apo(a) concentration through the cRMP as wellas one immunoassay (ITA, Roche Tinaquant LPA2). Moreover, these samples were typed fortheir number of KIV-2 repeats. Based on their characteristics, donors could be subdivided
into five groups, each group to produce one pooled secondary reference material. Further
effort is ongoing for the production of two additional pools with higher apo(a) concentrations>250 nmol/L.
Planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A first draft of a manuscript on the level of harmonization between the calibration laboratories
is anticipated by the end of Q1 2023.
A calibration strategy for apo(a), traceable to SI units is anticipated by the end of April 2023;
analytical validation will be performed before July 2023.
The effects of freezing and thawing on both IA and cRMP for apo(a) will be assessed in Q1 2023.
Measurement of 35 clinical samples for CDC LSP on apo(a), A-I and B will be performed in
Q1 2023.
A first commutability assessment for apolipoproteins A-I and B has been initiated and will befinalized before the end of May 2023 by JRC.
Secondary reference materials for apo(a) should be delivered to WG in 2023; value assignmentis envisioned for Q3-4 2023.

Term of reference 2
To evaluate clinical performance and clinical utility of serum apolipoprotein panel(s) for
CVD risk stratification and treatment, in comparison to or together with contemporary
blood lipids.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
In an LUMC-initiated and led retrospective RCT, serum apolipoproteins have been quantified
in 23.500 samples of individuals at risk for CVD at the LUMC (baseline and after 4 months of
PCSK9 inhibition on top of statins). Follow-up of the individuals with respect to cardiovascularoutcome is available.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Once all results are reported, the data will be merged to assess the value of apolipoproteins for
precision CVD risk assessment. A detailed analysis plan has been made with collaboration ofan experienced methodologist.

49

Additional information
LNE and LUMC were involved in the EU funding programme CardioMET1. A final report has
been prepared in January 2023. Claudia Swart from PTB is the PI of the entire project on setting
up reference measurement infrastructure for cardiac markers.
As per January 2023, chairmanship of the working group is transferred from Prof Cobbaert to
Dr Ruhaak for an envisioned 2 to 3 more years to get the full RMS established. Prof Cobbaert,currently IFCC SD chair, stays as expert/consultant in the APO MS standardization WG.
Comment by WG Chair
The working group functions effectively; however, the aims are ambitious and the progressis dependent on the interplay of all stakeholders, especially the three calibration labs andreference material provider JRC and Solomon Park for timely delivering the sera of the selecteddonors. The group is committed to deliver the RMS for apo(a) standardization in 2023. RMS’s
for apos AI and B should also be finalized in 2023, while Apo C and E are envisioned in 2024.
For JCTLM endorsement much more has to be done; it is the striving to respond to the JCTLM
call for nominations by Q1 2024 in order to get the RMS for apo(a) -and hopefully also for apoA-I
and apoB.
Additional guidance and educational tools regarding a successful and well planned joint
trajectory to go through IFCC and JCTLM endorsement is welcomed. A JCTLM Task Groupon Knowledge Transfer in which experienced IFCC representative(s) are represented, will beestablished in Q1 2023; the goals are to develop a checklist and educational tools to train chairsof IFCC WGs/Cs early in the standardization/ harmonization trajectories about the peculiarities
and essential steps to be taken for getting both IFCC and subsequently JCTLM endorsement.

WG – Pancreatic Enzymes (WG-PE)
Chair: Denis Grote-Koska (DE)Term of reference 1
Development of a primary reference method for pancreatic amylase in serum
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Grote-Koska (Hannover, Germany) designed and performed experiments to determine stabilityof a central PAMY reagent solution, which is the base of the reference measurement procedurefor PAMY, as well as method comparisons to the RMP. The latter were performed in Hannover(Grote-Koska) and Milano (I. Infusino, M. Panteghini) on routine methods of Roche Diagnostics
and Abbott Diagnostics, respectively. For this purpose, native sera were collected and preparedat the Hannover Medical School (MHH).
An international survey was performed at the end of 2021 to figure out the usage of totalamylase, lipase and pancreatic amylase as biomarkers in routine laboratories. The evaluation
was performed in 2022. Briefly, 20 % of the participating labs offer pancreatic amylase. 80 %offer lipase. Total amylase is measured at 73 % of the participants of the survey.
Grote-Koska has contacted the chair of C-TLM (A. Keßler) to initiate the PT scheme of PAMY
for the first time at RELA 2023.

50

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Reference range determination – two reference laboratories perform measurements on a healthy
population. Comparison to routine method of one manufacturer regarding those samples.
Presentation of the RMP to certain IVD manufacturers and publication as Part 8: IFCC primaryreference measurement procedure of enzymes.

Term of reference 2
Support EC-JRC (Joint Research Centre, Directorate F – Health, Consumers and Reference
Materials, formerly IRMM) in studies and certification of reference materials for enzymes
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
In 2022 stability studies of the ERM reference materials ERM AD457/IFCC, AD452/IFCC, andAD456/IFCC (AST, GGT and Amylase) were supported from the RfB calibration laboratory in
Hannover for EC-JRC (Grote-Koska).
Further, the reference laboratory participated in the commutability study of AST candidatereference materials.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Measurements for the commutability study of ALP candidate reference materials are scheduled.

WG - Faecal Immunochemical Testing (WG-FIT)
Chair: Sally Claire Benton (UK)
Term of reference 1
To harmonise and/or standardise analysis of haemoglobin in faecal samples byimmunochemistry (FIT)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
We continue to make progress on this challenging area. In 2022 we completed a study that
aimed to quantify the bias and correlation between four FIT systems We also assessed thecommutability of seven candidate reference materials.
Conclusions: The use of a common threshold for all FIT systems is currently not possible dueto the presence of a proportional bias. We have identified potential commutable RMs to taketo further studies on the production of a common calibrator, with the aim being to reduce theanalytical bias observed on different FIT systems.
The results were shared with all FIT-WG members and manufacturers and a meeting held todiscuss these.
A manuscript has been written and submitted for publication reporting these results. It wasreviewed and approved by the IFCC scientific division before submission as well as being
approved by the FIT-WG. First author was Liesbet Deprez.
We are now on to the next stage of this project and have just completed linearity experimentson all 4 FIT systems included in the study. We plan to meet in person at Euromedlab in Romein May to discuss these results and plan the next stages.
51

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue with the harmonisation study work. Protocols for this are being drafted by Liesbet
Deprez from the EU reference lab in Geel with expert input from Marieke Frsa and Elin van Der
Hagan from Netherlands. The research team at the bowel cancer hub in Guildford are carryingout the analytical work. This is being led by Carolyn Piggott with support Shane O’Driscoll.
Sally Benton continues to oversee the project

Term of reference 2
To establish EQA and 3rd party IQC programmes
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
No progress made in 2022
List planned activities in 2031 for this Term of Reference
There is continued interest in this by members of the FIT-WG and we will aim to engage
with EQA companies to obtain guidance on requirements in terms of EQA to help inform therecommendations formed from the group over the coming months.
Additional comments
The continued focus of the group this year has been on the harmonisation study. This is achallenging study analytically – largely because of the instability of Hb in a faecal matrix and thechallenges associated with the faecal matrix including sample heterogeneity.
There have been on-going virtual meetings with a smaller sub-group of the IFCC FIT-WG who
have been working on the harmonisation study. This includes members from the JRC EU
laboratory in Belgium who have provided expertise on standardisation of methods, the bowel
cancer screening research lab in Guildford, UK who have carried out the analytical work for the
standardisation study and experts in commutability from the Netherlands.
Comments from WG Chair
The group works effectively. We are possibly taking more time than ideal to work through our
objectives. This is because we are all doing the IFCC FIT-WG work in addition to our routine jobs.
However, all the group are engaged, we continue to have fantastic attendance at meetings andalways receive feedback in relation to projects when requested by the group.
The attendance is variable due to geographies however overall most members are participating
as required. In the past we have suggested some members leave if they cannot participate
more and they have done so. At some point soon the membership might need re-addressing
however the vast majority of the group contribute and this is very much appreciated.

52

WG - Cell free DNA and related circulating biomarkers (WG-cfDNA)
Chair: Ron HN van Schaik (NL)NO report received for Annual Report; section extracted from most recent report presented toSD-EC (October 2022)
IFCC C-MD survey on ctDNA
As part of the interdisciplinary exchange within the Committee, a new online survey on theanalysis and performance of ctDNA was created.
The invitation to participate in the survey was sent by the IFCC from 8 June to 10 July 2021 to all
national societies that are members of the IFCC. The survey was offered in Spanish and English.
A total of 58 laboratories from 24 countries participated. The results are currently being preparedfor publication and will be submitted by the end of November this year.
Another survey on molecular diagnostics and quality assurance is currently being prepared by
the Committee and will be sent out early next year.

WG - Standardization of Procalcitonin assays (WG-PCT)
Chair: Vincent Delatour (FR)Term of reference 1
Develop and validate a reference measurement procedure for PCT absolute quantification
by Stable Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Validation of a candidate reference measurement procedure for PCT absolute quantification by
Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry is now completed is the subject to 4 publications. The first
paper was published in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry in May 2021 (Anal Bioanal Chem.
2021 Aug;413(19):4707-4725). This publication was subject to a letter to the editor by Fresenius
University (Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021;413(19):4917-4919) and a reply from WG chair (Anal
Bioanal Chem. 2021;413(19):4921-4922). The fifth publication describing the validation of thecandidate RMP with protein-based calibration is now published (Anal Chem. 2022;94(10):41464154). The candidate RMP was submitted to the JCTLM.
List planned activities for 2023 for this Term of Reference
Respond to eventual queries from JCTLM Reviewers

Term of reference 2
Document and understand the variability of results provided by the different commerciallyavailable PCT assays
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
In 2021, ten external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) providers from eight different
countries were approached to share results of their PCT EQAS. From 2014 to 2020, 2220
routine laboratories conducted 27500 PCT measurements using 137 EQA materials which PCT
53

concentration ranged from 0.05 ng/mL to 43.66 ng/mL (median 3.02 ng/mL). Different types ofserum-based EQA materials were included fresh pools not spiked with exogenous PCT, frozen
or lyophilized materials spiked or not with exogenous PCT. The mean between lab CV% is
15.6% but greatly varied across EQA Schemes. In the best cases, a between lab CV of 6-8%
was observed, suggesting that comparability of PCT results is quite satisfactory but in othersurveys, between lab CVs of 20-25% were observed, suggesting that comparability of PCT
results is poor and must be improved. As commutability of EQA materials was not evaluated, it
can be speculated that differences in estimates of between lab agreement is (at least partially)
due to variable commutability levels of the EQA materials. This confirms the need to evaluate
commutability of EQA materials before a conclusion can be made regarding the need to improvecomparability of PCT assays.
This work is now published in CCLM (Clin Chem Lab Med. 2021;59(10):1610-1622).
It was agreed that EQA providers would share their materials for inclusion in the commutability
study that will be organized in 2023.
In 2022, collection of large single donations needed for the commutability study progressed
well in the lab of Prof Hausfater. In parallel, small single donations (leftovers) and small pools
have been collected (Warsaw University, Surrey University, Crete University, University Hospital
Montpellier) with the objective to prepare pools that will be used as EQA materials which
commutability will be evaluated. The commutability study is now planned early 2023. EQA
materials from SKML, RfB, Labquality and RCPAQAP have been received in LNE and other EQA
materials from Probioqual are expected to be received soon for inclusion in the commutability
study.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:
Agreement and correlation between the different PCT assays will be evaluated through aninterlaboratory comparison involving the most popular PCT assays and relying on samples ofproven commutability. A prerequisite will be to establish MDTA with study participants.

Term of reference 3
Evaluate the need for standardization of PCT assays
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
EQA data were gathered (see ToR #2) and a review of all published correlation studies was
conducted.
The ICHCLR identified PCT standardization as high priority with high clinical impact
All WG members agree that commutable EQA materials are needed to accurately estimate
between-method agreement
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:• Organize a commutability study coupled with a correlation study• Pursue stakeholder consultation• Maintain and extend manufacturers’ involvement

54

Term of reference 4
Evaluate the feasibility for standardization of PCT assays
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
Feasibility for standardization of PCT assays will be evaluated after activities planned within ToR
1, 2 and 3 have been completed
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:
Evaluate if the candidate reference method by mass spectrometry is sufficiently robust at PCT
concentration of interest and enables to properly establish results traceability to the SI Units
with sufficiently low measurements uncertainty
Evaluate the correlation between the different commercially available PCT assays and thecandidate reference method by mass spectrometry
Seek for manufacturers’ involvement and willingness to implement a new traceability chain

Term of reference 5
Perform standardization of PCT assays, if needed and feasible.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
The need and feasibility for standardization of PCT assays first need to be evaluated.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:
PCT assays will be standardized:• if the IDMS method meets the necessary performance specifications,• if the variability of results provided by the different commercially available PCT assays
is considered unacceptable and can be improved through common calibration with
commutable secondary calibrators• if correlation between the IDMS method and routine assays is sufficient• if most assay manufacturers agree recalibrating their assays
Comments from WG Chair
For the time being, WG Chair considers that no additional support is required from the EB for
the functional group to be more successful. However, WG Chair would welcome suggestions
from the EB to establish a list of key actions to be undertaken and accomplished before the endof the second Term.
Also, WG Chair would welcome input regarding the future of this WG. In case the study plannedin Q1 2023 reveals that harmonization of PCT test results is insufficient and requires IVD tests tobe recalibrated / standardized, should the WG be prolonged? Should a committee be created?

55

WG - Continuous Glucose Monitoring (WG-CGM)
Chair: Guido Freckmann (DE) and Robbert Slingerland (NL)
Term of reference 1
Work package 1 (WP 1): Establish a Traceability Chain to a Defined MeasurandCompleted in 2021

Term of reference 2Work package 2 (WP 2): CGM Analytical Performance: Procedures & Metrics
1. Establish procedures suitable for assessment of analytical performance of CGM systems,
2. Establish metrics and corresponding minimum acceptance criteria for the analytical
performance of CGM systems.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Mainly work on WP-2 supporting projects (in cooperation with the Institute for DiabetesTechnologie Ulm and the Diabetes Center Berne):
Project 1: Acceptance Criteria and Measurement Procedures for Comparison Measurements
Finalization and publication of project (Pleus S, Eichenlaub M, Gerber T, Eriksson Boija E,
Makris K, Haug C, Freckmann G: Improving the Bias ofComparator Methods in Analytical
Performance Assessments Through Recalibration. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2022 Oct
22:19322968221133107.)
Project 2: Distribution of Glucose Concentration and Glucose Rate of Change (ROC)
Work is in progress
Project 3: Graphical Display of Accuracy
Finalization and publication of project (Eichenlaub M, Stephan P, Waldenmaier D, Pleus S,
Rothenbühler M, Haug C, Hinzmann R, Thomas
A, Jendle J, Diem P, Freckmann G:
Continuous Glucose Deviation Interval and Variability Analysis (CG-DIVA): A Novel Approachfor the Statistical Accuracy Assessment of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems. J Diabetes
Sci Technol 2022 Nov 3: 19322968221134639.,
Stephan P, Eichenlaub M, Waldenmaier D, Pleus S, Rothenbühler M, Haug C, Freckmann G: A
statistical approach for assessing the compliance of integrated continuous glucose monitoring
systems with FDA accuracy requirements. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2022 Oct 28.doi: 10.1089/
dia.2022.0331.)
The results from the supporting projects will be included in the work on WP-2. In addition,
an extensive literature search on methods of CGM performance studies was performed. The
results demonstrate and quantify the variety of design aspects and emphasize the need forstandardization. Publication of a review article is currently prepared.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Further discussions and input to this work package via conference calls and via e-mail. A
consensus document of WP-2 will be prepared and this Term of Reference will be finalized.

56

Term of reference 3
Work package 3 (WP 3): Work with ISO on a New CGM Guideline
Establishment of standardized procedures and acceptance criteria for CGM systems,
covering mechanical and electromagnetic safety, analytical performance, and ease ofuse (analogous to ISO 15197 for blood glucose monitoring systems).
Cooperation with ISO should be aimed for, if the International Organization forStandardization (ISO) is interested:
The working group is intended to cooperate with ISO to define acceptable procedures andacceptance criteria used to assess analytical performance criteria of CGM systems, with similar
scope as that of ISO 15197, which defines procedures and acceptance criteria for systems for
self-monitoring of blood glucose. In the future, CGM will also play a role in hospitals. Criteria for
the use in in-clinic settings need to be established as well.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Not started yet.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Planned contact and cooperation with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

WG-Development of a Reference Measurement System For Sustainable Pt/Inr
Standardization (WG- PT/INR)
Chair: Christa Cobbaert (NL)
Term of reference 1
To develop a harmonized reference measurement procedure based on the WHOmanual tilt tube technique as well as a complete reference measurement system for
global standardization of the PT/INR test. An entire reference measurement system isessential to anchor the commercial International Standards for thromboplastin to assure
longitudinal accuracy of PT/INR-test results in time and space across manufacturers.
List planned activities in 2022 for this Term of Reference
The working group on PT/INR RMS development works on two lines in parallel:
1. Development of a harmonized MTT as Candidate Measurement Procedure in a networkof WHO calibration labs (see also Term of reference 4)
2. Selecting and defining a suitable candidate Reference Material as part of the metrologicaltraceability chain to be set up for the development of a sustainable Reference Measurement
System that allows global PT/INR standardization
The IFCC-ISTH WG has representatives from calibration labs, a T&H clinician-associate professor,
corporate representatives from industry and representatives from SSC-ISTH and WHO.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The working group is progressing steadily on both parallel lines as described in the planned
activities.

57

Operators of the calibration labs (2 operators per site 8 in total) have participated in six ringtrials in 2022. Feedback on the results of the ring trials is subject of discussion in the 2-monthly
IFCC-SSC/ISTH WG zoom meetings. Harmonizing the Manual Tilt Tube technique is an ongoingprocess and will be continued in 2023 until pre-set criteria are met.
Steps have been made in establishing and selecting a suitable primary reference
thromboplastin.
A subgroup has been formed to work on the progress of the primary reference standard. A
Pilot study has started to evaluate the performance and suitability of the primary standard. Fourcalibration labs are taking part in the pilot study.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Harmonizing the Manual Tilt Tube technique is an ongoing process and will be continued in
2023. The present criterion is CVa MTT< 1.5% and across labs the interlab CV MTT <2.0%. The
ring trial 2023 contains six surveys. Results of the ring trial surveys are regularly discussed in
the IFCC-ISTH zoom meetings.
Selecting and defining a suitable primary and secondary reference thromboplastin.
1. Results of the pilot study, to select a suitable primary reference thromboplastin, areexpected end of March 2023. A report including the results of the pilot study will
be written.
2. Retrospective calculations on past reference thromboplastins are madeto investigate whether it is feasible to select only one secondary recombinantreference thromboplastin and hence only one traceability chain.

Term of reference 2
To review the agreed WHO procedure for calculating ISI of new international standards as
the procedure should not lead to deterioration of the traceability of PT/INR test results.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Reconsideration of the agreed WHO procedure for ISI assignment to primary thromboplastin
reference materials based on averaging, as well as the necessity of the manufacturing of only
one primary reference material (recombinant human).
A metrologically traceable and sustainable hierarchy for guaranteeing standardized citrateplasma PT/INR test results for monitoring of VKA treatment in accordance with ISO 17511:
2020 has been established.
The hierarchy includes a human recombinant primary reference thromboplastin. Another similar
one has to be considered for standardizing whole blood PT/INR results.
Arising from this two calibration hierarchies have been developed by the IFCC-ISTH WG:
1. Calibration hierarchy of plasma INR measurement by hospital labs (end-user),theoretically with one human recombinant primary and secondary reference
thromboplastin, which allows rabbit (plain) thromboplastins to be anchored to the same
traceability chain within allowable MU.
2. Calibration hierarchy POC whole blood procedure.
Allowable uncertainties are projected in the traceability chain. The working group has suggested
an equal distribution of the uncertainty budget across the stakeholders and incorporated the
MU into both traceability figures58

A concept manuscript with essentials of the proposed metrologically traceable and sustainablehierarchy of the International Normalized Ratio for monitoring vitamin K antagonist treatment inaccordance with ISO 17511:2020 is underway.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Retrospective data analysis of previous calibrations is underway to calculate whether theuncertainty of INR with various commercial human and rabbit (plain, combined) thromboplastin
reagents do not exceed maximum allowable MU. This is an important underlying condition to
enable the establishment of selecting only one recombinant human primary and secondaryreference thromboplastin in the envisioned traceability chains.

Term of reference 3
To evaluate the necessity of the co-existence respectively continuation of different
thromboplastin reference materials for ensuring global PT/INR standardization.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Establishment of a lean traceability including one primary and one secondary. See 2nd ToR.
• The primary reference thromboplastin has been provided by the IVD-industry(Siemens). In October 2022 a reagent bulk of envisioned candidate primary reference
thromboplastin was shipped to NIBSC for filling, freeze-drying, sealing, labelling andstorage and distribution.
• After reagent processing the bulk candidate primary reference thromboplastin has beentested by the manufacturer and four calibration labs. The work is in progress.
• List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• A timeline has been set up including the process of preparing and testing the candidate
primary reference thromboplastin. Due date is Q2 2023.

Term of reference 4
Four calibration labs are running the harmonized MTT method for certifying thecalibration of commercial thromboplastins from IVD-manufacturers
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Testing and evaluation ring trial 2022-01

Date: report February 2022

Artificial depleted plasmas are prepared for testing and were sent
to the calibration labs for testing
Week 4-8th April 2022: distribution of test surveys 2,3,4,5,6 (ring trial). Two monthly testing
Testing and evaluation Ring trial 2022-02.

Date: report May 2022

Virtual meeting calibration labs to discuss ring trial results.

Date: June 20th 2022

Testing and evaluation Ring trial 2022-03.

Date: report July 2022

Testing and evaluation of Ring trial 2022-04.

Date: eport September 2022

Testing Ring trial 2022-05

Date: October 2022

Testing Ring trial 2022-06

Date: January 2023

59

Aim is to reduce the within and between variability of the operators to a stable and sufficiently
low imprecision level to minimize as far as feasible the error budget consumed by the MTT. Thereis a (successful) and joined effort to achieve the criteria for reducing the within and between
variability. Half of the operators approach already the required envisioned MTT performance.
The calibration labs will also participate in testing the (candidate) primary reference
thromboplastins and the new selected secondary reference thromboplastins.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
It’s important to reduce the operator variability and therefore it’s relevant to look into the detailsof the MTT. Another workshop will be planned before the summer of 2023
SURVEY NUMBER

Dates of testing2023-01

Teting in week 8-9: February 20th / March 3th2023-02

Testing week 16-17: April 17th - 28th

2013-03

Testing week 25-26: June 19th - 30th

2023-04

Testing week 35-36: August 28th - September 8th

2023-0S

Testing week 42-43: October 16th - 27th

2023-06

Testing week 50-51: December 11th - 22nd

WG– Harmonisation of Autoantibody Testing (WG-HAT)
Chair: Dr Joanna Sheldon (UK)
Term of reference 1
The production of certified reference materials for the quantification of autoantibody
concentrations – IgG antibodies to beta-2 glycoprotein 1.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The reference material for anti beta2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies has been value assigned in IU
through the WHO (via NIBSC). This was because the antibody purified for the value assignment
process was not commutable (although the material itself was commutable) o we were unable
to value assign in SI units.
Downloads for this reference material• Certificate/Prod. Info. Sheet ERM-DA477_IFCC_certificate.pdf• Origin certificate ERM-DA477_IFCC_cert of origin.pdf• RM report ERM-DA477_IFCC_report.pdf
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Review whether any companies have adopted this material for calibration of their assays andwhether it has had any impact on the EQA performance of the assay.

60Term of reference 2
The production of certified reference materials for the quantification of autoantibody
concentrations in Coeliac disease.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The reference material for coeliac antibodies has been prepared and is commutable. However,
we have encountered the same problem of lack of commutability of the purified antibodies forvalue assignment. We are therefore working with NIBSC for value assign in IU through the WHO.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
We are currently in discussions with NIBSC regarding the application for this material to beconsidered in the next round of certification with the WHO. Hope fully this will progress.
Another commutability study on the (bottled) material is necessary and Liesbet Deprez at the
JRC is currently collecting samples and identifying participating labs.

Term of reference 3
The production of certified reference materials for the quantification of autoantibody
concentrations – IgG anti Glomerular Basement Membrane
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The raw material has been sourced and is with the JRC. We are awaiting the documentation
relating to consent that this may be used e.g. for the preparation of reference material for theoverall benefit to patients.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The plan is for the material to be processed in June/July 2023. There is a large volume of raw
material so we plan to try to value assign in both IU and SI units.

Publications by Committees and Working Groups:

COMMITTEESC-NPU:
Hansen YBL, Furuta K, Devaraj S, Yilmaz FM, Nordin G. Misleading nomenclature of units of
WHO materials used for standardization of SARS COv-2 serology. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022
Apr 20;60(7): e151-e152. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0082. PMID: 35439401.

C-MD:
Molecular diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2: Findings of an international survey. Vacaflores Salinas
A, Ashavaid T, Payne DA, Linder MW, Baluchova K, Pan S, Huggett J, Ahmad-Nejad P; IFCC
Committee for Molecular Diagnostics C-MD. Clin Chim Acta. 2022 Jun 1; 531:237-242. doi:
10.1016/j.cca.2022.04.007. Epub 2022 Apr 9. PMID: 35413298
61

Parviz Ahmad-Nejad did an online presentation at the Chinese Clinical Molecular Diagnosis
Summit 2022 “Molecular diagnostics and quality assurance – insights from international IFCC
surveys”
The most recent publication of the C-MD entitled “Results from an IFCC Global Survey on
Laboratory Practices for the Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA. “has already been approved by
the SD of the IFCC and will be submitted to Clin Chim Acta in the near future.

C-TLM:The results of RELA2022 are published on the website (http://www.dgkl-rfb.de:81).
“Traceability in Action”, IFCC Worldlab, Symposium 17, Seoul, South Korea, June 29, 2022.
“What to do when reference measurement procedures show different results?”, EQALM
Symposium 2022, Athens, Greece, October 12-14, 2022.		

C-STFT:
Vesper HW, Van Uytfanghe K, Hishinuma A, Raverot V, Patru MM, Danilenko U, van Herwaarden
T, Shimizu E Implementing reference systems for thyroid function tests – A collaborative effort.
Clin Chim Acta 2021; 519:183-186
Jansen HI, van Herwaarden AE, Huijgen HJ, Painter RC, Hillebrand JJ, Boelen A, Heijboer AC.
Pregnancy disrupts the accuracy of automated fT4 immunoassays. Eur Thyroid J. 2022 Oct
PMID: 36219545.
Kratzsch J, Baumann NA, Ceriotti F, Lu ZX, Schott M, van Herwaarden AE, Henriques Vieira JG,
Lehmann H, Kasapic D, Giovanella L. The new Roche Elecsys TSH assay conforms with current
IFCC C-STFT standards. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2021;59: e445-e448
Ribera A, Zhang L, Dabbs-Brown A, Sugahara O, Poynter K, Van Uytfanghe K, Shimizu E, van
Herwaarden AE, Botelho JC, Danilenko U, Vesper HW. Development of equilibrium dialysis IDUPLC-MS/MS candidate reference measurement procedure for free thyroxine in human serum.
Under review at Journal
Jansen HI, van der Steen R, Brandt A, Olthaar AJ, Vesper HW, Shimizu E, Heijboer AC, van
Uytfanghe K, van Herwaarden AE. Description and validation of an Equilibrium Dialysis ID –LC-MS/MS Candidate Reference Measurement Procedure for Free Thyroxine in human serum.
Submitted to journal.
Ribera A, Zhang L, Riberio CMB, Vazquez N, Thonkulpitak J, Botelho JC, Danilenko U, Van
Uytfanghe K, Vesper HW. Preanalytical considerations for free thyroxine and triiodothyronine
assays. Under agency review
C-HAT:
Liesbet Deprez has submitted an abstract for World Euromedlab in Rome
62

C-BM:
Analytical Performance Specifications for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Examinations
Etienne Cavalier, Callum G. Fraser, Harjit P. Bhattoa, Annemieke C. Heijboer, Konstantinos
Makris, Candice Z. Ulmer, Hubert W. Vesper, Samuel Vasikaran, Pierre Lukas, Pierre Delanaye,
Anna Carobene, on behalf of the IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism
Nutrients. 2021 Feb; 13(2): 431. Published online 2021 Jan 28. doi: 10.3390/nu1302043
Recommendations on the measurement and the clinical use of vitamin D metabolites andvitamin D binding protein - A position paper from the IFCC Committee on bone metabolism.
Makris K, Bhattoa HP, Cavalier E, Phinney K, Sempos CT, Ulmer CZ, Vasikaran SD, Vesper H,
Heijboer AC. Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Jun; 517:171-197. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.03.002. Epub
2021 Mar 10. PMID: 33713690
A Multicenter Study to Evaluate Harmonization of Assays for C-Terminal Telopeptides of Type I
Collagen (ss-CTX): A Report from the IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism (C-BM).
Cavalier E, Eastell R, Jørgensen NR, Makris K, Tournis S, Vasikaran S, Kanis JA, Cooper C,
Pottel H, Morris HA; IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism (C-BM). Calcif Tissue Int. 2021
Jun;108(6):785-797. doi: 10.1007/s00223-021-00816-5. Epub 2021 Mar 4
The path to the standardization of PTH: Is this a realistic possibility? a position paper of the
IFCC C-BM.
Cavalier E, Vasikaran S, Bhattoa HP, Heijboer AC, Makris K, Ulmer CZ. Clin Chim Acta. 2021
Apr; 515:44-51. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.12.022. Epub 2021 Jan 4. PMID: 33412144
Analytical considerations and plans to standardize or harmonize assays for the reference boneturnover markers PINP and β-CTX in blood.
Bhattoa HP, Cavalier E, Eastell R, Heijboer AC, Jørgensen NR, Makris K, Ulmer CZ, Kanis
JA, Cooper C, Silverman SL, Vasikaran SD; IFCC-IOF Committee for Bone Metabolism. Clin
Chim Acta. 2021 Apr; 515:16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.12.023. Epub 2020 Dec 28. PMID:
33382995
European Biological Variation Study (EuBIVAS): within- and between-subject biological variation
estimates of β-CTX, PINP, osteocalcin, intact-FGF 23 and uCuP-MGP - a cooperation between
the EFLM Working Group on Biological Variation and the International Osteoporosis FoundationInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry Committee on Bone Metabolism.
Cavalier E, Lukas P, Bottani M, Aarsand AK, Ceriotti F, Coşkun A, Díaz-Garzón J, Fernàndez-Calle
P, Guerra E, Locatelli M, Sandberg S, Carobene A; European Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine Working Group on Biological Variation and IOF-IFCC Committee on
Bone Metabolism
Osteoporos Int. 2020 Aug;31(8):1461-1470. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05362-8. Epub 2020 Apr
8. PMID: 32270253

63

Harmonization of commercial assays for PINP; the way forward.
Vasikaran SD, Bhattoa HP, Eastell R, Heijboer AC, Jørgensen NR, Makris K, Ulmer C, Kanis JA,
Cooper C, Silverman S, Cavalier E.
Osteoporos Int. 2020 Mar;31(3):409-412. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05310-6.
A multicenter study to evaluate harmonization of assays for N-terminal propeptide of type I
procollagen (PINP): a report from the IFCC-IOF Joint Committee for Bone Metabolism.
Cavalier E, Eastell R, Rye Jørgensen N, Makris K, Tournis S, Vasikaran S, Kanis JA, Cooper C,
Pottel H, Morris HA; IFCC-IOF Joint Committee for Bone Metabolism (C-BM).
Clin Chem Lab Med. 2019 Sep 25;57(10):1546-1555. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2019-0174
Special issue of Calcified Tissue International: Role of the Clinical Laboratory in the Assessmentof Metabolic Muskuloskeletal Diseases (Volume 112, issue 2, February 2023)
Eleven articles in this Special issue: Calcified Tissue International | Volume 112, issue 2(springer.com)

WORKING GROUPS
WG-CMT:
Miller WG, Greenberg, N, Panteghini M, Budd JR, Johansen JV on behalf of the International
Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Working Group on
Commutability in Metrological Traceability. Guidance on which calibrators in a metrologicallytraceable calibration hierarchy must be commutable with clinical samples. Clin Chem 2023;
69:228-38.		

WG-APO MS:
Dikaios I, Althaus H, Angles-Cano E, Begcevic Brkovic I, Ceglarek U, Coassin S, Cobbaert CM
Delatour V, Dittrich J, Hoofnagle AN, Kostner GM, Kronenberg F, Kuklenyik Z, Prinzing U, Ruhaak
LR, Vesper HW, Deprez L; IFCC Working Group for Standardization of Apolipoproteins by Mass
Spectrometry. Towards standardization of Lipoprotein (a) measurements: comparison of a MSbased candidate reference measurement procedure with commercially available immunoassays
for commutability assessment of candidate reference materials. Clin Chem, accepted
Ruhaak LR, Romijn FPHTM, Begcevic Brkovic I, Kuklenyik Z, Dittrich J, Ceglarek U, Hoofnagle AN,
Althaus H, Angles-Cano E, Coassin S, Delatour V, Deprez L, Dikaios I, Kostner GM, Kronenberg
F, Lyle A, Prinzing U, Vesper HW, Cobbaert CM; IFCC Working Group for Standardization of
Apolipoproteins by Mass Spectrometry. Towards an SI-traceable LC-MRM-MS based Candidate
Reference Measurement Procedure for serum apolipoprotein (a). Clin Chem, accepted
Relevant but part of PhD trajectory in LUMC, Leiden, NL with prof Cobbaert as primary thesis
advisor (personal invitation from Prof K Adeli, IFCC president):
Diederiks NM, Ruhaak LR, Cobbaert CM; Developing an SI-traceable Apo(a) Reference
Measurement System: a pilgrimage for selectivity, completeness of digestion and molecularmeasurement of apo(a). Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, submitted (REVIEW)
64

WG-FIT:"Method comparison and commutability study among four faecal immunochemical tests (FIT)
systems" has been accepted for poster presentation at the forthcoming WorldLab-EuroMedLabRoma 2023 Congress (21-25 May 2023).

WG-PCT:
Activities conducted by IFCC WG-PCT are described in a paper published in the IFCC SD
Special issue of CCA (Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Apr; 515:111-121)
Results of the PCT EQA schemes and an analysis of all published correlation studies are subject
to a publication that is now published in CCLM (Clin Chem Lab Med. 2021;59(10):1610-1622).
Validation of a candidate reference measurement procedure for PCT absolute quantification
by Stable Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry is now completed is the subject to 4 scientificpublications. The first paper was published in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry in May
2021 (Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021 Aug;413(19):4707-4725). All WG members are identified ascollaborators. This publication was subject to a letter to the editor by Fresenius University (Anal
Bioanal Chem. 2021;413(19):4917-4919) and a reply (Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021 Aug;413(19):49214922). The fifth publication describing the validation of the candidate RMP based on proteinbased calibration is now published in open access (Anal Chem. 2022;94(10):4146-4154).
Poster presentation: Boeuf A., Huynh HH, Derbez-Morin M, Giangrande C., Vaslin-Reimann S.,
Lalere B., Vinh J., Delatour V. Towards the standardization of PCT assays? Status, needs andfeasibility. Congress IFCC EuroMedLab 2022, 11-15 April 2022, Munich.

WG-TNIWe have had several abstracts on this project over the past few years. We have one abstract
submitted for presentation at the 2023 AACC Annual Meeting. We will begin writing themanuscript that will describe the rationale and production of RM 8121. This will be submitted toa peer-review journal following review and feedback from the IFCC SD.

WG-CGM:
Freckmann G, Nichols JH, Hinzmann R, Klonoff DC, Ju Y, Diem P, Makris K, Slingerland RJ:
Standardization process of continuous glucose monitoring: traceability and performance.
Clinica Chimica Acta 515 (2021) 5–12
Freckmann G, Slingerland RJ: Continuous Glucose Monitoring – What should be optimized andconsidered in the future? Scientific short, published online at American Association for Clinical
Chemistry (AACC), (2021)
Freckmann G, “Standardization in Glucose Monitoring”, presentation at the Euromedlab
Meeting, 13-Apr-2022

65

Freckmann G, “Kontinuierliche Glukosemessung CGM – Traceability and Standards”,
presentation at DGKL Meeting, 13-Okt-2022
Pleus S, Eichenlaub M, Gerber T, Eriksson Boija E, Makris K, Haug C, Freckmann G: Improving
the Bias of Comparator Methods in Analytical Performance Assessments Through Recalibration.
J Diabetes Sci Technol 2022 Oct 22:19322968221133107. doi: 10.1177/19322968221133107.
Online ahead of print
Stephan P, Eichenlaub M, Waldenmaier D, Pleus S, Rothenbühler M, Haug C, Freckmann G: A
statistical approach for assessing the compliance of integrated continuous glucose monitoring
systems with FDA accuracy requirements. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2022 Oct 28.doi: 10.1089/
dia.2022.0331. Online ahead of print
Freckmann G, “Traceability of CGM”, presentation at Diabetes Technology Meeting (DTM), 03Nov- 2022
Eichenlaub M, Stephan P, Waldenmaier D, Pleus S, Rothenbühler M, Haug C, Hinzmann R,
Thomas A, Jendle J, Diem P, Freckmann G: Continuous Glucose Deviation Interval and Variability
Analysis (CG-DIVA): A Novel Approach for the Statistical Accuracy Assessment of Continuous
Glucose Monitoring Systems. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2022 Nov 3: 19322968221134639. Doi:
10.1177/19322968221134639. Online ahead of print

WG-PT INR:
Paving the way for establishing a reference measurement system for standardization of plasma
prothrombin time: Harmonizing the manual tilt tube method Antonius M. H. P. van den Besselaar| Claudia J. J. van Rijn | Chairman F. Abdoel| Veena Chantarangkul| Erica Scalambrino| Steve
Kitchen| Armando Tripodi| Anita M. Woolley| Lidia Padovan| Christa M. Cobbaert. DOI:10.1111/
jth.14873
Bias and uncertainty of the International Normalized Ratio determined with a whole blood
point-of-care prothrombin time test device by comparison to a new International Standard forthromboplastin
Antonius M H P van den Besselaar , Claudia J J van Rijn , Charmane F Abdoel , Christa M
Cobbaert doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2021.02.018.
Effect of the reaction temperature on the prothrombin time and the apparent International
Normalized Ratio determined with International Standards for thromboplastins. AMHP van Den
Besselaar, Christa Cobbaert. Int J Hematol 2022 Apr;44(2):379-384. Doi: 10.111/ijlh.13737.

66

IN PROGRESS
Proposal:
Manuscript in preparation “Defining a metrologically traceable and sustainable hierarchy ofInternational Normalized ratio for monitoring of vitamin K antagonist treatment in accordancewith International Standard ISO 17511:202. A.M.H.P. van den Besselaar et al. On behalf of
the IFCC-SSC/ISTH working group on PT/INR standardization” to Journal of Hemostasis andThrombosis:
AddendumOversight on the uncertainty of INR determinations with various commercial human and rabbit
thromboplastin reagents over the past decades.
There have been no publications reported in 2022 by the following Committees and Working
Groups:C-RIDL; WG-PAPPA; WG-hGH; WG-SIA; WG-PE; WG-SAU; WG-cfDNA; WG-CSF; WG-CDT;
WG-ID; WG-SHbA2
Philippe Gillery SD Chair and Garry John SD Secretary67

EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION (EMD)

Committee on Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum (C-CMBC)
Chair: Verena Haselman (DE)Term of reference 1
COURSE IMPROVEMENT/DEVELOPMENTREVISION BEGINNER COURSE: During the annual meeting, we have updated the lectures outlineof the beginner course and agreed upon new lectures / exercises that should be included in thenext courses. These presentations were then prepared by the tutors and given during the course.
Additionally, a TaqMan-based assay was developed and included in the beginner course.
REVISION ADVANCED COURSE: During the functional unit meetings, new lectures for theadvanced course and new practical exercises were discussed. These lectures and practical
exercises (e.g. nomenclature, identification of sequence variations, correct annotation) wereprepared by the tutors ahead of the course. According to the focus on the hosting society, a
new course day (lectures and exercises) on hemato-oncology were included. The focus on assay
validation and evaluation of results including nomenclature of variants and their annotation wasenhanced.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
REVISION BEGINNER COURSE: at the functional meeting, the beginners course in Nigde was
evaluated. Based on the evaluation by the participants and tutors, the in-silico part should
further be developed in 2023. E.g. by providing appropriate online-tools in advance and including
additional seminars on primer/probe design.
REVISION ADVANCED COURSE: After the last advanced course, we evaluated the second
advanced course. We decided to further strengthen the focus on assay validation and annotationof variants as this was very challenging for the participants. We decided to provide the students
some links for tutorials prior to the course. Additionally, we have to determine some requirementsfor participants in the advanced course as otherwise their level might be too different.

Term of reference 2
BEGINNERS COURSE
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
PRE-COURSE: The one-week pre-course in Mannheim was successfully conducted.
BEGINNER COURSE: The beginner course took place in Nigde, Turkey, from September 5-11,2022 and was highly appreciated and evaluated by the participants.
NOMINATION OF JUNIOR MEMBER: Nazli Yanik was nominated as new junior member.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
PRE-COURSE: In advance to the beginners' course, a one-week pre-course in Mannheim isplanned. A trainee nominated by the hosting society will travel to Mannheim and will conduct
68

all experiments of the course in order to adapt the course layout according to local conditionsof the host.
BEGINNER COURSE - CALL: A hosting society of the beginner course needs to be identified.
As six students from Nigeria applied last year to the course in Turkey, but were not able toparticipate as they were not able to get a visa, we want to get into contact with the president of
the Nigerian Society. Additionally, the course has to be announced via IFCC.
BEGINNER COURSE: As soon as we have identified a hosting country, the one-week course
will take place in 2023.
JUNIOR MEMBER: The responsibilities of the junior member should be revised and discussedwith IFCC. Furthermore, a new junior member needs to be nominated after the next beginnercourse.

Term of reference 3
ADVANCED COURSE
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
ADVANCED COURSE: In agreement with the hosting society, the course took place after the
beginner course and was finally held in Adana from December 1-3, 2022.
ADDITIONAL ADVANCED COURSE: We were not able to conduct a 3rd advanced course in
2023 due to the fact that the 2nd advanced course took place in December 2022 and not
January 2022 caused by local COVID-19 associated restrictions.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
ADVANCED COURSE – CALL: A hosting society of the advanced course needs to be identified.
We started to identify a hosting society for the 3rd advanced course. Potentially interested
countries (based on first oral communications during the conference in Brussel) include Peru
and Paraguay. These will be contacted.
ADVANCED COURSE – ADVERTISEMENT: A report of the last advanced course has to be
written and – if possible – published in IFCC e-news.
ADVANCED COURSE: Preparation and conduction of the 3rd Advanced Course in 2023.

Term of reference 4
PUBLICATIONS/GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
ONLINE PRECOURSE: For the first time, the one-day pre-course was made available tostudents as recorded lectures. This ensured that all participants were familiar with the basics ofmolecular biology, and we were able to include a day of qPCR training in the beginner course.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: So far, we were not able to prepare a guidance document on proper
primer design. However, we have noticed during the course, that this information would help
the students for their own research and/or assay design of genetic tests. Thus, we should
continue on this activity in 2023.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: a guidance document on primer/probe/assay design should be
prepared for all participants. If possible, this should be submitted for publication.

692022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of the C-CMBC committee took place during the IFCCWorldLab in Seoul.
FUNCTIONAL UNIT MEETING: Another functional unit meeting of the C-CMBC committee took
place during the General Conference in Brussel October 2022.
Additionally, two virtual meetings took place.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
ANNUAL MEETING: The C-CMBC committee meeting will take place during the EuroMedLabin Rome.
Additionally, virtual meetings in advance to each course will take place.

Committee for Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine (C-EBLM)
Chair Annalise Zemlin (ZA)TERMS OF REFERENCE
The main aim of the Committee on Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine (C-EBLM) of
the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) is todisseminate information about Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine (EBLM)

Term of reference 1
Publications on EBLM
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Systematic Review manuscript: The committee (only authors) had regular meetings, themanuscript has been improved, the editor of the journal contacted and it is almost complete. It
will be submitted early 2023.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Submission of Systematic Review and start planning next manuscript

Term of reference 2
Congress attendance and dissemination of EBLM information
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Successful symposium “EBLM from research to clinical practice” online Alexandria
27 March 2022 (under auspices IFCC)
2. Face-to-face and online meeting 11 April 2022 Munich
3. AZ gave talk “Reconciling Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine and Precision
Medicine” 7 June 2022 at CSCC in Niagara Falls
4. SB gave talk Seoul 28th June 2022 talk “Laboratory and hypertension – adding value
to clinical guidelines”

70

5. Face-to-face and online meeting Brussels 28 October
6. 48th Annual Conference of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India ACBICON
2022 held at New Delhi, India, from 23rd-26th November, 2022. Symposium “EBLM– Where is the Evidence and How do we Apply it” and SB and RK (VLP funding)speakers. Talk by RK (VLP): “Post-Partum Thyroid Disturbance: Is It Always the Same?”
7. Submitted proposal for APFCB October 2024 Sydney Australia “EBLM and Test
Utilisation”. Speakers: ADW, AZ, SM, RK
8. Proposal for a symposium at AACC 2023 submitted: Application of Evidence-BasedLab Medicine to guide Test Utilization among Health Inequalities. Facilitator Randy
Schneider (corresponding corporate member) and speakers: RK, HSC and SB.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Proposal for a symposium at AACC 2023 submitted: Application of Evidence-BasedLab Medicine to guide Test Utilization among Health Inequalities. Facilitator Randy
Schneider (corresponding corporate member) and speakers: RK, HSC and SB
2. Submitted proposal for APFCB October 2024 Sydney Australia “EBLM and Test
Utilisation”. Speakers: ADW, AZ, SM, RK
3. ACBION 2023 13-16 September 2023 (SB on COC)- submit EBLM symposium(AZ and SB to participate and also IFCC C-PR)
4. Chemical Pathology Conference, Alexandria University Chem Path 2023: Session“Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine in Disease Management ”. RK Lecture
on Evidence Based Utilization and Interpretation of Endocrine Tests
5. Annual Meeting Rome 2023
6. Explore possible participation Dubai 2024
7. Start preparing EFLM Brussels 2025

Term of reference 3
Webinars
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
No webinars in 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. EBLM – where do we get the evidence? April 2023 (Chair AEZ; speakers ADW, SB, RK)
2. EBLM and inappropriate testing July 2022 (Chair ADW; speakers AZ, KRC, HSC)
Both reviewed and accepted

Term of reference 4
eAcademy talks
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Talks not submitted
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Submit recordings of symposium given in Egypt 2022
Each committee member to produce a talk (SB, RK and AZ have VLP talks to submit)
71

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Activities not stated in 2022 workplan:
AZ:• Cardiometabolic Health Conference Feb 2022: talk “Glycated albumin – what is theevidence?”• 7th Annual National CME of TATA Memorial Hospital talk “Vitamin D – do we haveenough sunshine?”
SB:• Cardiometabolic Health Conference Feb 2022: talk “Vitamin D and cardiac health”• Talk Indian Association of Biochemistry April 2022 “Introduction to EBLM”• 7th Annual National CME of TATA Memorial Hospital talk “Should therapeutic agentsfor sepsis target the glycocalyx?”
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Five meetings in 2022: 19 Jan (online), 17 March (online), 11 April (Munich and online),
12 August (online) and 28 October (Brussels and online)
6. MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
A minimum of quarterly conference calls and face to face in Rome (all full and corresponding
members)
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. Successful symposium “EBLM from research to clinical practice” online Alexandria
27 March 2022 (under auspices IFCC)
2. Face-to-face and online meeting 11 April 2022 Munich
3. AZ gave talk “Reconciling Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine and Precision
Medicine” 7 June 2022 at CSCC in Niagara Falls
4. SB gave talk Seoul 28th June 2022 talk “Laboratory and hypertension – adding value toclinical guidelines”
5. Face-to-face and online meeting Brussels 28 October
6. 48th Annual Conference of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India ACBICON
2022 held at New Delhi, India, from 23rd-26th November, 2022. Symposium “EBLM– Where is the Evidence and How do we Apply it” and SB and RK (VLP funding)speakers. Talk by RK (VLP): “Post-Partum Thyroid Disturbance: Is It Always the Same?”
7. Submitted proposal for APFCB October 2024 Sydney Australia “EBLM and Test
Utilisation”. Speakers: ADW, AZ, SM, RK
8. Proposal for a symposium at AACC 2023 submitted: Application of Evidence-BasedLab Medicine to guide Test Utilization among Health Inequalities. Facilitator Randy
Schneider (corresponding corporate member) and speakers: RK, HSC and SB.

72

Committee on Clinical Laboratory Management (C-CLM)
Chair Praveen Sharma (IN)
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To promote the development of clinical laboratory leaders focusing on skills in:• Laboratory Leadership• Team Management• Laboratory Workload Planning• Goal Setting• Strategic Planning and Gap Analysis• Financial Management• Quality Management & Continuous Quality Improvement• Quality Tools and Methods• Risk Management• Project Management• Test Utilization Management• Motivating Staff and Human Resource Management• Culture of Quality• Customer Focus and Patient Safety
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. MA delivered an invited talk on “Strategic Planning in Laboratory Medicine” in Ohio
Collaborative Laboratory Conference, April 2022
2. RE delivered invited talks at National Pathology Conference, Malaysia- 17 August 2022.
(Title of talk: Risk Management) and at 32nd MACB Conference- 12 September 2022.
(Title of talk: The Impact of Act 774 on Medical Laboratory Scientist Profession in
Malaysia)
3. C-CLM members PS & PM participated in a symposium in COLABIOCLI Regional
Federation Congress, Leon, Mexico, 2022
Topic: “Sustaining high quality clinical laboratory services in a rapidly changing world”
Speakers and their topics:
Sedef Yenice: Utilization Management
PM: Balancing POCT and Centralized Lab testing
Ed Randell: Assuring compliance to standards with diverse service delivery models
PS: Integrated continuous process improvement in all laboratories diagnostic testing
modalities
4. C-CLM chair (PS) along with past members participated in a symposium in IFCCWorldlab Seoul 2022 (Topic: “Essential leadership skills: shaping future leaders for
success in laboratory management”)
Speakers and their topics:
Ed Randell: Leadership attributes and styles: Impact on relationships
in the workplace
PS: The Leader versus the manager and building leadership through emotional
intelligence
Sedef Yenice: Developing an effective leadership style in laboratory team management
Aye Aye Khine: Managing relationships and leading changes within the heterogeneous
workplace
5. C-CLM organised a symposium in the East Zone ACBICON held in Sikkim Manipal
Institute of Medical Sciences, India on 16-17 September 2022.

73

Speakers and their topics:
1. PM - Ethical considerations and Value addition in Laboratory Medicine
2. Shruti Gupta (corresponding member) - Good Laboratory Practices– A managerial responsibility
3. PS - The role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Development
6. C-CLM conducted a symposium on "Effective Leadership and Management in the
Medical Laboratory" in ACBICON 2022, 23-25 November 2022, New Delhi, India
Speakers and their topics:
PM: Leadership Attitudes and Learning Styles for Medical Laboratory Professionals
PS: Fundamentals of Effective Communication for Laboratory Managers
Sedef Yenice: Strategies for Effective Conflict Management in the Medical Laboratory
Workplace
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. To contribute to a IFCC Live Webinar.
2. To deliver talks at various conferences to promote the development of clinical laboratory
leaders.

Term of reference 2
Produces educational and training materials on laboratory leadership in the form of:• Publications including monographs, handbooks, and guides.
• Workshops• Seminars• Courses
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. PS delivered a lecture on “Laboratory strategic leadership plan towards improving valuebased laboratory utilization” in AACC University held in the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific
Meeting
2. PS & PM participated in a APFCB pre-congress workshop titled "Progression towards
the future of Laboratory Medicine: Challenges & solutions” in COLABIOCLI Regional
Federation Congress, Leon, Mexico, 2022
Title of the talks: PS - State of Major Transformations in Healthcare & Medical
Laboratory; PM - Preparing Next-Gen Lab Specialists - Role of mentorship and various
training/educational opportunities
3. RE participated in multiple workshops
a. “Application of Risk Management in Medical Laboratories” in Malaysian Associationof Accredited Laboratories Lab Management Workshop, 15-16 June 2022
b. “Risk Management in Medical Laboratories” in MOH Melaka State Continuing
Education Program, 10-11 August 2022
c. “Laboratory Quality Management System” in Biomedical Science Program Workshop,
Faculty of Health Sciences, National University, Malaysia, 6 October 2022
d. “Improving Lab Quality and Cost Effectiveness through Modification of GC/MS Test
Method” in Workshop on Training of Trainers (TOT) Quality Assurance Hospital Tunku
Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21 October 2022

74

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. To produce and publish a monograph/guidance short booklet with the following title“Essential Problem-Solving Tools for Quality Improvement”To produce and publish amonograph/guidance short booklet with the following title“Essentials of Project Management for Laboratory Leaders”
2. To participate in education workshops or seminars

Term of reference 3
Provides learning resources on topics related to clinical laboratory management.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
C-CLM members (PS, MG, RE) presented an IFCC Live Webinar on 19th October 2022
Moderator: Sedef Yenice
Speakers and their topics:• PS: Data & Analytics leadership: Challenges and opportunities• MG: Laboratory Data Analytics to improve patient experience and deliver more value• RE: Continuous improvement strategies in clinical laboratory services with Data
Analytics
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. The committee is planning to make a publishable guidance short booklet with the title“Essential Set-up for Compliance with Quality Management Requirements”
2. To write a review on topic related to laboratory management

Term of reference 4
Collaborates with other IFCC committees, workgroups, and task forces in the above
activities.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. PM participated in the IFCC Young Scientist Forum (organised by the IFCC Taskforce ofYoung Scientists TF-YS) and delivered a talk on “How to lead a lab by a YS who recently
became a chief”
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. To collaborate with the C-POCT for organising joint workshops
2. To look for the possibility of collaboration with the TF-YS in designing and delivering
leadership workshops
3. To look for the possibility of collaboration with the TF-GEL in designing and delivering
online educational courses/learning material.

75Term of reference 5
Administers surveys on specific areas of laboratory management and establishes adatabase and plans for preparation of new educational materials based on the results
obtained from survey activities.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
C-CLM decided to conduct a survey on “Global Supply Chain Management Issues in ClinicalLaboratories”. The survey was designed, and questions were framed accordingly and validatedby all the members of the committee.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The survey on “Global Supply Chain Management Issues in Clinical Laboratories” has been
circulated among the various National Representatives. On getting the results back, analysis
and presentation of data will be done.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. Sedef Yenice with C-CLM members submitted a proposal to AACC University for the2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting to be held July 23-27, 2023, at the Anaheim
Convention Centre in Anaheim, CA- Proposal Title: “The Laboratory Leader as Strategist: Extending Boundaries forClinical Laboratory Influence and Impact”
2. PM delivered an invited faculty lecture on & “Ethics in Laboratory Medicine” in thenational CME on Bioethics in Medicine, organised by the Department of Biochemistry,
AIIMS Gorakhpur, on 19 October 2022
3. MA delivered an invited talk on “Strategic Planning in Laboratory
Medicine” in Ohio Collaborative Laboratory Conference, April 2022
4. MG delivered an invited talk on “Crossing the chasm: Strategies for digitaltransformation in clinical laboratories” in EFLM 3rd Strategic Conference
5. RE delivered multiple invited talks at:- Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Malaysia, 20 July 2022. Title of talk:Industrial Role in Health Sciences Education: Collaboration and Networking- National Pathology Conference, Malaysia- 17 August 2022. Title of talk: Risk
Management- 32nd MACB Conference- 12 September 2022. Title of talk: The Impact of Act 774
on Medical Laboratory Scientist Profession in Malaysia- Roche Experience Day (RED) - 16 November 2022. Title of talk: The New Eraof Laboratory Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities- Association of Scientific Officers, Ministry of Health, Malaysia Continuing Education
Program on 22 April 2022 (Title of talk: Medical Lab Scientists: Challenges &Opportunities) and 6 December 2022 (Title of talk: Building a Successful Career
as a Medical Lab Scientist)
6. MG participated in an IFCC webinar on “Data-driven Operations and Machine Learning
Applications in Clinical Laboratories” held on 23 May 2022. Title of the talk was “Therole of digital transformation in improving clinical laboratory management”

762022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)• IFCC C-CLM had a functional group meeting in the IFCC World lab Congress 2022
in Seoul on 28 June 2022.
• C-CLM met for the IFCC general body meeting held in Brussels on 28 October 2022.
• C-CLM met via zoom conference calls arranged on 2 September 2022 and7 November 2022.
Total meetings = 4 (In person-2, Virtrual-2)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
• Functional committee meeting of IFCC C-CLM has been scheduled on EFLM
EuroMedLab-IFCC World Lab Congress at Rome (23 May 2023)• One virtual meeting was completed on 18th February 2023.
• At least two more virtual meetings will be planned.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. Banerjee M, Shekhawat J, Sharma P. Breathomics – the Way Forward Towards a Mask
Free World. Ind J Clin Biochem 37, 379–380 (2022).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-022-01092-2
2. Mitra P, Sharma P. E-Learning in Clinical Chemistry: Indian Scenario. Ind J Clin Biochem
37, 255–256 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-022-01063-7
3. Banerjee M, Sharma P. Liquid Biopsy: The Way Forward for Precision Medicine. Ind J
Clin Biochem 37, 129–130 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-022-01038-8
4. Nichols JH, Ali M, Anetor JI, Chen LS, Chen Y, Collins S, Das S, Devaraj S, Fu L, Karon
BS, Kary H, Nerenz RD, Rai AJ, Shajani-Yi Z, Thakur V, Wang S, Yu HYE, Zamora
LE. AACC Guidance Document on the Use of Point-of-Care Testing in Fertility andReproduction. J Appl Lab Med. 2022 Sep 1;7(5):1202-1236. doi: 10.1093/jalm/jfac042.
PMID: 36047824
5. Fnu R, Ali M. Prenatal Biomarkers-Spontaneous vs. In Vitro Fertilization. Aug.30.2022(https://www.aacc.org/science-and-research/scientific-shorts/2022/prenatalbiomarkers-spontaneous-vs-invitro-fertilization)
Conference presentations and webinars are already mentioned in previous boxes.

Committee for the Education in the Use of Biomarkers in Diabetes (C-EUBD)
Chair Emma English (UK)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To maintain and further develop the network of reference laboratories for themeasurement of HbA1c (through collaboration with C-TLM)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Continue to provide oversight of IFCC HbA1c Reference Laboratory network: The
committee continues to have oversight of the Reference Laboratory Network and will
receive an annual report for the network coordinator for consultation and feedback. With77

thanks to Carla Siebelder for the presentation of this data from the 2022 IFCC HbA1c
Kotten study (presented at the end of the meeting).
2. Continue to expand and deliver the EurA1c study – The committee received updates
on progress of the EurA1c study in May and October. At the May meeting the goalof “a publication submitted to Clinical Chemistry on behalf of the IFCC-EUBD by theend of the year, if deemed appropriate by the committee” was discussed an it was
felt that it was not yet the time to consider another publication from the EurA1c
as it warranted further analysis as to the impact of Covid-19 on sample distribution
and analysis, with several laboratories unable to receive fresh whole blood samples.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. The next update from the Reference laboratory network will be in Rome 2023.
2. At the October committee meeting a presentation was provided by Carla Siebelder
on the EurA1c 2021 trial data. It was agreed that CS and EE will now progress thisfurther in and present an outline publication plan in due course. Evidence: a publication
submitted to Clinical Chemistry on behalf of the IFCC-EUBD by the end of the year with
first drafts ready in Q1.
Term of reference 2, 3 and 6
To work in partnership with WHO and IDF to continue to promote the reporting of HbA1c
in line with the consensus statement
To work in partnership with WHO and IDF to facilitate the development and implementationof international guidelines for the use of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes
To work with WHO and TF-POCT to recommend best practice in the use of POCT
methods for the measurement of HbA1c
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
1. Development of guidelines for the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification of
BGM and POCT HbA1c devices – This activity has been a great success in promoting
the work of the committee and IFCC more broadly. The draft TSS documents for both
HbA1c POCT and blood glucose measurement have been completed. Members of
this and other committees or working groups of the IFCC (WG-GMECC, C-POCT, SD)
were actively and extensively involved in both the drafting and critical review of the
documents
2. Initial stages to set up a Prequalification Laboratory for WHO – Work has started on next
phase of this activity is to work with WHO to create the first Prequalification Evaluation
Laboratory (PEL) for HbA1c, which is required in order for the prequalification process
to be completed. The PEL is commissioned to undertake independent evaluations of
products on behalf of WHO.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. The documents are available for public consultation until Feb 2023 after which we willcontinue to work with WHO to refine the guidance based on the feedback.
2. The PEL is commissioned to undertake independent evaluations of products on behalfof WHO. Currently, the guidelines (devised by committee members) require the useof secondary reference measurement procedures for value assignment of evaluation
samples for HbA1c. This restricts the availability of laboratories worldwide however thecommittee will work with the EMD and SD to draw up plans to expand the network in
the longer term – likely 2024 and beyond. Evidence: application to WHO to become a
PEL for HbA1c POCT using IFCC SRMPs by the end of 2023.

78

Term of reference 4
To work with IFCC Corporate Members to develop a consensus position on theinformation to be included in the Instructions for Use (IFU) as it relates to the clinicaluse of HbA1c methods
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Undertake a listening exercise with the global manufacturers for HbA1c - As part of thisactivity we continued working with manufacturers to deliver Webinars and/or face
to face presentations or workshops on a regular basis. Manufacturers continue
to recognise the C-EUBD as a source of expert opinion and collaboration, in addition
to current requests for webinars and possible future face to face meetings,
we successfully delivered presentations at IFCC-EFLM EuroMedLab Munich 2022 andtwo symposia at the IFCC WorldLab meeting in Seoul. In addition to these symposia,
members of the committee have undertaken webinars for Menarini Diagnostics,
Siemens Diagnostics and Arkray Diagnostics. EL has also provided training for
HemoCue, Menarini Diagnostics, Trinity Biotech and QuidelOrtho.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. A listening exercise will be undertaken at the joint IFCC-NGSP meeting hosted at the
AACC congress in 2023 as the first time most manufacturer representatives will be able
to attend. This was not undertaken in 2022 due to many people still being unable totravel due to Covid-19

Term of reference 5 and 7
Develop quality targets for the measurement of HbA1c and other biomarkers, and on
the basis of these targets, and in conjunction with professional bodies, advise on theuse of biomarkers for monitoring, diagnosis and screening of diabetes and glucose
intolerance.
To evaluate the clinical value of emerging biomarkers (e.g. glycated albumin) for the
management of patients with diabetes and to establish whether there is a case formethod harmonisation of effective new biomarkers
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Further develop our understanding of the analytical and clinical utility of glycatedalbumin (GA) measurement Task A - A publication on Understanding the harmonisationof glycated albumin methods (which includes data from analytical studies by EL and EK)
is now in final draft form.
2. Further develop our understanding of the analytical and clinical utility of glycatedalbumin (GA) measurement – Task B - produce a systematic review article on the clinicalutility of GA in diabetes. A detailed protocol was drafted an initial searches undertaken.
A systematic review article published mid 2022 covered one of the core topics weintended to cover. This necessitated adjustments to the protocol including extensive
discussions in the October meeting. The changes have been made to the protocol, thesearches have been completed and final selection of articles is underway.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. The article will be finalised and submitted in Q1-2 of 2023
2. The publication aim was end of 2022 however due to the need to adjust the focus thiswill now be Q1 of 2023.

79

Term of reference 8
To evaluate the emerging importance of post translational modification derived products(PTMDPs), and especially Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), and work withProfessional bodies on the best way of developing these for use in diabetes.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The activities here link to 5 and 7 above but no further activities have been undertaken.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
N/A
Term of reference 9
To monitor the literature and advise on best practice in relation to laboratory aspects
of diabetes.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of ReferenceŠkrha J Jr, Horová E, Šoupal J, Valeriánová A, Malík J, Prázný M, Zima T, Kalousová M, Škrha J.
Skin autofluorescence corresponds to microvascular reactivity in diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes
Complications. 2022 Jul;36(7):108206. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2022.108206.
Lenters-Westra E, English E. The never ending story of Hb-variants interferences on themeasurement of HbA1c. Clin Chim Acta. 2022 Jul 1;532:61-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.05.019.
Kilpatrick ES. Cardiac Troponin as a Marker of Heart Failure Risk in Diabetes. Clin Chem. 2022
Oct 6;68(10):1232-1234. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac124.
Ponirakis G, Al-Janahi I, Elgassim E, Gad H, Petropoulos IN, Khan A, Ali H, Siddique MA, Gul W,
Ferdousi M, Kalteniece A, Mohamed FF, Ahmed LH, Dakroury Y, El Shewehy AM, Al-Mohamedi
A, AlMarri F, Homssi M, Qazi M, Hadid NH, Al-Khayat F, Mahfoud ZR, Azmi S, Alam U, Zirie
MA, Al-Ansari Y, Jayyousi A, Rigby AS, Kilpatrick ES, Atkin SL, Malik RA. Progressive loss ofcorneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication
associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes. J Diabetes Investig. 2022 Oct;13(10):17031710. doi: 10.1111/jdi.13864.
Kilpatrick ES, Butler AE, Ostlundh L, Atkin SL, Sacks DB. Controversies Around the Measurementof Blood Ketones to Diagnose and Manage Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Diabetes Care. 2022 Feb
1;45(2):267-272. doi: 10.2337/dc21-2279. Erratum in: Diabetes Care. 2022 Mar 03;: PMID:
35050366; PMCID: PMC8897555.
Kengne AP, Matsha TE, Sacks DB, Zemlin AE, Erasmus RT, Sumner AE. Combining HbA1c
and glycated albumin improves detection of dysglycaemia in mixed-ancestry South Africans.
EClinicalMedicine. 2022 May 23;48:101443. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101443.
Kirkman MS, Sacks DB. Glycated Albumin: Added Value or Redundancy in Diabetes Care? Clin
Chem. 2022 Mar 4;68(3):379-381. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab261.
Di Molfetta S, Patruno P, Cormio S, Cignarelli A, Paleari R, Mosca A, Lamacchia O, De Cosmo
S, Massa M, Natalicchio A, Perrini S, Laviola L, Giorgino F. A telemedicine-based approachwith real-time transmission of blood glucose data improves metabolic control in insulin-treateddiabetes: the DIAMONDS randomized clinical trial. J Endocrinol Invest. 2022 Sep;45(9):16631671. doi: 10.1007/s40618-022-01802-w.

80

Ceccarelli Ceccarelli D, Paleari R, Solerte B, Mosca A. Re-thinking diabetic nephropathy:
Microalbuminuria is just a piece of the diagnostic puzzle. Clin Chim Acta. 2022 Jan 1;524:146153. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.11.009.
Schleicher E, Gerdes C, Petersmann A, Müller-Wieland D, Müller UA, Freckmann G, Heinemann
L, Nauck M, Landgraf R. Definition, Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Exp Clin
Endocrinol Diabetes. 2022 Sep;130(S 01):S1-S8. doi: 10.1055/a-1624-2897.

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Publications on EurA1c, 2x glycated albumin, 2x educational materials and WHO guidance areplanned for 2023

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional activities include:
Manufacturers who attain WHO prequalification of their products will be able to offer those
products for supply to procurement agencies and organizations that apply quality assurance
policies to all health product procurement. This includes all of the major sources of large
scale funding for health provision in LMICs, as such it is essential for manufacturers to obtainpre-qualification if they wish to participate in these large global markers. The prequalification
process includes several elements: a dossier of evidence provided by the manufacturer which
details analytical performance of the device in question in both laboratory evaluation and clinicalsettings, a label comprehension study, site visits to the manufacturing sites of the devices andreagents and an independent evaluation of analytical performance.
The dossier of evidence is based on the TSS (see activity 7) the label comprehension study use
defined WHO criteria as do the WHO led site visits. The final element (independent evaluation
study) is undertaken by a WHO approved prequalification evaluation laboratory (PEL). EE an EL
were asked to draft and revise the guidelines for PELs approved to undertake the independent
review of HbA1c and glucose devices. These documents were also reviewed at the expert
panel meeting held by WHO in November.
Currently there are no PEL for HbA1c or BGM therefore we are planning on making a submission
to WHO to become the PEL for HbA1c devices in the first instance. The protocol currently
requires methods to be compared to the IFCC secondary reference measurement procedures,of which there are a limited number. The European Reference Laboratory (ERL) acts as the leadfor the IFCC network (see activity 1) and therefore is a natural choice for this activity. In thelong run the aim is to expand the provision of SRMPs to LMICs, however this will have to be
discussed further by the IFCC in due course.
Develop an educational output for the IFCC e-Academy – ABO suggested the committee
contribute to the IFCC webinar series giving seminars on biomarkers for diabetes. This will
include both GA and HbA1c. This activity is ongoing and will be based on the findings of thepapers in activity 3 and the analytical quality of POCT HbA1c as well as the clinical utility of
POCT HbA1c in LMICs.
Development of educational material for allied health professionals such as dieticians – The initialgroup of AHPs, dietitians, was proposed however this was expanded to a range of clinical (butnon laboratory or diabetology professionals) and AHP groups. EL, ES and EK have been leading
this topic and have developed a set of guidelines and flow charts to aid health professionals
in understanding the interpretation of diabetes biomarkers as this is a topic that previous workby the committee has been shown to be an area where there is a lack of understanding. The
81

guidelines will now be evaluated by health professionals such as diabetes specialist dietitians,
surgeons, anaesthetists etc in different clinical settings. This project is ongoing.
EE has authored the chapter on ‘monitoring diabetes’ for the upcoming Textbook of Diabetes,
6thedition, edited by Richard Holt ad Allan Flyvbjerg. Text is currently undergoing proofing andtypesetting.

2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)May 2023 Munich - hybrid
October 2023 Brussels – hybrid
Various one to one calls for individual projects

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Rome 2023

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
See ToR 4 and 9

Committee on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Bio-Markers (C-CB)
Chair Fred Apple (US)ACTIVITY 1
Finalize ‘Clinical Scorecard’ study, involving data analysis, submission of abstracts tomeetings (AACC, IFCC, AHA) and submit manuscript for publication (Clinical Chemistry).
Action: This study, unfortunately is still not completed, as final data set from Mayo subgroupstill pending. As of March 2023, Mayo investigators have still not be able to finalize their data
set. Apple will discuss with new Chair Aagre as to plain of action moving forward.
ACTIVITY 2
Maintain the website for cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptide assay tables, revising
3 times a year. The hs-cTn table will be updated with materials used to calibrate
manufacturers assays & for traceability. In addition, upgrade the cardiac troponininterference table to include new interferences: macro-troponin, autoantibodies,
HAMAs, heterophile Abs.
Action: Updated tables on the C-CB website 3 times in 2022.
ACTIVITY 3
Will be upgrading and rebuilding the C-CB website update during the first six months of year.
Action: In collaboration with IFCC office (Sylvia Cardinale) Amy and Tricia finalized the upgradedwebsite that went live in February 2023.
82

ACTIVITY 4
The following educational papers (with podcasts) are in different stages of writing andwill be finalized and submitted for publication in the first 6 months of 2022.
a. macro-troponin interference
b. POC cardiac troponin assay recommendations
c. 99th percentile upper reference limits
d. hs-cTn in ruling out injury and MI
e. appraisal of 2021 AHA/ACC Chest Pain Guideline.
Action:a. Macro troponin paper has been accepted for publication in CCLM 2023.
b. POC troponin paper has been accepted for publication in CCLM 2023.
c. 99th percentile upper reference limits paper was published in Clinical Chemistry:
Aakre K, Ordonez-Llanos J, Saenger A, Body R, Collinson PO, Hammarsten O, Jaffe
A, Kavsak P, Omland T, Apple FS. Analytical Considerations in Deriving 99th Percentile
Upper Reference Limits for High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays: Educational
Recommendations from the IFCC Committee on Clinical Application of Cardiac BioMarkers. Clin Chem 2022;68:1022-30.
d. hs-cTn in ruling out injury and MI paper in final stages of revisions and expected
to be submitted end of January/early February 2023 to JACC
e. Appraisal of 2021 AHA/ACC Chest Pain Guideline paper published: Sandoval Y, Apple
FS, Mahler S, Body R, Collinson P, Jaffe A. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin and the2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guidelines for the Evaluation andDiagnosis of Acute Chest Pain. Circulation 2022;146:569-581.
f. Other papers published:a. Collinson P, Apple FS. Caveat emptor - hidden pitfalls in defining the 99th percentile
of cardiac troponin assays. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2021;59:e345-e347.
b. Wang A, Sandoval Y, Apple FS, Homme J, Jaffe AS; IFCC Committee on ClinicalApplications of Cardiac Bio-Markers. The need to develop clinical guidance forthe use of high-sensitivity troponin in pediatric and neonatal patients. Clin Chem.
2022;68:884-886.
ACTIVITY 5
Have monthly zoom C-CB meetings, with minutes posted on C-CB website.
Action: The C-CB held 9 zoom monthly meetings in 2022, with minutes distributed, as well as
one in-person meeting at July AACC, Chicago 2022
ACTIVITY 6
Participate in and have in-person meetings at the following meetings (COVID dependent):a. EuroMedLab meeting in Munich April 2022
Action: no meeting held.
b. IFCC WorldLab in Seoul
Action: no meeting held.
c. AACC 2022
Action: In-person meeting at July AACC, Chicago.
ACTIVITY 7
Initiate planning to test pre and post COVID-19 specimens and pre and post vaccination83

specimens for marco-troponin interference for multiple hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT assays incooperation with assay manufacturers.
Action: Still in discussion phase, to be taken on by new Chair, 2023.
ACTIVITY 8
Submit to IFCC plan for 3 online education symposiums for 2022.
a. Analytical aspects of high sensitivity cardiac troponin assays
Action: Presented - 2 March 2022, Apple, Collinson, Aakre, Hammarsten
b. Clinical aspects of high sensitivity cardiac troponin assays
Action: presented - 6 April 2022 Apple, Jaffe, Body, Omlandc. Analytical and clinical aspects of natriuretic peptide assays
Action: presented - 26 April 2022 Ordonez-Llanos, Saenger, Kavsak, Lam
ACTIVITY 9Continue exploring the development of an ‘APP’ predicated on all the educationmaterials that have been developed and published over the past 11 years by the TFCB and the C-CB.
Action: at present APP project has been tabled do to complexity and financial commitments tothis project. Goal will be shifted to increase social media presence of activities of C-CB by othermeans, to be addressed in 2023.
ACTIVITY 10
Work with EMD and IFCC office to fill an opening on the C-CB.
Action: The C-CB in collaboration with IFCC office was successful in a) filling 4 committee
appoints in 2002, and selecting Dr. Kristin Aakre was ethe new Chair effective January 2023, asProfessor Apple’ terms expire at the end of 2022.
New Business Activities Not Initially Submitted
Actions:a. C-CB successfully initiated fund-raising activity with corporate members at difference
financial commitments to allow for anticipated reinstitution of in-person all day meetings
twice a year, supporting the educational goals.
b. Expanded Corresponding Members, nominated by Corporate Members
c. Expanded Corresponding Members, nominated by National Societies
Final Note:
As this is my last report as Chair of the IFCC C-CB, I wish to let the IFCC know that it has been
an honor to Chair this group for the past 6 years. The office staff in Milano has been exceptionally
supportive. Professor Rifai and Professor Lai have also been exceptionally supportive. Finally,
the ELT of the iFCC also has been instrumental in the growth and success of the committee,that started as a Task Force.
COMMENT FROM CHAIR
This is a very successful group that is making a great impact. Starting 2023 will have a newchair who I hope will continue to keep the group successful.

84Committee on Kidney Diseases
Chair Joe El Khoury (US)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1:
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. The Chair was a Guest Editor for Practical Laboratory Medicine and led the publicationof a Special Issue on “Advances in Detection of Acute Kidney Injury”, with somemembers of the committee contributing their own research to the special issue.
2. This activity resulted in 2 publications and one recorded podcast on this subject
3. Chair gave presentation at the IFCC-WorldLab Meeting in Seoul, South Korea
4. Committee led the development of an educational session that was approved andpresented at the 2022 AACC annual meeting. Dr. Joe El-Khoury was moderator for thesession and Drs. Pradip Datta (previous member) and Jesse Seegmiller were speakers.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Another Session proposal has been submitted for 2023 AACC annual meeting
2. Dr. Joe El-Khoury was invited to speak at the National Kidney Foundation on “Whatevery nephrologist should know about laboratory testing”
3. Committee will be meeting in person in Rome to approve list of recommendations
to laboratories worldwide
4. An invited Q&A on eGFR equations is in preparation for submission to Clinical Chemistry
5. An IFCC webinar is in preparation. Currently seeking speakers with the hope ofpresenting this in 2023 or 2024.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)••••

Kick-off virtual meeting held on Feb 23, 2022
Virtual meeting held on June 8, 2022
Session at AACC Annual Meeting on July 25, 2022
No Meetings held between September and December due to Chair on paternity leave

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
• Virtual Call held on Feb 21, 2023
• In-person meeting planned for IFCC-Rome (Sunday, May 21)• Virtual Call planned for Nov 30, 2023
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSPUBLICATIONS
1. Joe M. El-Khoury. IFCC’s Committee on Kidney Disease (C-KD): an update. IFCCeNews.
2022 (March). Link: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479334/ifccenewsmarch2022.pdf
2. Chung JC, Jones GRD. The Effect of Acute Changes in Glomerular Filtration Rateon Common Biochemical Tests. Practical Laboratory Medicine. 2022;e00280
c. Jones GRD. eGFR – 10 years on from the KDIGO Global Recommendations. APFCB
News. 2022 Issue 2
4. Teresa K Chen, Steven G Coca, Heather R Thiessen-Philbrook, Hiddo J L Heerspink,85

Wassim Obeid, Joachim Ix, Linda Fried, Joseph V Bonventre, Joe M El-Khoury, Michael
G Shlipak, Chirag R Parikh. Urinary Biomarkers of Tubular Health and Risk for Kidney
Function Decline or Mortality in Diabetes. Am J Nephrol. 2023 doi: 10.1159/000528918.
Online ahead of print.
5. Verma A, Villalba-Figueroa C, Choucair I, El-Khoury JM. A case of spuriously low serum
creatinine concentrations in a patient with acetaminophen poisoning. Clin Chim Acta.
2022;535:195-196.
6. El-Khoury JM [EDITORIAL for special issue on AKI Guest Edited by Dr. Joe ElKhoury]. Advances in laboratory detection of acute kidney injury. Pract Lab Med.
2022;31:e00287.
7. [Podcast]: Joe El-Khoury. Advances in Laboratory Detection of Acute Kidney
Injury. Practical Lab Med Podcast Series. 2023. https://open.spotify.com/
show/1G5T374N0aq8U9tliuq39r
PRESENTATIONS
1. Joe El-Khoury moderated session on “Updates on Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis:
New Race Neutral eGFR, Measured GFR, and Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio” that
included Drs. Pradip Datta and Jesse Seegmiller as speakers
2. Joe El-Khoury presented a session at International Federation for Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), Seoul, South Korea on: “Clinical Utility of Biomarkersof Acute Kidney Injury”
3. Joe El-Khoury presented a session at AACC-Middle East, Dubai, UAE on: “Updates
to Biomarkers and Equations in the Assessment of Kidney Injury and Disease”

Committee on Point-of-Care Testing (C-POCT)
Chair Adil I Khan (CA)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To promote quality in the use, performance, interpretation and reporting of POCT acrossthe full spectrum of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
Position paper: “Point-of-Care Testing performed by healthcare professionals outside thehospital setting.”
This paper has gone through several revisions and is ready for submission in 2023.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Work on Position Paper: “Educating non-healthcare consumers on Over-the-Counter
Point-of-Care Testing.”
2. Quality Control Management in Point-of-Care Testing: Recommendations for Primary
Care Physicians.

86Term of reference 2
To create a forum for high level discussion on a wide range of POCT related topics
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. EUROMEDLAB in Munich, April 10-14, 2022: presented symposium:“How does Point of Care Testing change the clinical pathways?”
Chairs: A. I. Khan and E. Jacobs
Speakers were:a. Point-of-Care Testing: A win-win for all players
Adil I. Khan (USA) – from C-POCT
b. Is Internal (and External?) Quality Control Necessary for POCT?
Ellis Jacobs (USA) – from C-POCT
The role of POC-testing in the clinical pathway of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Mette C Tollånes (Norway)
Testing for anti-mullerian Hormone: analytical performances and usability of a Pointof-Care assay.
Damien Gruson (Belgium)
Hemolysis detection with the H-10 HemCheck device in whole blood and plasma
STAT samples
A. Garcia Osuna (Spain)
2. National Summit on Point-of Care Testing (hybrid meeting), Hotel Pride Plaza, Aerocity,
New Delhi, India. Apr 10, 2022
a. POCT – “the new normal.” Dr. Adil .I. Khanb. Traditional vs New- age POCT: Dr Sohini Sengupta
c. The 6 Rs for the elimination of errors in POCT: Dr Rajiv Erasmus
3. POCT in Pakistan: The Way Forward (Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Virtually
via zoom. Sept 10, 2022.
a. POCT: a “win-win” scenario for all involved: Dr. Adil I. Khanb. POCT Implementation at AKU: Dr. Lena Jafri
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. “POCT: Developing Community Resilience” IFCC Webinar
Moderator – Dr. Adil I. Khana. Real-life performance of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. Dr. Julie Shawb. The COVID-19 Spatial Care Path: Home, Community, and Emergency Diagnostic
Portals. Dr. Gerald J. Kost.
c. How Point of Care Testing has leveraged Infectious Disease Management andOutcomes in Africa. Dr. Rajiv Erasmus.
2. IFCC-PSCP 1st Symposium on Point-of-Care Testing: POINT-OF-CARE TESTING:
BRIDGING THE DISPARITY GAP IN HEALTHCARE. Islamabad, Pakistan March 9-10,
2023

87

Speakers:• How Can Point-of-Care Testing Bridge the Healthcare Disparity Gap?
- Dr. Adil Khan
• POCT Experience in Shifa International Hospital - Dr. Ghazanfar Abbas• QA Practices for POCT Program in Pakistan: From Briefing to Experience- Dr. Lena Jafri• POCT Accredetation - Dr. Muhammad Aamir• POCT in general practice and primary care - Dr. Samarina Musaad• Use of cardiac Troponin in Rural Australia - Rosy Tirimacco• Markers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) - Dr. Paul Jarvis• Medical economics - blood management using TEG/ROTEM - Dr. Michel
Vaubourdolle• Quality Assurance Audits and Monitoring of Quality Indicators for POCT - Dr. Julie
Shaw• Quality Assurance in POCT: New developments in ABG - Dr. Dr. Sohini Sengupta• How to set up a POCT service / program - Marianne Mulder• How to troubleshoot inaccurate results - Dr. Prasad Pamini• Identifying and using quality indicators - Dr. Paloma Oliver• Home, Community, and Emergency Spatial Care Paths, Diagnostic Portals
for COVID-19, Critical Care, & Superstorm - Dr. Gerald Kost
• Workshop - Roche Team + Ms, Afshan + Dr. A. I. Khan
3. IFCC C-POCT Satellite Symposium at EUROMEDLAB – WORLDLAB. Point-of-CareTesting: Home, Hospital and Beyond, May 19-20, 2023 3. IFCC C-POCT Satellite
Symposium at EUROMEDLAB – WORLDLAB. Point-of-Care Testing: Home, Hospitaland Beyond, May 19-20, 2023

Term of reference 3
To provide international leadership for developing the clinical practice of POCTin Laboratory Medicine.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Position paper: “Point-of-Care Testing performed by healthcare professionals outside
the hospital setting.”
This paper has gone through several revisions and is ready for submission in 2023.
2. National Summit on Point-of Care Testing (hybrid meeting), Hotel Pride Plaza, Aerocity,
New Delhi, India. Apr 10, 2022
a. POCT – “the new normal.” Dr. Adil .I. Khanb. Traditional vs New- age POCT: Dr Sohini Sengupta
c. The 6 Rs for the elimination of errors in POCT: Dr Rajiv Erasmus
3. Focus Group Discussion (Roche) – Indonesian Clinical Pathologists Association Online
and Mercure TB Simatupang, Indonesia 2nd July 2022. Internal and External Quality
Assurance in Point-of-Care Testing: Dr. Adil I. Khan
4. POCT in Pakistan: The Way Forward (Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Virtually
via zoom. Sept 10, 2022.
a. POCT: a “win-win” scenario for all involved: Dr. Adil I. Khanb. POCT Implementation at AKU: Dr. Lena Jafri
5. At the EUROMEDLAB in Munich, April 10-14, 2022 presented symposium:“How does Point of Care Testing change the clinical pathways?”
Chairs: Dr. Adil. I. Khan and Dr. Ellis Jacobs
88Speakers were:• Point-of-Care Testing: A win-win for all players
Adil I. Khan (USA) – from C-POCT• Is Internal (and External?) Quality Control Necessary for POCT?
Ellis Jacobs (USA) – from C-POCT• The role of POC-testing in the clinical pathway of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Mette C Tollånes (Norway)• Testing for anti-mullerian Hormone: analytical performances and usability of a Point-ofCare assay.
Damien Gruson (Belgium)• Hemolysis detection with the H-10 HemCheck device in whole blood and plasma STAT
samples
A. Garcia Osuna (Spain)
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. IFCC-PSCP 1st Symposium on Point-of-Care Testing: POINT-OF-CARE TESTING:
BRIDGING THE DISPARITY GAP IN HEALTHCARE. Islamabad, Pakistan March 9-10,2023
2. IFCC C-POCT Satellite Symposium at EUROMEDLAB – WORLDLAB. Point-of-CareTesting: Home, Hospital and Beyond, May 19-20, 2023.
3. “Quality Control Management in Point-of-Care Testing: Recommendations for Primary
Care Physicians.”
4. “Education materials for non-healthcare consumers regarding Over-the-Counter Pointof-Care Testing.”
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Communication on projects mediated mainly through e-mails to Committee Members
In-person and /virtual Seoul Monday 27th June 2022.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
To be held: May 20 2023 (in-person/virtual Rome)Completed:February 9, 10 and 11 2023 Via zoom (https://temple.zoom.us/j/98094515348)
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. EUROMEDLAB in Munich, April 10-14, 2022 presented symposium:“How does Point of Care Testing change the clinical pathways?”
Chairs: A. I. Khan and E. Jacobs
a. Point-of-Care Testing: A win-win for all players Adil I. Khan (USA)b. Is Internal (and External?) Quality Control Necessary for POCT? Ellis Jacobs (USA)
2. National Summit on Point-of Care Testing (hybrid meeting), Hotel Pride Plaza, Aerocity,
New Delhi, India. Apr 10, 2022
a. POCT – “the new normal.” Dr. Adil .I. Khanb. Traditional vs New- age POCT: Dr Sohini Sengupta
c. The 6 Rs for the elimination of errors in POCT: Dr Rajiv Erasmus
3. POCT in Pakistan: The Way Forward (Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Virtually
via zoom. Sept 10, 2022.
a. POCT: a “win-win” scenario for all involved: Dr. Adil I. Khanb. POCT Implementation at AKU: Dr. Lena Jafri
89

4. EORLA Pathology and Laboratory Medicine conference, May 2022. Identifying andreducing errors in POCT. Dr. Julie Shaw
5. Molecular Medicine Tri-Con Meeting, San Diego, Feb 2022. POCT for COVID-19:
Opportunities and Challenges. Dr. Julie Shaw
6. Medlab Asia Oct 19-21, 2022. How to design point-of-care strategies for island
populations displaced by global warming and rising oceans 2050. Dr. Gerald J Kost.
7. XIV Congress of Slovak Society of Clinical Biochemistry, October 9-11, 2022, Slovakia.
Workshop Basic Principles And Practical Aspects of POC Testing In Primary Health Care.
a. Important Aspects Of Establishing A Poc Quality System Outside Hospitals, The
Noklus Model. Dr. Sverre Sandberg:b. Education, Training, and Assessment Of POC Testing Competencies In Primary HealthCare, Dr. Ján Balla.

Committee for the Value Proposition in Laboratory Medicine
Chair Andrew St. John (AU)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To advocate adoption of the value proposition in laboratory medicine/healthcare
Continuing work in the form of peer-reviewed publications, congress symposia
and presentations to local meetings is required to describe and define the value
proposition in laboratory medicine and to advocate its widespread adoption. During
the first 3 years of this committee, it is intended that this work would be restricted
to laboratory medicine professionals albeit with interaction with appropriate
clinical specialists relevant to the particular tests As the group expands the body ofknowledge on the value proposition in firstly laboratory medicine and then in other
healthcare disciplines then this work can be extended.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Identifying the implementation process for specific tests:
Patient self-testing for INR - completion of final draft and submission for peer review
Actions: Paper submitted to Journal who have responded with request for major rewrite
which is underway.
Point-of-care testing for monitoring of HbA1C in diabetes – design of a trial to determine
the optimal measures for effective implementation.
Actions: Only preliminary literature search completed so far.
NT pro-BNP in non-acute settings – identifying the barriers to more widespread
implementation.
Actions: Literature search commenced in latter part of 2022.
High-sensitivity troponin – identify how implementation has proceeded in UK through auditof laboratories.
Actions: Workshop conducted in UK in June 22 with outcomes of two possible papers,
one paper on audit of group of local area labs using HST currently underway.
90

Actions: Second paper will be audit of financial outcomes from use of HST in one hospitalbut may need financial assistance to complete analysis.
ADAMTS-S use in the management of polycaethemia purpura in a US hospital
Actions: No progress
Identifying the barriers to effective test implementation:
Survey of processes associated with test introduction including adoption and implementationin different countries.
Develop an industry perspective of implementation that highlights the barriers that exist indifferent countries.
Actions:• Both projects extensively discussed including at two face to face meetings ofCommittee in 2022.
• A presentation on the barriers to test implementation was given to the 3rd EFLM
Strategic Conference, May 25-27 by Andrew St John. This presentation has beensummarised in a paper which will be published in Clin Chem Lab Med in early 2023
(see below)• Complexity of area has inhibited process but agreement to now provide a publisheddiscussion of the issues through a Q and A paper for Clinical Chemistry. Proposal to besubmitted to Clinical Chemistry in early 2023.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Application of an implementation framework to facilitate the local introduction of patient selfmonitoring of INR – paper to be redrafted and resubmitted for publication.
Preparation of a Q and A paper for Clinical Chemistry which will highlight how tests are introduced
and implemented in different healthcare systems.
Implementation process for application of NT-proBNP to heart failure diagnosis in primary care.
Examination of adoption and implementation of high-sensitive troponin (HST) use in the UK
including:a. experience with a 1hr chest pain pathway
b. audit of usage of HST in UK
c. determination of financial outcomes
Assessment of the variation in the structure of business cases employed in laboratory medicine
services prior to introduction of new tests.
Implementation of ADAMTS-S use in the management of polycaethemia purpura in a US hospital.
Examination of the process that industry uses to introduce new tests including the time taken
for full implementation.

Term of reference 2
Develop a compendium of tools for laboratory medicine specialists to establish the value
for individual medical tests within individual health care systems. Case studies will be
undertaken for specific medical tests according to the principles of the value propositionin specific healthcare systems. There is a need to develop the principles for the preparationof such case studies for publication in the current peer-reviewed journals in order thatthey reach the appropriate audience. This work has been commenced and will continue
91

for 3 years. It will include test laboratories applying the value proposition framework
to a particular medical test and assessing the outcomes. At the end of this period it is
proposed that a compendium of tools generalisable for the preparation of documents
demonstrating the value proposition for any medical test will be described in a major
review publication.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Promotion of economic assessment tools to identify test value.
a. Organize and conduct a workshop for lab professionals to provide education andtraining in health economic principles using a previously developed spreadsheet based
tool, as applied to practical case studies.
Unfortunately the planned workshop at AACC in Chicago had to be cancelled dueto two of the speakers unable to travel to the meeting. A proposal has been submitted
to hold the workshop at the 2023 Anaheim meeting.
b. Publication of the spreadsheet based analysis tool and outcomes from the workshop.
The Committee has become aware of some possible legal liabilities associated withpublication of the economic analysis tool so this has delayed possible publication.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Application of economic modelling to show the value of testing – proposal to holdworkshop at AACC 2023 is pending.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Virtual (Zoom) meetings on:a. February 7, 2023
b. May 16, 2023
c. September 21
Face to face meetings:
a. July 3, 2023 - Birmingham, UK – Committee Meeting and Workshop with AStJ, PJ, MoK& CPP
b. October 28, 2023 - Brussels, Belgium – Committee Meeting at General Conference with
AStJ, MoK and PJ
6. MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Virtual (Zoom) meetings planned for:February, April, July, September, December
Face to face meetings:
c. May in Rome at EuroMedLabd. 2nd half of 2023
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. St John A et al. Improved implementation of medical tests – barriers and opportunities.
Accepted for publication in Clin Chem Lab Med 2023.
2. St John A Presentation on the barriers to test implementation was given to the 3rd
EFLM Strategic Conference, May 25-27

92

Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety (WG-LEPS)
Chair Mario Plebani (IT)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
There is an increasing interest in the activity of the WG and in particular the model of quality
indicators is receiving more and more interest with an increasing number of clinical laboratories
which attend the program
Further development are expected thanks to the interest by some USA and North America
important clinical laboratories and to the development of a software to automate the datacollection
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
ACTIVITY 1: Deliver lecturers, organize website presentations and publish further papers on
the activity of the IFCC WG and on the MQI. One of the first papers has been recently accepted
for a publication in Clin Chem Lab Med
ACTIVITY 2: Submit proposal for workshops, symposia, lecturers at the IFCC (EFLM, AACC)
congresses and at meetings of scientific societies which are members of the IFCC. A session
at the XXV IFCC-EFLM WorldLab-EUROMEDLAB Rome 2023 has been planned
ACTIVITY 3: Increase the number of National Leaders to further support the participation to
the MQI project of laboratories in all Countries with the involvement of the National Scientific
Societies. This project is currently “a working in progress” and in the first week of January 2023
a virtual meeting with US colleagues has been planned
ACTIVITY 4: Support the development/validation of a software for automated collection of dataon quality indicators
ACTIVITY 5: Involve National Accreditation Bodies, so that the IFCC MQI may be identified asa suitable tool and mandatory requirement to comply with the ISO 15189:2012 standard andto be used during onsite visits
ACTIVITY 6: Involve the most valuable international Providers of EQAS/PT (i.e. NEQAS,
INSTAND, RfB, SEKK, IEQAS, NKK, DEKS etc.), to include QIs in the External Quality Assurance/
PT schemes and to harmonize eventually already included QIs
ACTIVITY 7: Discuss and promote any possible cooperation and collaboration with other IFCC
WGs and Committees
ACTIVITY 8: Plan a new (Third) Consensus Conference to update the list of QI, performance
specifications and goals of the project
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A new initiative on Quality Indicators in Point-of Care testing has been developed by the
Canadian Colleagues and a paper is under review
Colleagues from the Mas Gen Hospital in Boston have been appointed as national leader ofthe project
A new software has been developed and is under evaluation for automatically capture thedata for the indicators. It will be validated at least in for centers (2 in Europe and 2 in the North
America)932022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
a. CSCC Canadian Society of Clinical Chemistry on February 2022 a session dedicated to
the MQI with lecturesrs by Prof Mario Plebani, dr Laura Sciacovelli and Vincent DeGuireb. Helsinki March 2022 Labquality days. Lecture by Prof Plebanic. Sri Lanka College of Medical Pathologists (august 2022)
d. IFCC Expert Symposium in Iran (two lecturers by prof Plebani and Vincent de Guiree. Calilab 2022 September 2022
f. Virtual meeting with laboratories participating at the MQI program (September 13th 2022)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
IFCC WorldLab in Rome: meeting of the WG members (May 23th, 2023)
IFCC WorldLab in Rome: lecturers in a session
International Conference in Laboratory Medicine (Padova, September 20th) Lecture by Vincent
DeGuirePalestine (August 2023) lecture by M Plebani
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. Shcolnik W, da Silva Duarte AJ. Assessment of Culture and Laboratory Practices
Related to Patient Safety in Brazilian Laboratories. J Patient Saf. 2022
Oct 1;18(7):674-679.
2. Cadamuro J, Simundic AM. The preanalytical phase - from an instrument-centred
to a patient-centred laboratory medicine. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 4. doi:
10.1515/cclm-2022-1036.
3. Zaninotto M, Graziani MS, Plebani M. The harmonization issue in laboratory medicine:
the commitment of CCLM. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 16.
doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-1111.
4. Plebani M. Quality in laboratory medicine and the Journal: walking together. Clin Chem
Lab Med. 2022 Aug 16. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0755. Epub ahead of print.
5. Sciacovelli L, Padoan A, Aita A, Basso D, Plebani M. Quality indicators in laboratory
medicine: state-of-the-art, quality specifications and future strategies. Clin Chem Lab
Med. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-1143

Flow cytometry Working group (WG- FC)
Chair Claude Lambert (FR)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Leipzig Flow cytometry IFCC/ WG Flow Cytometry Course
From 5 to 7 April 2022, we offered a flow cytometry course in Leipzig, Germany.
36 participants attended the hands-on course. Due to the continued high incidences of
Covid, the course had to be held as a 2G+ event.
The program started in the morning with 3 short lectures: Basics of cytometry, Data
94

acquisition and presentation as well as Multicolor cytometry in immunology were thetopics of the first day. From late morning to afternoon, three rotating practical exercises
were performed under supervision by experienced trainers: Immune Status (Completewith Compensation); Operation of the instrument, calibration, compensation, controls,
combination of antibodies; and Acquisition and handling of cytometric data, anonymizationof data for repositories, data presentation.
Second day followed the same scheme. We started with 3 lectures about Antigen-specific
T cells, Data evaluation and processing, and Cytometry in haematology. Practical work
was about Hematology, Antigen-specific T cells and Advanced analysis of cytometricdata, presentation of gating strategy, report writing.
Last day started with lectures about Functional studies, Sorting cells and Complex data
evaluation. Topics for practical work were Functional investigations, Limits of sorting andApplication examples for complex data analysis in flow cytometry.
Feedback by participants and trainers was very good.
2. National summer school on cytometry in Romania with the Romanian Associationof Cytometry on 15-16th of June In Bucharest University
The workshop has addressed the basis for diagnosis using flow cytometry for beginners
in medical diagnosis and research cursus. The workshop included basis on cytometry
and practicals in cell phenotyping, allergy and cytotoxicity tests.
Twenty students followed the course from different cities in Romania.
3. IFCC General Conference October 29th-30th Brussels (Belgium),
Participation to the meeting. Meet few members of the group. Meet other working groups.
Contact with people from Asia, Africa, Arabic countries.
4. National IFCC & Beckman Coulter Workshop on cytometry in Rabat Morocco
From 15 to 18th of November
Focusing on T and ILC lymphocytes from basic, lymphopoiesis and maturation process
to monitoring of pathologies including lymphoma, leukemia, primary Immunodeficiencies
The course will include lectures in the morning and practicals in the afternoon with wet lab(cell preparation and analysis on instrument) and numerical data analysis from real cases.
The course will be organized with the financial and technical support of Beckman Coulter
company.
The workshop focused on cell analysis of T cells and NK cells in clinical immunomonitoring (Claude Lambert, univ Hospital Saint-Etienne France, Anis LARBI Global
Medical and Scientific Affairs, Beckman Coulter ) and in lymphoproliferative syndromes(Mikael Roussel University Hospital Rennes France, representative of the CYTHEM
French speaking Association on cell analysis in hematology).
The participants attended the 3 full days the workshop composed of lectures (in french) in
the morning and practical’s in the afternoon with sample preparation, instrument settingsand data interpretation from clinical cases. Twenty-three experienced participants camefrom the main universities, National Institute of Hygiene (INH) and few other medicallaboratories of the central area around Rabat and Casablanca.

955. Egypt Workshop will be held on 12-19th of December at Al Azhar University(program joint).
The workshop will address the basis for diagnosis using flow cytometry for beginners,
mainly in medical diagnosis cursus. And one day of advanced methods in diagnosis ofleukemia and immunodeficiencies for experience people
The workshop gathered 38 medical biologists from Al-Azhar or Cario universities, the biggest
university in Egypt, but also from different parts of Egypt or abroad. Most people had experiencein diagnosis and had access to the instruments but were mainly beginners.
The lectures were performed during 2 days and a half, by experienced teachers form IFCC orfrom Al-Azhar university or National Cancer Institute and addressed technical bases and few
diagnosis applications in T cell quantification, cell cycle or first steps in hematological disorderscreening. The last half a day participants did practicals exercises on sample preparation,acquisition on an instrument and data analysis.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Workshop in Leipzig, Munich• Winterschool of Cytometry in immunology (actual, in Geneva 5-10th of march)• Workshop in Columbia in partnership with Beckman Coulter company (planned endof june)• Workshop on cytometry in Bucharest prior National Romanian meeting on cytometry(planned in may)
• Egypt Workshop beginning of December at Al Azhar University Cairo (plannedin December)
Still under discussion••••

Workshop in Morocco in partnership with Beckman Coulter
Workshop in India
Workshop in Balkans
Workshop in Palestine, or sub equatorial Africa

Term of reference 2
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Publication
A new story for an old challenge: Would flow cytometry beat molecular biology
in monitoring chimeric antigen receptor T cell pharmacokinetics?
Lambert C, Ntrivalas E, Sack U; flow cytometry working group of the international Federationof Clinical Chemistry (IFCC).
Cytometry A. 2023 Jan;103(1):8-11.
doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.24695. Epub 2022 Oct 18.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A new publication as much as possible

962022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
2 Tel conferences held from the whole working group
4 Tel conferences for the organization of the workshop in Latin America
Several mail exchanges for the organization of workshops in Egypt, in Africa
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Group Meeting in Roma May 2023
Tel conferences
Renewal of the team, introducing of new members
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
A new story for an old challenge: Would flow cytometry beat molecular biology in monitoring
chimeric antigen receptor T cell pharmacokinetics?
Lambert C, Ntrivalas E, Sack U; flow cytometry working group of the international Federationof Clinical Chemistry (IFCC).
Cytometry A. 2023 Jan;103(1):8-11. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.24695. Epub 2022 Oct 18.
9.04.01 Visiting Lecturer Programme (IFCC-VLP) - Chair: Sedef Yenice (TR)14 VLP were organized as per appended table.

97

98

99

13.02.00 Professional Exchange Programme (PSEP/PMEP)
In total 5 applications were approved: 4 PSEP (Professional Scientific Exchange Programme)
and 1 PMEP (Professional Management Exchange Programme), as per below table

The “Adaptive Learning Programme, a New EMD Initiative” has been implemented.
Nader Rifai, EMD Chair

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DIVISION (CPD)
Committee on Public Relations (C-PR)
Chair Rajiv T. Eramus (ZA)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Assist IFCC in improving its visibility to all laboratory professionals in their country ofresidence, their respective National Societies and Regional Federations where it applies.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Global MedLab 2022
3 members of C-PR Commiitee were part of this 7 member GMLW committee which was
led by IFCC President

100Members of C-PR interacted with GMLW committee to develop the short and long videos
advertising the Lab Professionals week in Munich as well as assisting with the developmentof posters. A booth commemorating the Lab Professionals Week was set up at the Munich
conference with a TV screen that displayed and shared multiple videos and interviews with key
officers of the IFCC.
The following posts were used for promoting the GMLW 2022. These posts were in English
and Spanish• Posts schedule English version: https://globalmedlabweek.org/post-en• Posts schedule Spanish version: https://globalmedlabweek.org/post-es
Both were in full versions (images and texts) for every day and were available from the week
before, during the GMLW and the week after.
70th Anniversary Celebrations
C-PR contacted National Champions regarding 70th anniversary celebrations(see memo sent)“As you may know many initiatives are taking place at IFCC level: celebrations, posters,interviews, history booklets. We are also publishing some interviews delineating the many
outstanding achievements of the IFCC over the past decades, the enormous achievements, themany important milestones that have been accomplished contributing to the IFCC’s missionof “Advancing excellence in laboratory medicine for better healthcare worldwide”. These
achievements have not only contributed to the growth of the IFCC but have had an important
impact on advancing the science of laboratory medicine and in vitro diagnostics around theworld. The future holds considerable promise for the IFCC organization and its family of nationalsocieties and corporate members. The strong foundation built by thousands of IFCC officers
over the past decades will ensure the IFCC’s continued journey towards global leadership inlaboratory medicine, contributing to its most valuable mission of improving clinical decision
making and better healthcare worldwide. You already saw some of these nice interviews on the
IFCC eNews. We want to involve you in these celebrations, and we want to hear from you whatplans and suggestions you have for your societies to celebrate this important anniversary. We
look forward to receiving your feedback: the most interesting initiatives will be shared so thateveryone can benefit from them”.
a. Collaboration with TF-YS, WG-IANT and TF-H
C-PR collaborated with TY-FS in publishing the 70th anniversary magazine as well assome of the podcasts and interviews.
25 videos that consisted of congratulatory messages were shown in a loop outside theplenary room meeting at IFCC General Conference, Brussels
b. IFCC e News
Short interviews with IFCC officers were published at regular intervals in IFCC Newsc. Production of 1-minute videos with contributions from 20 IFCC officers“IFCC is celebrating 70 years of its foundation, and you have been selected as one of the
20 leaders in IFCC who generate positive momentum and development in strengthening
it. For this reason, we request a 1-minute video so that you can send your greetings andmessage to the IFCC on this special occasion”.
25 videos that consisted of congratulatory messages were shown in a loop outside theplenary room meeting at IFCC General Conference, Brussels

101

d. 70th Anniversary Story Board
Video highlighting the IFCC membership: since when each IFCC member joined the IFCC.
It also included were past IFCC presidents and corporate members. This was an animatedgraphic with a flattened globe at the top which starts with just countries in outline with atimeline graphic underneath. As the timeline counts up from 1950 individual countries (inthe form of an outline in the colour of their flags) fly into place on the globe on the year
they joined IFCC and remain in place until we reach 2022 when the map should show all
current members of IFCC and their flags.
e. 70th Anniversary and Global MedLab Booth, IFCC General Conference
The story board video with the list of all flags of each member society and corporate
member banners with stepwise addition of members for each decade was displayed at
the Global Medlab booth at the IFCC general conference in Brussels,.
It also included an interview with IFCC president as well as video clips of interviews
with IFCC Officers. All were displayed on screen in the MedLab Professionals booth inBrussels.
f. 70th Anniversary /Magazine
C-PR compiled this 270-page magazine to celebrate the 70th anniversary of IFCC.
It depicted the achievements of IFCC, publications and major milestones.
AACC Newswise
The following items were sent to AACC to be posted to their virtual press room on Newswise.
• IFCC Awards• IFCC 70th years + link to the interview to Prof Adeli• Call for Studies - TF OSLM project• Univants• IFCC WorldLab/EuroMedLab in Rome
WebEdge TV Services
In discussion with this professional TV Company who cover conferences and make video clips
with interviews. Had 2 meetings with them. They usually cover big conferences that have morethan 2500 attendees so Rome conference would certainly attract them.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Live my Lab Project (2023)
Following the IFCC General conference in Brussels in October 2022, the C-PR and TF-YS agreed
to collaborate in the Live my Lab project. The aim of this project is to show case the work oflaboratory professionals and their environment and how this impacts on disease diagnosis andpatient management.
Edition of 6 videos, initiative "Live my Lab" for IFCC Global Medicine Week (together with TFYS) in 4 languages
2. Promotional video material from last year to incorporate date 4th week (23rd to 29th
April 2023)
3. Edition of Podcasts - Book 70th anniversary (in 4 languages)
Interact with WebEdge services to televise IFCC WorldLab Dubai in 2024

102

Term of reference 2• Assist IFCC in improving its visibility to all laboratory professionals in their countryof residence, their respective National Societies and Regional Federations where it
applies.
• Act as IFCC ambassadors by promoting IFCC and the field of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine to laboratory professionals in their respective country ofresidence, their National Societies and Regional Federations where it applies.
• To promote IFCC activities to National Representatives on a regular basis throughthe use of social media tools (e.g., WhatsApp/Telegram groups) such that thesecommunications can be effectively communicated to their respective members.
• To monitor how effectively are IFCC communications being shared by the National
Representatives with their respective members.
Promote the field of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine to the lay public, healthcare
administrators and decision makers in their respective country of residence.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
70th anniversary logo
C-PR Committee assisted in selecting the logo for the 70th anniversary celebration.
CPR asked that IFCC Communications, slides and presentations should include this logo
The C-PR organized the “First annual Global Art Competition in honour of IFCC 70th
Anniversary”.
Submission guidelines were as follows IFCC is inviting members to submit artwork which
can include paintings, digital photography or videography that relates to the field of laboratory
medicine and the vital role of laboratorians. Please submit your name, contact e-mail, affiliation,
country along with a short description of your contribution in English.
All submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges appointed by C-PR and a cash prize of 500
euros was given to the best submission. This was later extended to include the 2nd and 3rd best
submissions. The winner was announced at the IFCC General Conference held in Brussels,
Belgium on 25th October. The winners were:
1. URUGUAY (500 €)2. SINGAPORE 2 (300€)
3. IRAN 2 (200€)
Then we added 2 additional prizes (100 euros each) for INDONESIA and ITALY
Preparation of a Welcome pack for new members (attached)
The PR Committee is proposing that every new member should be presented with a welcome
pack and a certificate of membership. The welcome pack could also include the history bookas well as the IFCC milestones.
IFCC Slide Deck for presentation at meetings (attached)
The original slide deck that was used prior to 2021 has been considerably changed andshortened (14 slides only and the visuals look much better). The final version that is presented
underwent several changes and may still be modified and is not cast in stone. There is anotherone that will be presented to Corporates and the last one to National Societies.
103

Selection and appointment of National Champions to promote Public Relations
Activities
Communication with member societies continued to be a challenge and therefore it wasrecommended that we appoint national champions that will focus on PR activities.
Letter sent out on 19th January asking member societies to nominate members,
the purpose of having champions/ambassadors is to facilitate communication among IFCC andcountries worldwide. Then it makes sense that we, C-PR committee members, are championsof our respective countries. It was also suggested that members of C-PR serve as champions
in their respective countries. It was further agreed that wherever possible we include young
scientists to serve as additional champions.
Letters sent out to national representatives asking them to nominate champions who
would correspond directly with PR Committee and also liase with their respective national
representatives/Presidents. The response has been quite positive though 20% of member
societies have yet to nominate national champions despite reminders being sent. Thoughcommunication has improved it still remains a challenge
Request to National Champions to participate in Global MedLab Week 2023
A letter was sent to all national champions requesting them to suggest ideas to celebrate therole of laboratory professionals. Excerpt of the letter sent is appended below:“IFCC Global Medicine Week is additionally an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the roleof Specialists in Lab Medicine and other Lab professionals in improving health and patient carein every corner of the world. To help us achieve this goal, members of the C-PR together with
Task Force Young Scientists (TF-YS) would like to work with National IFCC Champions andAssociation Representatives to develop plans for promoting Laboratory Medicine to the publicin their countries”.
The response to this was not satisfactory with a response rate of less than 20%.
Short written interviews with National Representatives of Member Societies
A letter of invitation was sent out to all national representatives requesting them to take part ina written interview. Several written interviews with national representative of member societies
were carried out and these interviews were published in the 70th anniversary magazine alongwith their respective photographs.
“IFCC was founded in July 1952. For this reason, we are celebrating its 70th anniversary, andyour opinion is very important to fulfill our mission in Laboratory Medicine. Therefore, we would
like that you fill in the attached form: your answers to the questions will be published in a special
IFCC magazine. We want your organization to be part of this IFCC 70th anniversary magazine,
so your opinion is very valuable to us”.
The response was good though it could have been better as no responses were received fromsome societies.
Feedback from Global MedLab Week 2022
C-PR contacted all the National Champions about their respective activities that took place
during GMLW in April 2022
“Further to our last communication (below) we are seeking further information on how the
Global MedLab Week was celebrated in your country. We kindly ask you to send us the data104

on the results of this year’s campaign on the theme that demonstrated the added value of lab
medicine with the message: “Laboratory’s Vital Role in the Global Fight against the COVID-19
Pandemic”. In addition, we ask you to forward any suggestions you may have to make the public
in your country aware of the contributions of lab medicine and lab professionals to improving
healthcare and safeguarding lives. We will then share the best ideas among all National MedLab
Week Champions as proposals for the continuing awareness activities. We look forward toreceiving your feedback by 31st July.
The feedback received was accettable.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Live my Lab Project (2023)
Following the IFCC General conference in Brussels in October 2022, the C-PR and TF-YS
agreed to collaborate in the Live my Lab project. The aim of this project
Edition of videos, initiative "Live my Lab" for IFCC Global Medicine Week (together with TF-YS)
in 4 languages
2. Promotional material from last year to incorporate date 4th week (23rd to 29th April 2023)
3. Edition of Podcasts - Book 70th anniversary (in 4 languages)
LabWeek Booth Rome 2023
C-PR would like to thank MZ Events for providing a booth for MedLab Week at IFCC/EuroMedLab
Conference in Rome (21-25 May 2023)
Love my Lab project (2023/24)
This project will focus on patient experiences and stories relation/ng to how lab professionals
have contributed to their health and well-being.

Term of reference 3• Identify key PR tools and make recommendations to the CPD, other divisions
and/or EB.
• Develop and update promotional materials, through the CPD, on the IFCC
organization and activities, as well as the discipline of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine for distribution worldwide.
• Act as a link for distribution of IFCC brochures and other promotion material
to all laboratory professionals in their country of residence, National Societies, andRegional Federations where it applies.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Social media tools are being used and include Facebook, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube,
Twitter, etc.
Several videos from different societies were put on the IFCC Website. The links for these weremade available on all social media on which IFCC is registered. The links are given below:(https://www.ifcc.org/ifcc-communications-publications-division-cpd/cpd-committees/happylaboratory-professionals-week-2021/).
A social media page was also created asking for societies to add their names

105See links below:
Facebook: https://fb.watch/4YYcmdew3W/
Telegram: https://t.me/ifclinchem/179
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifcc_medical-laboratory-professionals-week-2021activity-6789815152561790976-ubXs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFClinChem/status/1384052486240018433?s=20
YouTube: https://youtu.be/9tNYWeIqTao
270 pages 70th anniversary magazine was published to make all national societies aware of theaccomplishments of IFCC over the last 70 years.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A promotional video on IFCC activities is being prepared in collaboration with a private marketingcompany. The video is expected to be ready by July 2023
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
C-PR engaged in a number of activities during 2022 and several communications were sent
out. This was achieved through the hard work of C-PR Committee members. As C-PR is asmall committee it is recommended that there must be full participation by its members in C-PR
activities. If this is not possible members must then be asked to step down.
C-PR would like to acknowledge the immense role of Ms Silvia Colli-Lanzi through whom manyof these activities were promoted. She has played a key role in all the activities of C-PR andcontributed in a very constructive manner to the achievements of C-PR in 2022. C-PR would
also like to acknowledge Naranhaus in producing the 70th Anniversary video. Lastly the role ofyoung scientists is acknowledged. Through them we have made great progress. Their role isalso acknowledged in the translation of the podcasts.

1062022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)EFLM, Munich 11th April 2022
Zoom Meeting, 21 July 2022
28th Oct, 2022, IFCC General Conference, 2022
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
January 2023 (virtual)
May, 2023 (face to face)
August, 2022 (virtual)
December 2022 (virtual)
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSAFCC Webinar April 18, 2022 – Lab professionals training (Global MedLab Professionals Week)
IFCC Short power point presentation – Biomedical Society of Zambia, 16h December 2022,
Livingstone, Zambia

Committee of Internet and Digital Communications (C-IDC)
Chair E. Freggiaro (AR)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Promote IFCC activities through the website, social networks, and any other digitalplatform, offering functional units a vehicle to distribute the information they produce.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
As it usually does, the committee publishes on the IFCC website and its social media channels
all the information that comes from the different functional units and IFCC activities.
At the moment, IFCC has the following numbers of followers: 3458 on Twitter, 5825 on LinkedIn,
31200 on Facebook, and 1635 on Instagram. IFCC also has a Telegram channel and a YouTube
channel with approximately 2000 views per year. Every news item posted on the website is
replicated on social media. An average of two to three posts per week are generated, which
demands a great deal of work from the web editor and the social media coordinator.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceThis is an ongoing and permanent task carried out by the committee. Of course, it will continue
to evolve, although the idea is to professionalize the posts in terms of their graphic design. To
achieve this, quotes have been requested from design companies with the aim of achieving asocial media image like the new website layout.

107

Term of reference 2
Explore new communication technologies and any other innovative technology tools that
could be used to promote IFCC goals.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
From different places such as CPD and C-PR, the idea of developing podcasts on laboratory
medicine has emerged. We are conducting tests to use audios that will be inserted on thewebsite and distributed through specific platforms such as Spotify.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
To start broadcasting podcasts from IFCC to disseminate the achievements of the different
functional units.
Term of reference 3
Develop and maintain the IFCC App.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The IFCC app has become very outdated and has become impossible to use. It is no longer
available or supported. For this reason, a new website has been developed that is primarily
compatible with mobile devices. This means that for practical purposes, it will function like an
app inserted in the browser.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
We will incorporate new features into this web app such as push notifications, event reminders,messaging, and other ideas that are being worked on by the committee.
Term of reference 4Manage social media accounts to promote IFCC worldwide.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The number of users on each of the social media platforms has been growing over the years. In
2022, the IFCC Facebook page finally became the professional institution with the most users
worldwide, surpassing the AACC that previously held that position by 7,000 members.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The goal is always to continue with the regular dissemination while trying to increase the numberof users on each platform. At the same time, new platforms that appear and their potential
usefulness for IFCC will be explored.
Term of reference 5
Develop and deploy new tools through the Internet to meet the needs of IFCC projects.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
A new website has been created. In 2022, the technology support company for the main website
and satellites such as eAcademy was changed. The new company is based in Rotterdam,

108

Netherlands. An excellent agreement was reached with this company after several months ofsearching among IT sector companies. This company also provides service on IFCC's databases.
As for the website, not only has a new design been created, but a number of technical features
have also been improved. In particular, a very robust website in terms of security has beenachieved. The content management system (CMS), which was outdated and had allowed acyber-attack, was also changed and solved. Without a doubt, this has been the committee's
greatest achievement, and many months of work were invested in joint meetings between the
DIGIWEDO company, the IFCC office, the CPD Chair, and the IFCC President.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The addition of functionalities to the website will continue. The most important one will be
the incorporation of user profiles that will allow visitors to have a personalized and integrated
experience of all the services offered by IFCC. This feature will also be used to develop an
intranet that facilitates communication between the office, functional units, and national andcorporate representatives. This way, it will be possible to know if the communications sent are
read, forwarded, or if the tasks requested of each member are completed on time. As previously
stated, the website will be transformed into a mobile app thanks to the technology used in its
creation.
Term of reference 6
Offer internet support and provide other digital tool services to all National Societies.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Nothing to comment on this.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Together with C-PR and the digital marketing company NARAHAUS, the social media coordinator
will connect with their counterparts from EFLM and COLABIOCLI to disseminate all information
related to LABWEEK 2023. In this way, C-IDC will support national and regional societies,
helping them promote the clinical laboratory.
Term of reference 7
Maintain the technical aspects of the website, social media, mobile app, and other tools
to keep them updated.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
It is difficult to explain the technical issues in this report, but this is one of the main achievementsof 2022. The website is now hosted on much more secure servers and with a working modethat practically makes it very difficult to be compromised. For example, the CMS now operates
on a separate server from the production site and has first-level security features. In addition,
the site's loading speed features have been improved. The web design has been optimized
for different platforms, thus achieving a better user experience. The site's statistics have been
improved to have reliable information on the number of downloads or access to each pageor document. The search engine has also been improved, now providing more reliable andaccurate results, among other things.

109

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinuously improving the website and its features. Relaunching the mobile application basedon the new website.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe contract with Insoft, which provided technical support for all the committee's technologicalproducts, has been terminated. After more than a decade of working together and achieving
many productions, several circumstances led to an unproductive stalemate that forced thetermination of the contract. After a long search, an agreement was reached with DIGIWEDO,
which is doing an excellent job and taking over tasks that had been left undone due to the lackof support from the previous company.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
In person meeting at the IFCC General Conference held in Brussels.
3 Zoom meetings / 1 hour each to address specific topics.
Several Zoom meetings with DIGIWEDO to design and restructuration of IFCC Website.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Euromedlab / Worldlab 2023 – Rome – May 22 9:00 - 17:00.
Zoom meetings on demand and permanent contact over WhatsApp Group.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSCongreso Asociación Bioquímica Uruguaya 2023
Closing conference: “Clinical Biochemistry in the AI Era: How to teach and learn?”
17-20 May 2023

eJIFCC Working Group
Chair: János Kappelmayer (HU)

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
The chair of this WG is Editor-in-Chief of the eJIFCC. He/she is a member of the CPD
Executive and is responsible for the articles and material in each issue. The journal is an
educational and news vehicle intended for the individual members of the Full Member
Societies. The journal has been allocated ISSN Number 1650-3414
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
In 2022 there has been an enormous increase in the number of submissions compared toprevious years. In total there were 84 submissions from 23 countries (Hungary, Italy, UK,
Sweden, Russian, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Ukraine, Bosnia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Saud110

Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Canada, USA, Tunisia, Spain, Morocco, Africa, Ethiopia) and out of these
38 were accepted for publication
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Further enforcement of the peer Review process by selecting better manuscripts for publication
and assembling a Thematic Issue on Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine.
Aside from this the submissions keep increasing constantly, the submissions in the period
January 1-March 30, 2023, is already 114.

Term of reference 2
Launching the Editorial Manager for manuscript handling
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Participation at online training courses. These courses started from June 1, 2022 to November
7, 2022. Each zoom meeting was 90 minutes.
• The online education was divided to 3 main categories and 7 smaller units within them.
• Dr. Bhattoa Harjit Pal Assistant Editor and Valentina László eJIFCC secretary
participated on each online course.
• We already received 22 manuscripts in the Editorial Manager system in 2023.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
In 2023 we have already introduced the Editorial Manager for manuscript handling. In the
period January 1-February 28 there was an interim period when authors may have submitted
their works via email or via the Editorial Manager, but as of March 1, 2023 only manuscripts
submitted via the Editorial Manager are handled. Simultaneously all Editorial Board members
had to register for this system, that also facilitated the upgrading of the Editorial Board list.

Term of reference 3
Scientometric advancement of the eJIFCC
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference

By being listed on Scopus since 2018 the eJIFCC has started to obtain Cite Score values thatshowed a continuous increase and values plateaud in 2022:
2018: 0.1
2019: 0.8
2020: 2.7
2021: 5,72022: 5.2
In 2022 a request was submitted to obtain an Impact Factor value from Clarivate.
We got a request for a modification of our submission with some further points to fix.
111

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Resubmission of the request to Clarivate to obtain an impact factor value
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Some new Editorial Board members were recruited in 2022, particularly from those who
previously guest edited successful Thematic Issues that are well cited.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
There were no in-person meetings, all discussions were virtual meetings or via email.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
An in person meeting at the Rome EuroMedLab that is scheduled at Rome to be held from May
21 to May 25 2023.
Location and time of the IFCC CPD group meeting:Congress Center La Nuvola, Rome Convention Center Viale Asia 40 /44 00144 Rome
Meeting name: CPD EC Dates: 20th May from 9am to 5:30pm, 21sth May from 9am to 1 pm
Meeting of the eJIFCC Editorial Board:
May 22: from 1:30pm to 2:30pm (location is to be defined later)
Progress Report of the eJIFCC April 2022-May 2023
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Four Issues of the eJIFCC/year
The most recent is Issue-1 2023 that is now with the Publisher Insoft Canada.

eNews Working Group
Chair: Katherina Psarra (GR)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Gather and disseminate information about the activities of the EB, SD and EMD and their
Committees and Working Groups
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
All the eNews issues publish the information sent by the committees, task forces, and working
groups. The chairs receive an email reminding them to send the relevant information every month.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The same procedure is to continue for 2023.
Term of reference 2112

Publish news and information about the activities of IFCC Members and Corporate
Members.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
All the eNews issues publish the information sent by the IFCC members and corporate members
including Univants awards.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The same procedure is to continue for 2023.

Term of reference 3
Provide early information about discussions taking place within the Division Committees
in order that the topics of current concern, and future developments, are known to all
those practicing in the field.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
All the eNews issues publish the information sent by Division Committees.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The same procedure is to continue for 2023.

Term of reference 4
Publish a calendar of all IFCC congresses and meetings.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
All the eNews issues publish the calendar.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The same procedure is to continue for 2023.

2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
No meeting (virtual or in person) of the WG took place during 2022
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
There is a meeting of the WG scheduled during Euromedlab Rome 2023 on Monday 22nd May.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
There are not any other publications or presentations, webinars except for the publication of
the eNews issues.
Working Group for Ibero-American Nomenclature and Translations (WG-IANT)

113

Chair Raúl Girardi (AR)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Organise and manage the Ibero-American corner on the web site
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Change of members, some members were removed from the group who during these 2 years
did not contribute much to the WG. A member from Peru, who had not been represented there
for many years, joined the group.
The member from Mexico was changed because he was no longer president of the nationalsociety he represented and because of his low participation in the WG.
I will publish in RIA as well as in the social networks congresses and all events related to clinicalbiochemistry that are at least sponsored by IFCC, the courses should also be free of charge.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
I will continue to work with members based on their track record, endorsement by the national
scientific society and their previous performance in the WG so that they continue to participate
in the WG.
We are talking with representatives from other countries such as El Salvador or Nicaragua toselect a representative.
There is a request from previous years about the possibility of modifying the RIA website to
make it more agile and modern. In this year there are already some changes in the page and insight it is a better presentation. I am evaluating its functionality

Term of reference 2
Editorial Board of the e-journal "Diagnostico in Vitro" (edited by Raul Girardi)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The 3 annual editions of February, June and October were published.
Improved publication time.
For the first time, we managed to publish articles in Portuguese, which had never happened
before, through discussions with members of the Sociedade Brasileira de Análises Clínicas(SBAC).
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The February edition has already been published and the June edition is being edited.
I will try to continue to increase the number of articles of a scientific nature over those related
to news and novelties.
I will keep trying to increase the number of articles in Portuguese.
October will be issued according to schedule.
Term of reference 3
Produce Spanish and Portuguese terminological documents

114

List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Two versions of the catalogue of codification and systematic nomenclature of laboratory tests
by Dr. Felix Gascon (Spain) were published.
Portuguese and to do the same with those already published such as the VIM.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
I am working to publish a version of a medical dictionary covering most of the terms that arecommonly applicable in Iberoamerica.
Continue to publish versions of the catalogue of codification and systematic nomenclature oflaboratory tests by Dr. Felix Gascon (Spain).
Work with the Brazilian and Portuguese societies to publish the same documents in Portuguese
and to do the same with those already published such as the VIM.

Term of reference 4
Produce Spanish and Portuguese translations of IFCC documents
Produce Spanish and Portuguese informative and educational documents
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Interview published from Dra. Maria del Carmen Pasquel to Prof Adeli on the outstandingachievements of the IFCC in the last decades in the framework of the 70th anniversary.
Other interviews related to the profession.
Material related to the Global Med Lab Week has been published.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
New material related to Global Med Lab Week 2023.
We are working together with the C-PR to publish their material, generate joint material, andpublish it in Spanish and Portuguese.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Because of its speed and reach to the public, it is working a lot on social networks, especiallywith Instagram.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)First face-to-face and virtual synchronous meeting at the Latin American Congress of Clinical
Biochemistry of COALABIOCLI in Leon (Mx) March 30 - April 2, 2022. Due to technical failures,the meeting was terminated and the topics to be discussed were continued in the IFCCWorldLab SEOUL 2022 - Jun 26 - 30, 2022 in a face-to-face and virtual synchronous way.
The second meeting was the Clinical Laboratory Quality Congress CALILAB 2022, Mar delPlata (Ar) 7 - 9 November 2022 in face-to-face and virtual synchronous mode.
115

R. Girardi and part of the WG-IANT members attended the IFCC General Conference, Brussels(Belgium) from 27 to 31 October 2022.
Participation of R. Girardi in the IFCC meeting on the Strategic Plan for 2022 in virtual
synchronous mode
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
First meeting of the WG-IANT 2023 in ROME 2023. WORLDLAB - EUROMEDLAB. 21-25
May 2023
Second meeting to be decided at the WG meeting in Rome
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Webinar presentation: Traceability of measurements, quality and laboratory accreditation. Three
topics of interest for clinical laboratory professionals in Ibero-America (R. Girardi (Argentina),
Amadeo Saez-Alquezar (Brazil), Maria del Carmen Pasquel (Ecuador), Ana Piana (Uruguay).
Participation of WG-IANT members in the Global Med Lab Week 2022 - IFCC
Presentation of the Webinar Project on External and Internal Quality Control in Quantitative
Measurements, R. Girardi (Argentina, Jorge Morancho Zaragoza (Spain) and External andInternal Evaluation in Qualitative Measurements, J. Aberer (Argentina)
Tahir Pillay CPD Chair

116

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION (ETD)

Committee Emerging Technologies in Pediatric Laboratory Medicine (C-ETPLM)
Chair Tim Lang (UK)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To identify, prioritise and coordinate projects to support the emerging science in pediatriclaboratory medicine across the total testing process.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Review of activities
In early 2022 (April) Chair met with ETD and EB led by KA to discuss that the C-EPLM should
focus on scientific and educational activities related to pediatric laboratory medicine, developing
programs and guidelines that can assist pediatric lab professionals around the world. The
plan developed following this meeting is reflected in the new focus in C-ETPLM activities andaligning them with the EB aims for 2023: gap analysis / Scoping areas to develop educational
solutions and other activities that will support developing countries especially. e.g. guidelines,
best practice advice
Survey prepared and sent out via IFCC TF-YS to committee/corresponding members andattendees at YS Forum in Seoul to assess areas for Education in Pediatric Biochemistry, especially
focusing on developing countries needs. Plan then developed during late 2022 and at GC.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinuing to review activities of group with plan to assign roles to each committee member inareas and develop short, mid and long term plans:
•
•
•
•
•

New technologies
New clinical applications
Guideline documents
Education
Support for developing countries

Term of reference 2

To review the current concepts in Pediatric Laboratory Medicine and advance laboratory
practice through the development and dissemination of position papers and guidelines
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Preparation and publication of paper on joint survey with SSIEM/ISNS on effect of Covid on
pediatric biochemistry. Published July 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Preparation of simple guidelines/recommendations covering a number of common topics(from the clinical/analytical list) in partnership covering developed and developing country

117perspective. Lead from committee (TPL) has developed plan to present at IFCC TownHall event.
Preparation of paper or a collection of papers in a thematic edition defining what is ET in PLM.
Current plan is to prepare a mini review focusing on the different needs of different age groups
from pre-term through to adolescence.

Term of reference 3
To develop existing links and establish new links with clinical and scientific societies
working in other specialist organizations including neonatology, pediatrics, inheritedmetabolic diseases and other rare diseases.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Contact made with TF-YS to assess training needs and how C-ETPLM can support them.
Survey done and outcomes from this have prioritised areas for education. Meeting held withchair of TF-YS and how closer working could occur. E.g., Supporting YS-Forum in future ?2024
Dubai, inviting YS members to collaborate on guidelines etc
C-ETPLM supported WG proposal on Neonatal Bilirubin in collaboration with AACB (AUS).
Preparation and publication of paper on joint survey with SSIEM/ISNS on effect of Covid on
pediatric biochemistry. Published July 2022.
Continued engagement of committee members on joint project on 17OHP analysis with 2nd
paper due very shortly.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Joint symposium with International Society for Neonatal Screening on Neonatal Screening at
ICPLM in Rome.
Chair invited via KA to be representative on group reviewing standard or recommendation for
publications that present neonatal lab values for International Neonatal Consortium (part of the
Critical Path Institute)
Chair (representing ACB) and Liaison member on WG-Neonatal Bilirubin

Term of reference 4
To lead education activities, including the satellite meeting of WorldLab Congress of
Pediatric Laboratory Medicine.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Preparation of programme for XVIth ICPLM in Rome
Preparation of Webinar proposal for IFCC Webinar on Emerging Technologies in PediatricLaboratory Medicine
Survey prepared and sent out via IFCC TF-YS to assess areas for Education in PediatricBiochemistry, especially focusing on developing countries needs
Preparation of scientific session proposal at AACC meeting in Anheim focusing on Genomic
testing and the complexity of introducing emerging technologies in pediatric laboratory medicine(awaiting decision).

118

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
XVIth ICPLM in Rome
Deliver webinar on IFCC webinar series –Pediatrics is an area where emerging technologies have been implemented successfully
The role of emerging technologies and its introduction throughout the diagnostic cycle will be
discussed using examples in the general laboratory and those laboratories supporting regionaland national programs such as newborn bloodspot screening and rare disease programs.
1. Emerging technologies supporting pediatric laboratory medicine
2. The Impact of Genomics and Transcriptomics in Pediatric Clinical Care
3. Optimising second-tier newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Develop programme for ICPLM in Dubai 2024
Round table discussion on emerging technologies
Support YS-TF at next Forum with planning of pediatric focused session
Add Committee members to VPL list
Scientific session proposal at AACC meeting: Genomic Testing and the Complexity of Introducing
Emerging Technologies in Laboratory Medicine
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
26/04/2022 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
23/05/2022 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
17/08/2022 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
22/09/2022 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
28/10/2022 Committee Meeting (In person @GC, Brussels)
30/11/2022 Committee Meeting (virtual)
15/12/2022 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
18/01/2023 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
16/02/2023 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
15/03/2023 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
20/04/2023 Committee Meeting (Virtual)
21/05/2023 Committee Meeting (In person, post ICPLM in Rome)
Future monthly meetings to be scheduled for June to December in 2nd half of year.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Current and emerging technologies for the timely screening and diagnosis of neonatal
jaundice
Mercy Thomas Ronda F. Greaves, David G. Tingay, Tze Ping Loh, Vera Ignjatovic, Fiona Newall,
Michelle Oeum, Mai Thi Chi Tran, Anushi E. Rajapaksa
Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences Volume 59, 2022 - Issue 5

119Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric laboratory medicine: an IFCC C-ETPLM, SSIEM, ISNS
global survey
Tze Ping Loh, Ronda F. Greaves, Chloe M. Mak, Gajja S. Salomons, James R. Bonham, Tim LangeJIFCC Volume 33 no 2 - 2022

Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering in Laboratory Medicine (C-MHBLM)
Chair Bernard Gouget (FR)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference
Digital Health, mHealth & AI
Lab Medicine and Healthcare is undergoing a digital revolution. Big Data, mobiles devices
and other innovations are opening up new frontiers in Lab medicine, a trend that has
become especially visible during the COVID 19. Digitalization is expected to improve a
broad range of outcomes, from prevention and treatment. It will allow to lab medicine touse resources more efficiently , then more effective and sustainable
The C-MHBLM is analysing the potential digital health challenges and recommendations toaddress them as well as breaking down the digital barriers. This includes:
Interoperability opportunities and challenges in linking mhealth applications
AI applications for Lab medicine to make sense to health data
AI as a catalyst for sustainable development
Ethical issues of AI in Lab Medicine
How could Metaverse transform lab medicine

List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Conférences:
47th ACBICON, Dec 12-15 2021, Hybrid mode
Symposium: Artificial Intelligence and Lab Digitization-Future Laboratories
Chairpersons: Prof Abbas Ali Mahdi, Prof. Pradeep K. Dabla
Intelligence based medicine: What we should know ?
Prof. Sergio Bernardini, Chair IFCC-Emerging Technology Division (ETD)
Smart technologies to tackle COVID-19
Dr. Bernard Gouget, Chair IFCC Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering in Laboratory
Medicine (IFCC C-MHBLM ETD)AI and Lab Medicine at the heart of translation for network medicine Prof. Damien Gruson.

120

MedLab Middle East 31Jan-2Feb 2022, Hybrid
e-Communication: eHealth/mHealth: How the Lab Medicine sector is changing?
B.Gouget
XXV Congreso LatinoAmericano de Bioquimica Clinia, Leon (MX), March 30-April 2, 2022
Plenary: AI, Big Data and wearable technologies : closing gaps in patient data and care
IA, Big Data y tecnologías portátiles: cerrando brechas en los datos y la atención de los pacientes
Bernard GOUGET: AI in Lab Medicine: hype versus reality
IA en medicina de laboratorio: bombo versus realida
Post congress On line:
Wearables technologies and mHealth: A Sustainable Healthcare Model for Developing World
Tecnologías de wearables y mHealth: un modelo de atención médica sostenible para el mundo
en desarrollo
Pr Pradeep Dabla, Dept Biochemistry, New Dehli (IN)
EUROMEDLAB 10-14 April 2022
EDUW 29 – 14.00-15.00
Title: Sustainabilty and digitalization in Laboratory Medicine: Prepare for the future now!
Chair / Scientific coordinator: Dr. Bernard Gouget, IFCC -Chair, Committee on Mobile Healthand Bioengineering in Laboratory Medicine (C-MHBLM)- Sustainable Laboratory Medicine: Myth or reality?
Professor Damien Gruson – Head of the department of Clinical Biochemistry of the Cliniques
Universitaires Saint Luc – Brussels, Belgium- Sustainable Laboratory Medicine: we all have a role to play.
Jordi Trafí-Prats – Senior Director EMEA Marketing at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
EUROMEDLAB 10-14 April 2022 “Viewpoint 6”
Wednesday Dec 1st 17:00-18:00
Regulating direct-to-consumer testing 2.0: Protecting the consumer–
Chair: B. Gouget (France), Chair C-MHBLM- Introduction: What is Direct-to-Consumer (D2C or DTC), how to increase Public
Awareness B. Gouget (FR)- Opportunities for decentralized testing in modern healthcare and dangers vs benefits of
DTC –J.H. Nichols (USA), Member C-MHBLM- Advocacy for appropriate regulation of biological tests sold directly to consumers
M. Vaubourdolle (France) IFCC-C POCTAACC 2022 Annual Scientific meeting, July 24-28, 2022 Chicago (IL)
Session 32108: Transforming Laboratory Medicine Through Mobile Health Technologies
07/25/2022 10:30 AM Until 07/25/2022 12:00 PM
121Speakers:
James Nichols, PhD, DABCC, FAACC, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
A Future So Bright: Personalizing Laboratory Medicine Through Mobile HealthFrank Desiere, PhD, MBA, Roche
Smart Technologies and Their Impact on the Digital Transformation of the Medical Laboratory
Discussing in the room: Damien Gruson; Bernard Gouget
XVI Baltic Congress in Lab Medicine, Sep 22-24 Tallin (Estonia)
Saturday, September 24, plenary session 9.00-9.40
Bernard Gouget: Smart Lab Medicine in digital era
LM4MS Heraklion, 2-5 October 2022
Session 2: How to make easier and wider the implementation of Emerging technologies
Chairs: Bernard Gouget, Ioannis Papassotiriou
Sergio Bernardini: Health technology assessment: The 6W
Damien Gruson: How to apply the usual quality assessment tools to AI LabMed Applications
IFCC ETD C-MHBLM Symposium, October 27th 2022
UCL Louvain , Woluwe St Lambert Brussels (BE)
Chairs Bernard Gouget, Damien Gruson
Introduction: S. Bernardini
Emerging Technologies for prevention:Making the best use of data:
Emerging technologies for healthier EU, expectations from stakeholders: L Giolot
Smart cities: Maider Liaguno
Diving into the minds: PN SCHWAB
Panel discussion: Bernard Gouget
48th ACBICON New Delhi 23-26 November 2022
Pré-conference Workshop: Applied Artificial Intelligence Research
Artificial Intelligence & its Basics: Pradeep Dabla
Data Mining processing and cleaning: Damien Gruson
AI data applications in Lab Medicine: Sergio Bernardini
AI applications in Healthcare: Pierre Jean LamyAI and Ethical issues: Bernard Gouget
Symposium 20
Evidence Based Lab Medicine: Where is the evidence, how we apply it?
Chair: Bernard GOUGET122

JIB Paris 2022, December 1-2
Organization of an international session on:
AI in Health care and Genomic
Speaker: Sarah BO
List of planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Conferences123‫ةیریرسلا ایجولویبلل نورشعلاو ةثلاثلا ةیبرغملا مایألا‬Les 23èmes Journées Marocaines de Biologie Clinique 16-18 Mars 2023,Marrakech (MO)Le 16 Mars 14h30-15h30: Atelier SMCC-IFCC Young Scientists"Décarboniser le secteur de la santé et Médecine de laboratoire"
Modérateurs :Dr Hichem ASSAMI (Paris) – Dr Otmane TOUZANI (Rabat) –Intervenants:
Dr Bernard GOUGET, Chair IFCC C-MHBLM, Labac EFLM representative (FR)Dr Alexandre HALIASSOS, President of Greek society of clinical chemistry- clinical biochemistry(GSCC-CB), IFCC EB Treasurer (GR)Pr Laïla CHABAA, Ex-Professeur à la Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Marrakech, ExChef du service de Biochimie CHU Mohammed VI de Marra
Le 18 Mars 14h00 – 16h00 : Symposium 5 : Biologie Clinique et Intelligence Artificielle (IA)Bernard Gouget: IA et santé numérique: Enjeux et préocupations éthiques,
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)EUROMEDLAB Munchen 2022
AACC Chicago ,July 2022
BRUXELLES, October 2022
+ e-communication
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
ROMA WorlLab 2023
INDIA ACBICON 2023
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Artificial intelligence and thyroid disease management: considerations for thyroid function tests
Damien Gruson1, Pradeep Dabla2, Sanja Stankovic3, Evgenija Homsak4, Bernard Gouget5,
Sergio Bernardini6, Benoit Macq7
PMID: 35799984 PMCID: PMC9195598 DOI:10.11613/BM.2022.020601
Target association rule mining to explore novel paediatric illness patterns in emergency settings
Pradeep Kumar Dabla, Kamal Upreti, Divakar Singh, Anju Singh, Jitender Sharma, Aashima
Dabas, Damien Gruson, Bernard Gouget, Sergio Bernardini, Evgenija Homsak & Sanja Stankovic
Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Volume 82, 2022 - Issue 7-8
Article |Published online: 18 Nov 2022| Views: 33
Accepted CCLM
A new door to a different world: Opportunities from the metaverse and the raise of Meta-Medical
Laboratories. Damien Gruson1,2,8, Ronda Greaves3,8, Pradeep Dabla4,9, Sergio Bernardini5,8,
Bernard Gouget6,9, Tuğba Kemaloğlu Öz7,10124

To be submitted:
Validation and verification framework and data integration of biosensors and biomedical medical
devices: a joint position statement of the IFCC Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineeringin Laboratory Medicine (C-MBHLM) and The Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Society (HIMSS)
Damien Gruson1,2,10, Pradeep Dabla3,10, Sanja Stankovic4,5,10, Evgenija Homsak6,10, James
Nichols, Kazu Kotani, Ramy Asaad Khalil, Bernard Gouget7,10,

DEC: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479250/ifccenewsdecember2021.pdf• B. Gouget, D. Gruson, S. Bernardini:The C-MHBLM ahead: Catching the wave of POCT
with IVD contribution to technological innovation pp: 8-11
• B. Gouget: Never two without three available for all pp: 19-21• S. Ghassan, B.Gouget: Syria between a rock and a hard place pp: 23-24
FEB: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479299/ifccenewsfebruary2022.pdf• B. Gouget, M. Germanos-Haddad, A. Haliassos, M. Ciotti, S.Bernardini, F Blanchecotte
Safeguarding migrants’ health by common efforts, pp: 44-46
MAY: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479477/ifccenewsmay2022.pdf• B. Gouget:The future of lab medicine is rising at the XXV COLABIOCLI – Leon (MX), pp:9-13
JUNE: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479481/ifccenewsjune2022.pdf• B. Gouget, Michel Vaubourdolle, James Nichols
IFCC C-MHBLM and C-POCT in Munich asking key questions about DTC testing pp:7-9• B. Gouget: Going green: lab medicine and environmental sustainability pp: 19-21
OCT: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479787/ifccenewsoctober2022.pdf• B. Gouget:The IFCC C-MHBLM and m-technologies under the spotlights in Chicago, IL,
USA pp:13-16• B. Gouget: Smart interconnected minds at the 16th BCLM2022 – Tallinn, Estonia pp: 39-43• JP. Siest: Dr. Jean-Baptiste Woillard (FR) winner of the «1st IFCC-Gérard Siest Young
Scientist Award for Distinguished Contributions in Pharmacogenetics» pp:43-45

125

JAN-FEB 2023: https://www.ifcc.org/media/479987/ifccenewsfebruary2023.pdf• B.Gouget, Pradeep Dabla,D.Gruson,S.Bernardini. VLP Report, ACBICON 2022: Assessing
AI technologies and ethics in healthcare services p 16-20• B.Gouget: R.Assas Khalil, S.Bhargava.VLP Report, ACBICON 2022: It’s time to look at the
LabMed evidence! 21-23• B.Gouget: Changing of the guard: Prof. Katell Peoc’h, SFBC President (Nov 2022 - Nov2025) p 58-59• B.Gouget, JM Giannoli, F.Blanchecotte. JIB Paris 2022: an iconic congress in the iconic
City of Lights p 60-65• S.Stankovic and B.Gouget, JM Giannoli,F. Blanchecotte. Serbian response to a Western
Balkan refugee crisis p 66-67• Gramos Begoli and B.Gouget, JM Giannoli,F. Blanchecotte.. Kosovo – Spotlight on
migrants and migration challenges 69-70• Marielle Kaplan and B.Gouget, JM Giannoli,F. Blanchecotte.. Integrating lab medicine
technologies and mobile health services for asylum seekers and refugees- Israel point ofview p 71-73• B.Gouget: Paris-Italy JIB 2022: Leading AI innovation in genomics p 74-75

Working Group on the Guidance for the implementation of custom-made genomic
panels (WG-GCP)
Chair Jennifer Morrissette (US)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Presentations demonstrating clinical utility of custom genomic panels
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Was invited to speak at the 2022 EFLM meeting and presented:
Title: Greater expectations: Meeting clinical needs through broad and rapid genomic testing
Resulted in a publication, highlighting IFCC: Poveda-Rogers C, Morrissette JJD. Greater
expectations: meeting clinical needs through broad and rapid genomic testing. Clin Chem Lab
Med. 2022 Dec 6;61(4):654-661. PMID: 36473133.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Planned presentation at WorldLab in Roma 2023

126

Term of reference 2
Identification of clinical and educational needs in countries with emerging cancer genomic
needs
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Survey to better understand needs in genomically emerging nations; translated into Spanish;under review by individuals with genomics background who are native Spanish speakers
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Convert survey into an online form; distribute internationally; begin to review data

Term of reference 3
dentify test case for capturing genomic data in genomically emerging nation
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
We were in discussions with a clinic in Botswana that would like to capture genomic informationon breast cancer patients, specifically ER, PR, HER2 amp, Ki67, due to long lag times forIHC.
Considering “Xpert Breast Cancer STRAT4” product from Cepheid. Plan was to piggybackfrom the STRT4 implementation in Rwanda. Still under discussion with breast oncologist.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinued discussions, with development of a validation plan
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Several small group conference calls to discuss small parts of these projects
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSEFLM 2022 (May)Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Genomic Diagnostics (WG-AIGD)
Chair Larry Kricka (US)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To evaluate and monitor emerging trends and directions of research and developmentin the field defined by the intersection of artificial intelligence, genomics, and clinicaldiagnosis.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
A. We published on the WG-AIGD website a 2022 Current Awareness Update on theregulatory landscape of AI/ML-enabled medical devices (a link on the website connects
to the literature on information relevant to the US, European, UK and Korean regulatory
agencies).
127

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A. We will review subsequent developments in the regulatory landscape and determine if an
update is required.

Term of reference 2
To develop and in-depth assessment of the application of AI (deep learning, machinelearning) in genomic (molecular) diagnostics.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of ReferenceThis term of reference is now outdated because of the rapid growth in the applications of AI
in genomic diagnostics. A recent search for “(artificial intelligence OR machine learning) AND(genomic diagnostics)” produced >33,000 hits on Google Scholar. This very large numberof publications strongly suggests that the topic as a whole can no longer be considered as
emerging, and accordingly the WG has selected narrow areas within this larger subject areathat we believe to be of interest to the IFCC community.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
None (see above for explanation)

Term of reference 3
To develop periodic updates on the applications of AI in clinical genomic testing.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
A. We published on the WG-AIGD website a 2022 Current Awareness Update covering work
relevant to the applications of AI in clinical genomic testing published in the first part of2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A. We will review subsequent developments in the applications of AI in clinical genomic
testing and determine if an update is required.

Term of reference 4
To access the accessibility and the barriers to routine implementation of AI in clinicalgenomic testing
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Generally, a key issue in publications reporting AI-based studies is the accessibility of the AIbased method to the laboratorian and the detail of the AI method reported. We published on
the WG-AIGD website summary of “Recommendations for data, source code, AI methods,
and experiments in AI publications (adapted from Gundersen et al 2018)”. Also, we attached a
supporting document (Documenting AI research
IFCC WG-AIGD (Kricka LJ, Baudhuin LM, Fortina P, Ertel A, Hope T, McCudden C, Park JY,
Polevikov S, Satychkov) to the web page.

128

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A. We will review subsequent developments in the recommendations for AI-based
publications and determine if an update is required

Term of reference 5
To develop a resource that will inform the IFCC community on developments and trends
in the applications of artificial intelligence in clinical genomics
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
A. We published on the WG-AIGD website a listing of key references that address thefollowing topics: convergence of digital health, artificial intelligence with Universal Health
Coverage, ethics and governance of artificial intelligence, good machine learning practice,and the reproducibility of machine learning applications.
B. We published on the WG-AIGD website details of the 2022 AI Index Report together withlinks to useful commentaries on the Report.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
A. We will review subsequent developments to determine if an update is required to the two
topics covered in the updates listed in A and B, above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. We welcomed new WG members in 2022: Dr Chris McCudden (Canada), Dr Linnea
Baudhuin (USA), and Dr Rachel Carling (UK).
B. A redesign of the website is planned that would consign older updates to an archive andmake the most recent updates more visible.
C. The WG’s term ends 12/2023.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
The WG-AIGD has operated in a virtual mode via email and occasional calls with individual
members as required.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
A. A meeting of the WG-AIGD is planned for the take place during the 2023 Conference inRome in May.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Publications
Greaves RF, Kricka L, Gruson D, Martin H, Ferrari M, Bernardini S. Emerging technology: adefinition for laboratory medicine. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022 Oct 31;61(1):33-36. doi: 10.1515/
cclm-2022-0929. PMID: 36302376.

129

Working Group on Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics (WG-SCST)
Chair Andrew P South (US)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Provide a regularly updated perspective on the clinical diagnostic applications of singlecell and spatial transcriptomic technologies as they evolve and become more accessible
over the next 3 years through both the creation of a webpage and the publication ofmanuscripts to:• Assist clinical laboratories in developing in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics• Provide up to date information on potential therapy matches through identificationof effector cell types in different disease states• Provide up to date information on technologies and approaches as they becomecommercially available
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
November 9, 2022
IFCC Live Webinar "Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics: clinical application"
The Webinar was well supported with over 500 registered attendees.
January 2022
Working with the “Guidance for the Implementation of Custom-made Genomic Panels” working
group to implement an IFCC survey “Questionnaire for IFCC genomics in community hospitals
and hospitals in low resource settings”.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Manuscript preparation – currently working on a manuscript to review up to date information
on single cell and spatial technologies and approaches that are most likely to enter clinicalmedicine in future years.
Recruit additional members.4
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
February 16th (conference call)
April 12th (in person)
November 7th (conference call)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
May 23, Rome (in person)
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARSIFCC Live Webinar "Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics: clinical application"

130

Classification of human chronic inflammatory skin disease based on single-cell immune profiling.
Liu Y, Wang H, Taylor M, Cook C, Martínez-Berdeja A, North JP, Harirchian P, Hailer AA, Zhao Z,
Ghadially R, Ricardo-Gonzalez RR, Grekin RC, Mauro TM, Kim E, Choi J, Purdom E, Cho RJ,
Cheng JB. Sci Immunol. 2022 Apr 15;7(70):eabl9165. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abl9165. Epub
2022 Apr 15. PMID: 35427179
Spectral clustering of single-cell multi-omics data on multilayer graphs. Zhang S, Leistico JR,
Cho RJ, Cheng JB, Song JS. Bioinformatics. 2022 Jul 11;38(14):3600-3608. doi: 10.1093/
bioinformatics/btac378. PMID: 35652725
Defining Patient-Level Molecular Heterogeneity in Psoriasis Vulgaris Based on Single-Cell
Transcriptomics. Liu Y, Wang H, Cook C, Taylor MA, North JP, Hailer A, Shou Y, Sadik A,
Kim E, Purdom E, Cheng JB, Cho RJ. Front Immunol. 2022 Jul 26;13:842651. doi: 10.3389/
fimmu.2022.842651. eCollection 2022. PMID: 35958578
A single-cell transcriptional gradient in human cutaneous memory T cells restricts Th17/Tc17
identity. Cook CP, Taylor M, Liu Y, Schmidt R, Sedgewick A, Kim E, Hailer A, North JP, HarirchianP, Wang H, Kashem SW, Shou Y, McCalmont TC, Benz SC, Choi J, Purdom E, Marson A,
Ramos SBV, Cheng JB, Cho RJ. Cell Rep Med. 2022 Aug 16;3(8):100715. doi: 10.1016/j.
xcrm.2022.100715. PMID: 35977472
Characterizing Dermal Transcriptional Change in the Progression from Sun-Protected Skin to
Actinic Keratosis. LaFleur B, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Tapia E, Parker J, White L, Chow HS, SouthAP. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 Jan 26:S0022-202X(23)00018-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.12.021.
Online ahead of print. PMID: 36708948

Working Group on Metabolomics (WG-M)
Chair Elie Fux (DE)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
Assess Metabolomics approaches and Identify barriers/ challenges for clinicalapplications.
1. To evaluate and monitor emerging trends of Research in the field of Metabolomics.
2. To provide an overview on metabolite discovery strategies by combining
metabolomics with orthogonal experimental and computational biology
approaches.
3. To assess the applications of Metabolomics in clinical diagnosis and prognosis.
4. To develop periodic updates of the applications on Metabolomics technologies
and methods in clinical diagnosis.
5. To assess the accessibility and the barriers to routine implementation of
Metabolomics in clinical laboratories.
6. To develop a resource that will inform the IFCC community on developments in theapplications of Metabolomics in Clinical Diagnosis /Prognosis as well as methods/
technologies in the IVD Market.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Literature review of current applications of metabolomics in clinical environment wascompleted. Scouting activities will continue. Repository document to list the mostinteresting applications was created and is regularly being updated by the WG members131• Article on metabolomics published in the IFCC e-news from February• Opening Lecture presentation from Elie Fux at the National Biochemistry Congressof the Turkish Biochemical Society- October 2022. Sponsored through the IFCC Visiting
lecturer Program. Article published in the IFCC enews about the visit.
• Lecture from Elie Fux at the 13th annual conference of Pakistan Society of chemical
Pathologists – Virtual November 2022
• Workshop organization on New Born Screening from David Friedecky and volatolomics
from Corado Di Natale for 13th annual conference of Pakistan Society of chemical
Pathologists – Virtual November 2022
• Elie Fux and Marie Lenski participated at the annual General conference in Bruxelles
Oct 2022• Official support activities from WG to Euramet for the production of reference material
List of planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• We would like to update our IFCC website with useful links and resources for scientists
wishing to establish metabolomics in clinical environments• Scouting of technologies and literature will continue Establish connections withinternational metabolomics societies

Term of reference 2
Recommend solutions to facilitate the translation from academic laboratories to clinicallaboratories
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of ReferenceThis is our long-term goal. No activities were started
List of planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Review of existing guidelines for metabolomics based technologies
Establish contact to existing quality assurance consortiums to start collaboration
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Virtual Monthly meetings of the working group:
27JAN 2022, THU 1 – 2:30pm
9 FEB 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
9 MAR 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
6 APR 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
4 MAY 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
19 MAY 2022, THU 1 – 2:30pm
15 JUN 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
13 JUL 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
10 AUG 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
14 SEP 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
12 OCT 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm

132

9 NOV 2022, WED 1 – 2:30pm
15 DEC 2022, THU 1 – 2:30pm
Virtual Scientific Sessions - Presentations on scientific topics from WG members or invited
Key opinion leaders:
27 JUN 2022, MON 1 – 2:30pm/ Dr Gavin O’Connorf from PTB Germany					/ Focus Session on Reference Material					for metabolomics and project Euramet
5 OCT 2022 , WED, 1-2pm		

/ David Friedecky / Metabolomics in Neontal Screening

17 OCT 2022, MON, 1-2pm		

/Marie Lenski/ Metabolomics & Clinical Toxicology

30 NOV 2022,WED 1 – 2:30pm		
/ Prof Isabelle Fournier						/ Spidermass from Prism Lab
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Monthly meetings planned in 2023
Virtual scientific sessions will continue
In person meeting of the working Group at Euromed Roma 2023
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Webinar on metabolomics was prepared end of 2022 and given live on February 15th 2023.
Speakers were Drs Fux, Bendt and Otvos.
A second IFCC webinar is planned in November 2023
The Working group would like to publish a review paper in 2023

Working Group on Method Evaluation Protocol (WG-MEP)
Chair Ronda Graves (AU)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference
1. To review and summarise the literature and guidelines on method evaluation
procedures used in clinical laboratories.
2. To provide high-level guidance and incorporate evidence-based procedures
for method evaluation, taking into account the intended clinical application of themeasurement procedure.
3. To engage key stakeholders on method evaluation procedures, including and not
limited to IFCC members and clinical stakeholders.
4. To develop and disseminate educational resources for clinical stakeholders,
to inform best practices for method evaluation protocols.

133

List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference 1
1. Completed review of calibration practices and validation procedures for mass
spectrometry.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Publish review of calibration practices and validation procedures for mass spectrometry
in peer reviewed journal.
2. Initiated 2 review articles on method verification (for commercially available
measurement procedures) and method validation (for laboratory-developed tests).

134

Term of reference 2
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference 1
Published 2 manuscripts (opinion article examining method evaluation approaches in clinicallaboratory; regression-based approaches in method evaluation)
1. Loh TP, Cooke BR, Markus C, Zakaria R, Tran MTC, Ho CS, Greaves RF; IFCC Working
Group on Method Evaluation Protocols. Method evaluation in the clinical laboratory. Clin
Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 4. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0878. Epub ahead of print. PMID:
36327459.
2. Koh NWX, Markus C, Loh TP, Lim CY; IFCC Working Group for Method Evaluation
Protocols. Lot-to-lot reagent verification: Effect of sample size and replicate
measurement on linear regression approaches. Clin Chim Acta. 2022 Sep 1;534:29-34.
doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.07.006. Epub 2022 Jul 8. PMID: 35810798.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Continue with evaluation of regression- and difference-based method comparison/ bias
evaluation procedures.
2. Initiated drafting of a journal checklist for reporting method performance (either indescribing a novel measurement procedure or reporting the analytical performanceof a measurement procedure).
3. Initiated an original study examining different approaches for linearity evaluation.
4. To develop a guidance document using the IFCC template

Term of reference 3
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Invited submission of proposals for corresponding membership to the Working Group.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. To formalise corresponding memberships for the Working Group.
2. To explore educational workshop/ seminar opportunities through corresponding
members/ national societies.

Term of reference 4
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Submitted workshop proposal for EuroMedLab 2023 but was unsuccessful due
to competing programs and venue inavailability.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. To submit a proposal for IFCC Webinar for 2024
2. To submit a symposium proposal for IFCC WorldLab in Dubai 2024
3. To explore regional/ national conferences for potential educational workshops/ seminars
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)• Monthly meetings held virtually135

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
• Monthly working meeting to continue• To use EuroMedLab (Rome) 2023 for in-person / hybrid discussion, and take theopportunity to meet corresponding members
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
1. Loh TP, Cooke BR, Markus C, Zakaria R, Tran MTC, Ho CS, Greaves RF; IFCC Working
Group on Method Evaluation Protocols. Method evaluation in the clinical laboratory. Clin
Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 4. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0878. Epub ahead of print. PMID:
36327459.
2. Koh NWX, Markus C, Loh TP, Lim CY; IFCC Working Group for Method Evaluation
Protocols. Lot-to-lot reagent verification: Effect of sample size and replicate
measurement on linear regression approaches. Clin Chim Acta. 2022 Sep 1;534:29-34.
doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.07.006. Epub 2022 Jul 8. PMID: 35810798.

Working Group on Neonatal Bilirubin (WG-NB)
a cooperation between IFCC Scientific Division and Emerging Technologies Division
Chairs Lindsey Mackay (AU) and Ronda Graves (AU)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Term of reference 1
To understand the current status of agreement in neonatal bilirubin determination against
clinical decision levels and EQA performance
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Publication to set the scene wrt the current issues• Review of international EQA schemes, the performance of participants, how they arebeing assessed and the types of materials being employed• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023

Term of reference 2
To define appropriate performance parameters to ensure fitness for clinical purpose(screening, diagnosing or monitoring)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Follow on from TOR 1 work to assess currently used performance parameters• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023

136

Term of reference 3
To review the availability and appropriateness of current JCTLM and other CRMs, RMPs andRMSs, define the appropriate measurand(s) and consider appropriate traceability chains
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Initial review of CRMs/RMPs etc to be discussed in March WG meeting, including nonJCTLM listed services.
• Current reference laboratories outside of JCTLM listing to be reviewed as only Chineselaboratories are included and several reference labs internationally are being used toassess accuracy• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023

Term of reference 4
To periodically review emerging methodologies, their fitness for purpose and recommend
solutions to improve comparability and traceability
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Current focus on TOR 1, 2 and 3, with emerging methodologies to then be considered• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023

Term of reference 5
To collaborate with major manufacturers (from both traditional and near-patienttechnologies) on neonatal jaundice testing to improve comparability and traceability(where appropriate)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Further industry linkages to be established via call for corresponding members
in February 2023
• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023

137

Term of reference 6
To develop and disseminate publications and educational resources related to neonatal
jaundice testing for stakeholders to support best practice
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A as WG set up in December 2022
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• More detailed work program to be reviewed at first face to face WG meeting in May 2023
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
24 January 2023 – Videoconference to establish the WG with initial members
21 February 2023 – Videoconference to progress finalising TOR and membership
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Monthly VCs with members and both co-chairs (dates set so far are 20 March 2023 and 17 April
2023)
Face to face meeting on 24 May 2023 to develop plans under each TOR
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Not applicable at this stage of the WG’s activities. IFCC eNews article planned for March 2023
to provide information on the new WG.

Sergio Bernardini ETD Chair and Ronda Graves ETD Secretary138

TASK FORCESTASK FORCE ON ETHICS (TF-E)
Term of reference 1
To increase awareness, to provide a voice among Laboratory Medicine Professionals
on ethical issues and to encourage the practice of Laboratory Medicine to the highest
ethical standards
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Promoted the 2021 IFCC Code of Ethics approval by different media sources to guide
National Societies in its adoption• Collated important Ethical materials using out TF’s Ethics “toolbox” for members societies
and other website visitors.
• Organized and implemented an ethics centred webinar for the IFCC series titled “A global
perspective on health inequities in laboratory medicine” April 12 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• To continue the promotion of the 2021 IFCC Code of Ethics approval by various mediums
such as manuscripts, scientific sessions or workshops• To develop a user-friendly interface for our Ethics “toolbox” that will be available on our
IFCC webpage• To continue discussions about facilitating workshops at National Societies’ scientificmeetings that focus on ethical topics such as the recently approved 2021 IFCC Codeof Ethics• To present a webinar for the IFCC series on “Publication Ethics: An overview from different
perspectives” planned for 22 June, 2023
• To present a webinar for the IFCC series on the “Ethical challenges of artificial intelligence”
planned for 2023

Term of reference 2
To develop freely available guidance documents and articles for IFCC member societies
on various ethical issues with a goal to publish through IFCC official publications
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Published in the article “Ethical concerns in the use of residual biological material in theclinical laboratory” in eIFCC news March 2022
• Expanded on the TF’s eIFCC article listed above and created a draft manuscript “Ethicalissues in the use of leftover samples and associated personal data”
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• To continue to monitor the current state of member societies and their adherence to the
IFCC National Societies Code of Ethics (COE). Note TF recommended to refer as COEs
in order to get more National Societies to adopt.

139• To upload the current member societies that have their own COEs or those who haveadopted the COE to our TF website• To disseminate our findings in eIFCC newsletter for public transparency. Article has been
sent and will be published.
• To submit the “Ethical issues in the use of leftover samples and associated personal data.”
Currently under review• To develop an ethical checklist for the IFCC outcomes study initiative in order to help
preparation of outcome study projects for member societies• Recommendations/Guidelines to be developed in the following areas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.
9.
10.

Incidental lab findings
Reflex testing
Using of artificial intelligence tools for reporting
Ethical concerns for preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phasesof laboratory work.
Ethical considerations for the use of residual samples obtained from routine
clinical work
Access to newborn screening as a human right - “37% of newborns are screenedaround the world for inheritable disorders (IFCC Task Force on Global Newborn
Screening”
Using artificial intelligence in scientific work or as an author of scientific studies
Access to consumables to perform laboratory testing in remote areas
Sustainability and green lab initiatives for the safety/protection of the environment
Proposal on a template for Ethical Clinical Practice Guidelines

2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
We had four virtual meetings and one in person meeting ( Brussels , Oct 2022)

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
We plan to have five virtual meeting (Jan (done), Apr, Jul, Sep and Nov. 2023) and one inperson Rome May 2023

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS• “Ethical concerns in the use of residual biological material in the clinical laboratory”
in eIFCC news March 2022
• Webinar for the IFCC series titled “A global perspective on health inequities in laboratory
medicine” April 12 2022.

Nilda Fink, TF-E Chair140

TASK FORCE FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS (TF-YS)
Term of reference 1
TF-YS educational sessions & networking
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Online conference of Georgia National Society (GLMA)- IFCC TF-YS introduction
and activities. May 13, 2022.
2. EUROMEDLAB 2021. IFCC TF-YS symposium: Motivation in the Clinical Laboratory- Santiago Fares Taie (ARG); Productivity Tools for Young Scientist Professional –Intan W. Musfafa (Indonesia); Career management for Young Laboratory Scientists- Giulia Sancesario (IT); Conflict Management amongst Young Laboratory Scientists– Ashlin Rampul (ZAF). Munich (Germany), 10-14th April 2022
3. EUROMEDLAB 2021. IFCC TF-YS open meeting together with EFLM YS-TF and
German YS group. Munich (Germany), 10-14th April 2022
4. COLABIOCLI congress. LATAM YS Forum. Leon (Mexico), March 30th – April 2nd,2022.
5. 2nd Global Quality Week. 4 days webinar. COLABIOCLI YS-TF. April 5-8, 2022.
6. Liderazgo de Jóvenes Profesionales de Laboratorio Clínico. Virtual. June
– August, 2022.
7. IFCC WorldLab IFCC YS FORUM. Seoul (South Korea), June 26-30, 2022.
8. IFCC WorldLab IFCC TF-YS Functional Meeting. Seoul (South Korea),June 26-30, 2022.
9. GLMA's conference – YS participation. Georgia, September 17, 2022,
10. 6th Slovenian Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
YS Symposium. (Eslovenia), Virtual participation, September 20, 2022.
11. TBS international Biochemistry congress & 33 National Biochemistry Congress.
YS Symposium. Turkey, October 26, 2022.
12. IFCC General Conference, Oct 27th – 31st, 2022 in Brussels. IFCC YS-TF Functional
Meeting.
13. CALILAB 2022 – XI Congreso Argentino de Calidad en el Laboratorio Clínico.
Simposio Oportunidades para Jóvenes Bioquímicos. Mar del Plata (Argentina),
November 7-9, 2022.
14. COLABIOCLI - 1er Conferencia Latinoamericana de Jóvenes Profesionales deLaboratorio Clínico. Cochabamba (Bolivia), December 9-10, 2022.
15. Green Lab campaign initiated by Indonesian Association for Clinical Chemistry(GLEAM- Green Laboratory for Environment and Mankind). Webinar MyGreenLab.
December 15, 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. COLABIOCLI YS Leadership Workshop. March to May 2023.

1412. 36th National Days of Clinical Biology : « Young Scientists Symposium ».May 11-13th,
2023, Djerba, Tunisia.
3. COLABIOCLI conversatorio « Los jóvenes profesionales del laboratorio clínico.
Los desafíos dentro de COLABIOCLI ». May 9th, 2023
4. 25th WORLDLAB – EUROMEDLAB, ROME 2023. Second YS FORUM. 21st May 2023.
5. 25th WORLDLAB – EUROMEDLAB, ROME 2023. YS Symposium. Chairs: K. Taha Ucar
(Turkey), B. Das (India)
a. Circulating cancer biomarkers: where are we now?, A. Tikhonov (Russia)
b. Immature platelet fraction as an early inflammatory biomarker, C. Imperiali (Spain)c. Dialogue between lab and clinicians for a win-win collaboration, M. Lenski (France)d. Setting Reference Intervals for analytes with dynamic physiological changes, U.
Senarathne (Sri Lanka)
6. COLABIOCLI «2da Conferencia Latinoamericana de Jóvenes Profesionales delLaboratorio Clínico ». Florianopolis, Brazil. June 18-21st, 2023
Term of reference 2
WEBINAR SERIES
List 2022 accomplishments for this Termof Reference
On November 17th 2022, the TF-YS conducted the webinar titled “Personalized Oncology:
Present and Future”. For this webinar we had 1,580 registrants and 290 live attendees.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Webinar 1: “Basics of Artificial intelligence” July 24th -28th
Speaker 1: Reinhardt Hesse - Augmenting Intelligence: Basics of Artificial Intelligence in the lab
Speaker 2: Jakob Adler - Skills of the Future - What kind of digital competence is needed?
Webinar 2: Date: December on the 18th to 19thTerm of reference 3
LAB-SURFING
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Lab-Surfing is a Laboratory professional social
media designed and created in order to fulfil theobjectives of IFCC-TFYS & unattended needs ofYoung Scientists (YS) globally. In a continuing
evolving Laboratory Medicine profession withnew technologies and methods every year, YS
find exchange programmes and communication
essential to widen their horizons and sharpen thelaboratory skills.
Required an update on IT and google certificates.
Licences and maintenance are well organized.
More than 800 YS registered from all around the142world.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue working with the platform that is being used successfully by YS from all aroundthe world.
Licences and maintenance is required in a yearly basis.

Term of reference 4
CAPILLARY PROGRAMME
List 2022 accomplishments for thisTerm of Reference

Corresponding members participatingin this activity:
a. Sofía Duarte (Guatemala)b. Jorge Hernandez Bello (Mexico)c. Alvaro Justiniano Cortez (Bolivia)

This programme intends to increase the participation of TFYS corresponding members during
national meetings.
A Survey was conducted of corresponding members, and National YS-WGs have been
mapped.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue assisting the corresponding members of the TFYS to motivate them to create YS
groups in their country and region. Moreover, we are permanently trying to get more committedwith our activities by doing surveys and seeking other points of view for our programmes.
The TFYS is the largest TF comprising 48 corresponding members.
143

Term of reference 5
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME INTERVIEWS
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of ReferenceThis mentoring minutes program is intended to educate IFCC Young Scientist members on
any current mentorship program in the laboratory research area. The program focuses on“how, when, what and why” about the existing mentor and mentee relationship and tips on
how others can learn from their relationship.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
As every year, during 2023 there will be 3 interviews published on the IFCC e-News.

Term of reference 6
RADIO EL MICROSCOPIO
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Active participation in the selection of interviews and scientific support for the different topics.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
During 2023 we will continue supporting the Radio El Microscopio.

Term of reference 7
LIVEMYLAB PROJECT
List 2022 accomplishments for this Termof Reference
LivMyLab project consists in a virtual/
remoted visit of a real lab, driven by young
scientists.
During 2022 we design the format of thevideos and sent letters with invitation toparticipate sending videos were sent inEnglish, Spanish, French and Chinese.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Termof Reference
144During 2023 we will present the first videos of this programme. It is a joint programme with CPD.
Same videos with different edition will be used by CPD for other activities.

145

Term of reference 8
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Promote the development of a critical mass of young leaders, with leadership skills and strategicplanning of projects with social impact.
The Workshop will be promoted by YS members of the TS-YS from Latin America.
In 2021 we had the first experience of the Leadership workshop with excellent results. An
indicator of this is the creation of a regional YS Group in Latin America with the YS participantsof the first workshop.
The second edition of the Leadership workshop was in 2022 with 32 YS from all LATAM.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
The third edition of the Leadership Workshop is schedules for March 2023.

Term of reference 9
CLINICAL CASE STUDIES
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
N/A
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
During 2023 we plan to develop a clinical case study project where YS from IFCC community
will present their experience with interesting real life case studies. The first phase consists toopen a call for clinical case reports and the TFYS will select the most interesting cases to bepresented.
For the presentation of the clinical case studies, we will invite IFCC experts to make commentson the clinical case to increase the discussion and understanding.

Term of reference 8
YS FORUM
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Young Scientists are the future of laboratory medicine andcomprise the major workforce of laboratory professionals.
Future leaders need to be trained and encouraged to succeedin their role, ideally with the support of experienced leaders.
To make this feasible, YS must have activities that encourage
their participation, offer opportunities of training and improve
communication and networking.
The first edition of the FORUM was held in the Seoul WorldLabcongress 2022 with great success.

146

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
For this 2023, we have prepared the SECOND editionof the YS FORUM that will take place in the WorldLabEuroMedLab ROME 2023. For the moment there are
more than 240 registrations to assist in person.

2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Listed in the Terms of Reference 1.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a record of the online meetings held during 2022. Approximately
we had 1 meeting per month.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
1. COLABIOCLI YS Leadership Workshop. March to May 2023.
2. 36th National Days of Clinical Biology : « Young Scientists Symposium ».May 11-13th,
2023, Djerba, Tunisia.
3. COLABIOCLI conversatorio « Los jóvenes profesionales del laboratorio clínico. Los
desafíos dentro de COLABIOCLI ». May 9th, 2023
4. 25th WORLDLAB – EUROMEDLAB, ROME 2023. Second YS FORUM. 21st May 2023.
5. 25th WORLDLAB – EUROMEDLAB, ROME 2023. YS Symposium. Chairs: K. Taha Ucar
(Turkey), B. Das (India)
a. Circulating cancer biomarkers: where are we now?, A. Tikhonov (Russia)
b. Immature platelet fraction as an early inflammatory biomarker, C. Imperiali (Spain)c. Dialogue between lab and clinicians for a win-win collaboration, M. Lenski (France)d. Setting Reference Intervals for analytes with dynamic physiological changes, U.
Senarathne (Sri Lanka)
6. COLABIOCLI « 2da Conferencia Latinoamericana de Jóvenes Profesionales delLaboratorio Clínico ». Florianopolis, Brazil. June 18-21st, 2023
Corresponding members participating in this activity:
a. Sofía Duarte (Guatmala)b. Jorge Hernandez Bello (Mexico)c. Alvaro Justiniano Cortez (Bolivia)

147

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Listed in previous terms of reference.
During 2023 we published an article on Digital Competence in Laboratory Medicine:
doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2023-0021

Santiago Fares Taie - Chair IFCC-TF-YS
Giulia Sancesario - Co-Chair IFCC-TF-YS

TASK FORCE HISTORY (TF-H)

The IFCC Milestones 2022 has been updated for the 70th Anniversary celebrations, providing
an overview of the IFCC history and rationale of the evolution of the leading organization in thefield of lab medicine.
The booklet was distributed on occasion of the IFCC General Conference that was held in
Brussels, Belgium, from 28 to 30 October 2022.

Mathias M. Mülller and Bernard Gouget, TF-H Chairs

148

TASK FORCE CORPORATE MEMBERS (TF-CM)

Term of reference 1:
To improve the engagement of Corporate Members with the IFCC
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Upon assuming chair of this TF-CM, we achieved the following:• Nearly doubled our corporate voice with expanded membership on the IFCC TF_CM(currently with ~14 companies represented)• Created and facilitated multiple surveys including an annual survey on the value of the
IFCC for CMs• Created an annual Welcome Package for improved orientation of members to IFCC,
promoting the value of IFCC
• Created annual certificate(s) for membership• Send Thank you notes to all members of the IFCC TF-CM which could be shared with
their leadership to highlight the power of IFCC involvement
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Launch of the Welcome package will occur in 2023 before EML in Rome
• Socialize findings from the 2023 annual survey, highlighting the value of IFCC
membership and top benefits from active members• Expand CM visibility with best practice sharing in eNEWs and social media.
A proposed eNEWS article include how companies can/should consider dedicatedresources for support to IFCC committees, working groups and task forces.
• Consider thank you letter from the EB vs chair of the IFCC TF-CM

Term of reference 2
To serve as the “voice of industry” and be more accessible to all IFCC teams andleadership, enabling a more diverse understanding and appreciation of needs amongcorporate members and the IFCC
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• Draft and sent letter to all working groups, task forces and committees to volunteer tobe a resource to each of them, if voice of industry is needed• Supported ad hoc needs, as they arrived from various teams• Hosted Industry Forum at the Brussels General Conference with voice of industry
commentary across 4 topics with more details in a separate section.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• eNews article published in February with a summary of the Industry Voice from theGeneral Conference• Bi-monthly articles are now underway with working groups assigned to different topics
for industry updates in IFCC eNEWs• An industry response to an article is planned (Trayer J, Rowbotham NJ, Boyle RJ, et al.
Industry influence in healthcare harms patients: myth or maxim? Breathe 2022.
149

Term of reference 3
To facilitate discussion among Corporate Members and identify common topics of interest
and/or concern
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• A major concern in 2022 related to conferences. These concerns lead to multiple
nominations for team members to serve on the COC for conferences.
• A F2F meeting occurred last year in Milan to assess a funding strategy for workshops
at leading conferences, even if booth sponsorships were not possible. While themodel was not approved, the EB did approve a different cost structure that still allowed
scientific symposia without booth sponsorships. This was considered a double win.
• A call to action was supported related to recruiting hospitals for clinical studies
on neonatal capillary blood.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Areas of concern get reviewed and discussed each month, leading to survey feedback
that suggested some companies feel serving on the IFCC TF-CMs is a favorite highlightfor them with IFCC
• A recent success was a communication from Tomris related to rules and ability
to operate surrounding the general conference, as select members brought up concerns
related to an industry event in Brussels last year.

Term of reference 4
To increase awareness with other Corporate Members of IFCC TF-CM and to encourage
their participation in IFCC activities
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference• The welcome package was designed to meet this need.
• The annual survey was also designed to meet this need, highlighting opportunities
for improved collaboration and participation
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• The bimonthly IFCC eNews articles will ideally tackle this topic• Recent survey findings suggest more opportunities exist to enhance participationof smaller companies
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
While not specifically addressed above, a fifth term of reference and passion of all members of
the IFCC TF-CMs also includes:
Assisting IFCC in promotion of science, innovation, and advancement of the essential contributionof laboratory medicine to health care2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)

150

January 18th (virtual)			

September 13th (virtual)

February 15th (virtual)			

October 11th (virtual)

March 15th (virtual)			

October 28th (Live – Brussels)

April 11th (live – Munich)		

December 13th (virtual)

April 19th (virtual)
June 3rd (live – Milan)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
January 10th (virtual)			

July 11th (virtual)

March 14th (virtual)			

August 8th (virtual)

April11th (virtual)			

September 12th (virtual)

May 9th (virtual)			

October 10th (virtual)

May 22nd (live – Rome)		

November 14th (virtual)

June 13th (virtual)			

December 12th (virtual)

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
INDUSTRY FOUM (General Conference)• Meeting the demand for clinical studies for regulatory approval: how can IFCC and the
IVD industry collaborate to meet the need? (Radiometer)
Anne Skurup, Radiometer Medical• Emerging trends (Siemens Healthineers):
Dr. Frank Vitzthum, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH• What have we learned from the experience of COVID (QuidelOrtho)
Els Melis, QuidelOrtho• VD industry partnership with IFCC (BD)Brendan Meyer, Becton Dickinson Life Sciences
Moderators: Tricia Ravalico (Abbott) and Joe Passarelli (Roche)
The above presentation was also summarized and published this year in IFCC eNews(March issue),

Tricia Ravalico, TF-CM Chair151

TASK FORCE ON COVID-19

Term of reference 1
Establish and maintain an IFCC e-learning platform on COVID-19 (“IFCC Information
Guide on COVID-19”), which provides regular updates on epidemiology, pathogenesis
and laboratory testing of COVID-19;
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Maintained the IFCC e-learning platform on COVID-19 (“IFCC Information Guide on COVID-19”),
which provides regular updates on epidemiology, pathogenesis and laboratory testing of
COVID-19
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue to maintain the IFCC e-learning platform on COVID-19 (“IFCC Information Guide on
COVID-19”), which provides regular updates on epidemiology, pathogenesis and laboratory
testing of COVID-19.

Term of reference 2
Provide tentative guidance and consensus documents for harmonizing the use ofdiagnostic and serological tests for COVID-19
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
List of published articles:
1. Lippi G, Henry BM, Plebani M. A Simple Epidemiologic Model for Predicting Impaired
Neutralization of New SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Jan 5;11(1):128.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11010128. PMID: 36679973; PMCID: PMC9863154.
2. Lippi G, Plebani M. Reliability of SARS-CoV-2 serological testing for influencing publichealth policies: A reappraisal. Eur J Intern Med. 2023 Feb;108:102-103. doi: 10.1016/j.
ejim.2022.11.025. Epub 2022 Nov 23. PMID: 36443132; PMCID: PMC9682048.
3. Salvagno GL, Pighi L, Henry BM, Valentini M, Tonin B, Bragantini D, Gianfilippi G, De
Nitto S, Plebani M, Lippi G. Assessment of humoral and cellular immunity after bivalent
BNT162b2 vaccination and potential association with reactogenicity. Clin Chem Lab
Med. 2023 Feb 2. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0055. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36722026.
4. Salvagno GL, Lippi G. The Comparability of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Levels Measured
with Different Immunoassays Varies over Time after Primary BNT162b2 Vaccinationand Homologous Booster Immunization. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Dec 21;10(6):e0302222.
doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03022-22. Epub 2022 Nov 10. PMID: 36354360; PMCID:
PMC9769787.
5. Salvagno GL, Henry BM, Pighi L, De Nitto S, Lippi G. Variation of Total Anti-SARSCoV-2 Antibodies After Primary BNT162b2 Vaccination and Homologous Booster.
EJIFCC. 2022 Aug 8;33(2):166-174. PMID: 36313914; PMCID: PMC9562482.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue to publish in this area152

Term of reference 3
Provide tentative guidance for harmonizing biosafety measures during management of
COVID-19 specimens by clinical laboratories;
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
None
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
NoneTerm of reference 4
Address clinical, technical and organizational perspectives of laboratory-based and POC
testing in COVID-19 patients and provide guidelines/recommendation when feasible
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
List of publications:
1. Lippi G, Henry BM, Plebani M. Pooled analysis of laboratory-based SARS-CoV-2
antigen immunoassays. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2023 Jan 12. doi: 10.1515/cclm-20221321. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36634259.
2. Lippi G, Henry BM, Plebani M. Diagnostic accuracy of Siemens SARS-CoV-2 Antigen(CoV2Ag) chemiluminescent immunoassay for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infection:a pooled analysis. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2023 Jan 12. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-1287.
Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36634305.
3. Lippi G, Nocini R, Brandon HM. Critical literature review and pooled analysis ofdiagnostic accuracy of Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test for diagnosing acute
SARS-CoV-2 infections. J Med Biochem. 2022 Oct 15;41(4):540-548. doi: 10.5937/
jomb0-36107. PMID: 36381069; PMCID: PMC9618338.
4. Salvagno GL, Henry BM, Bongiovanni G, De Nitto S, Pighi L, Lippi G. Positivization timeof a COVID-19 rapid antigen self-test predicts SARS-CoV-2 viral load: a proof
of concept. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 1;61(2):316-322. doi: 10.1515/cclm-20220873. PMID: 36315978.
5. Favresse J, Douxfils J, Henry B, Lippi G, Plebani M. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine celebrates 60 years - narrative review devoted to the contribution of thejournal to the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022 Nov 24. doi:
10.1515/cclm-2022-1166. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36420539.
6. Sharma D, Notarte KI, Fernandez RA, Lippi G, Gromiha MM, Henry BM. In silico
evaluation of the impact of Omicron variant of concern sublineage BA.4 and BA.5
on the sensitivity of RT-qPCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection using whole genome
sequencing. J Med Virol. 2023 Jan;95(1):e28241. doi: 10.1002/jmv.28241. Epub 2022
Nov 8. PMID: 36263448; PMCID: PMC9874926.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue to publish in this area

153

Term of reference 5
Integrate data on COVID-19 laboratory abnormalities from all over the world, andpromoting or coordinating new studies
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
List of publications:
1. Marchi G, Bozzini C, Bertolone L, Dima F, Busti F, Castagna A, Stranieri C, Fratta Pasini
AM, Friso S, Lippi G, Girelli D, Vianello A. Red Blood Cell Morphologic Abnormalities inPatients Hospitalized for COVID-19. Front Physiol. 2022 Jul 4;13:932013. doi: 10.3389/
fphys.2022.932013. PMID: 35860651; PMCID: PMC9289213.
2. Carpenè G, Negrini D, Henry BM, Montagnana M, Lippi G. Homocysteine in coronavirus
disease (COVID-19): a systematic literature review. Diagnosis (Berl). 2022 Jun
16;9(3):306-310. doi: 10.1515/dx-2022-0042. PMID: 35704707.
3. Henry BM, Sinkovits G, Szergyuk I, de Oliveira MHS, Lippi G, Benoit JL, Favaloro EJ,
Pode-Shakked N, Benoit SW, Cooper DS, Müller V, Iványi Z, Gál J, Réti M, Gopcsa
L, Reményi P, Szathmáry B, Lakatos B, Szlávik J, Bobek I, Prohászka ZZ, Förhécz Z,
Csuka D, Hurler L, Kajdácsi E, Cervenak L, Mező B, Kiszel P, Masszi T, Vályi-Nagy
I, Prohászka Z. Complement Levels at Admission Reflecting Progression to Severe
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Multicenter
Prospective Cohort Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Apr 29;9:796109. doi: 10.3389/
fmed.2022.796109. PMID: 35572977; PMCID: PMC9100416.
4. Henry BM, de Oliveira MHS, Cheruiyot I, Benoit J, Rose J, Favaloro EJ, Lippi G,
Benoit S, Pode Shakked N. Cell-Free DNA, Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), andEndothelial Injury in Coronavirus Disease 2019- (COVID-19-) Associated Acute Kidney
Injury. Mediators Inflamm. 2022 Apr 22;2022:9339411. doi: 10.1155/2022/9339411.
PMID: 35497096; PMCID: PMC9054425.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of ReferenceContinue to publish in this area

Term of reference 6
Establish and maintain efficient distance learning channels, with organization of webinars
and providence of other informative material
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
List of initiatives:
1. COVID-19 IFCC TF Webinar: IFCC Free Webinar on Impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants
and mutations on COVID-19 diagnostics. 16 February 2022.
2. COVID-19 IFCC TF session at: 8th International Congress of Biochemistry and 17th
National Congress of the Biochemical Society of Iran. Virtual edition, 23-26 August 2022
3. Lecture on behalf of COVID-19 IFCC TF: Essential contribution of laboratory diagnostics
in COVID-19. National Congress of the Institute of Biomedical Science. Birmingham(UK), 14-17 March 2022.
4. Lecture on behalf of COVID-19 IFCC TF: Biology and clinics of COVID-19. Lippi G.
EuroMedLab – 24th IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine.
Munich (Germany), 10-14 April 2022.
5. Lecture on behalf of COVID-19 IFCC TF: COVID-19 Beyond Virology. NSW Health
Pathology Research Forum 2022. Sidney (Australia), 8-9 November 2022.
154

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference• Organize another COVID-19 IFCC TF Webinar• Organize a COVID-19 IFCC TF Conference• Continue to deliver lectures on behalf of COVID-19 IFCC TF

Giuseppe Lippi, TF-COVID-19 ChairTASK FORCE ON GLOBAL NEWBORN SCREENING (TF-NBS)
JOINT TASK FORCE OF IFCC AND INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF NEWBORN SCREENING (ISNS)

Term of reference 1• Select countries for IFCC’s NBS Pilot Project via a call for participation
to IFCC member societies using pre-defined selection criteria. A formal callfor participation by developing countries will be issued soon by the IFCC office.
• Identify potential participating centres (e.g. healthcare facilities and laboratories)and stakeholders (e.g. government ministries and/or agencies) within eachPartner Country.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Based on the initial survey from 2021 we narrowed down the list of candidates and createdfollow up surveys and had virtual calls with selected countries (Bolivia, Guatemala, Dominican
Republic, Peru, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh).
Bolivia was originally identified as a possible candidate from Latin America, but several
attempts to communicate with their health representatives went unanswered in November of2022. In addition, we were informed that there were protests and disturbances in the country
that would not assured the safety of a local visit. So we turned to another candidate: theDominican Republic. There was quick progress in setting up an initial visit with the help of thelocal champion, Dr. Ceila Perez de Ferran.
We selected candidate countries for local in country visits (Dominican Republic, South Africa).
Planned initial visits for February 2023.
In Nigeria, TF member John Anetor will outline for a proposal for 1-2 in-country meeting.
There were initial contacts with 4 countries in Eastern Europe (Albania, Romania, Ukraine andGeorgia) for interest in advancing their programs with an in country visit scheduled to Romania
in March 2023
There was also a virtual initial call with Nepal to explore possibilities in that country as well.

155

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Initial in country visits to South Africa, Dominican Republic and Romania to assess current
situation and identify needs for February 2023.
In Dominican Republic the IFCC Task Force met the Pediatric Society, government representatives
that included the Health Minister, Vice Minister of Collective Health, President of Center for
Disability and others. In addition, we met the local IFCC representatives of CODOBIO and
Senator Lia Diaz. The general take is that there is a collective sense of advancing the NBS
Decree of 2015 into making it law. Meeting report to follow.
In South Africa an ‘in country meeting’ took place in Cape Town on 21st and 22nd February.
Those who attended included: local advocates and clinicians, health policy makers, WHOrepresentation, national IFCC representation and representatives from the NBS task force. The
meeting had a positive outcome with plans to form a national core group and an invitation from
Government to make concrete proposals to begin newborn screening in South Africa. Meeting
report to follow.
In Romania, those planned to attend include: local advocates and clinicians, the European leadfor the European Reference Networks for inherited metabolic disorders, health policy makers,
patient/parent representatives, members of the NBS Task Force and the national/regional IFCC
representative is being sought.

Term of reference 2• Engage with these centres in order to conduct situation assessment(i.e. information in regard to NBS-related diseases as well as resources/barriersin the Partner Country).
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Initially for Latin America, we contacted the local champion Dr. Bany Seoane, and expressedinterest for a local meeting to gather national interested parties and foreign experts. Contact
was also made with a representative from the Health Ministry, Dr. Patricia Apaza in charge ofchildren’s health. She requested a note to initiate a technical report with their Health Minister.
This was done promptly, but we received no follow up response after several weeks andattempts.
Since the October meeting, no response was received from Bolivia. Several attempts andmonths have gone without response from the Health Ministry representative (Dr. Patricia
Apaza). One of the TF members in South America informed that there have been protests anddisturbances in Bolivia due to internal politics although not much news is known internationally.
A recent trip by a colleague confirmed this. We attempted to have a call with the local Bolivian
representative (Dr. Bany Seoane) that answered the survey on Nov 24th, but she did not attend.
Due to this lack of communication and uncertain safety measures, we decided to table theproject in Bolivia for now and shifted our focus to another Latin American candidate: Dominican
Republic. We held a call on Dec 5th with the DR representative (Dr. Ceila Perez de Ferran).
There is enthusiasm to further their project and local infrastructure in place to start. A tentative
initial visit by TF members (2 day) was discussed for February or March 2023 to meet local
champions and visit the facilities and give an initial assessment. Dr. Perez de Ferran will startworking on a tentative visit plan and champions to meet and will return by end of 2022 forfurther discussion

156

List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
For Latin America, an initial assessment visit to Dominican Republic is scheduled for Feb 21-22,
2023. The goals are to assess the current situation of NBS, meet local representatives that canbecome project champions and identify needs and opportunities for rapid advancement of the
program. On this visit we have scheduled meetings with the Health Minister, the Pediatric Societyof Endocrinology and College of Bioanalysts (local IFCC representative) among others. There
will also be tours of the potential facilities that can house NBS testing. We have also learned
recently of interest from the Pan American Health Organization and UNICEF in collaborating on
this project in Dominican Republic, so we will reach out to initiate contact.
There is also a planned visit to South Africa as part of a 2 day meeting.
Follow ups with Nepal, Nigeria and Eastern European countries will occur to assess their situation.
Projects in those countries may not be able to occur this year, but a general assessment would
be helpful for future planning and opportunities.

Term of reference 3• Identify ways in which the IFCC can provide lacking resources and support.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
As part of the survey, most respondents indicated needs in having support with development ofeducational materials and guidelines; in laboratory training; and in providing laboratory quality
auditsList planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Based on initial visits a report will be made to reflect assessment of current situation andrecommendations for advancement. The experience of task force members will be available toassist in logistical, scientific and clinical knowledge support to the local country teams.

Term of reference 4• Develop a detailed protocol for an initial Pilot Project specific to each Partner
Country. The proposal will be presented to the Partner Country via the respective
IFCC member society. The Pilot Project implementation must be conditional on thePartner Country’s commitment to its continuation following IFCC’s initial financial
support.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Most of the work in 2022 was to identify and make initial contact with candidate countries toselect for in country visits. The initial visits will be used to assess current situation and needs
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
After initial in-country visits to Dominican Republic, South Africa and Romania, a report ofassessment and recommendations will be made and plan for progress will be discussed with thelocal in-country teams. A plan with short term and long term goals will be made in collaboration
with the local team.

157

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThis Task Force will explore a possible collaboration with the Task Force on Ethics. Drs. Joe
Wiencek and Nilda Fink reached out about a possible collaboration dealing with the ethics of
NBS. A meeting is scheduled to occur in March 2023.
Contact is still maintained with the AACC group for NBS to keep each other informed of activities
and opportunities for collaboration.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
Larger Task Force Meetings• Virtual , May 2022
• Brussels, Oct 2022
Multiple virtual calls were held with candidate countries with certain members of TF. Many ofthese countries included more than one virtual meeting
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

South Africa
Nigeria
Bolivia
Dominican Republic,
Bangladesh,
Nepal,
UgandaLatin American group met frequently as needed through virtual means
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Larger Task Force Meetings
March 2023
May 2023
September 2023
December 2023
Latin American group will continue meeting regularly as needed (virtual)
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Webinar 2022: Aspects of Newborn Screening (Oct 5, 2022)

Van Leung-Pineda Co-Chair and James Bonham Co-Chair/ISNS - TF-NBS

158

TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL LAB QUALITY (TF-GLQ)

The Terms of References given below were taken from the TF-GLQ Annual Report 2021:
Term of reference 1• Finalize selection process of IQC materials provider
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
It was decided not the pursue the topic of IQC materials provision to participating countries
further, due to high cost and complex logistics. The pilot program will focus on EQC provision
only.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:
N/A

Term of reference 2• Develop jointly with 1WA the EQA program for the 1-year pilot phase
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
The program for the 1-year pilot phase was jointly developed with 1WA. Several ZOOM meetings
were held between the TF and 1WA to define joint responsibilities and develop monthly reporting
tools to enable comparison of participant specific performance characteristics (e.g., acceptableversus unacceptable results), applied assays, and general satisfaction with the program.
At the end of 2022, a program satisfaction survey was performed, in which eight of the ten pilot
phase countries participated (Zambia and Columbia did not respond). The satisfaction rate washigh, with only certain criticism on sample analytics and flawed sample packaging instructions
were formulated by Malawi. Most countries expressed interest to continue the program after theend of the 1-year pilot phase.
It was decided after the Brussels IFCC General Conference meeting in October 2022 to expand
the program from 5 labs / participating country to 10 labs / participating country. Letters ofappeal were sent to country coordinators to identify five more labs interested to participate. As
a result, at the end of 2022, a total of 100 participating labs were recruited into the program.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference:
The program will continue thru 2023. At the end of 2023, it needs to be decided if and (and if theanswer is “yes”, how) the EQA program shall be extended.
There is no plan to extend to program to include IQC material provision.

159

Term of reference 3• Start jointly with 1WA and monitor the roll-out of the EQA program.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference:
Throughout 2022, the program was closely monitored by the TF, with monthly reports issued
by 1WA. A dashboard of reporting items & topics is currently being improved and will serve as
input for future monthly reports.
List planned activities in 2023 for this term of Reference:Continuation of program evaluation & monitoring in 2023.

Term of reference 4• Develop and conduct general IQC and EQA training programs for participating
countries. (Prioritization, number and duration of such trainings to be worked out).
• Conduct an IFCC Webinar on IQC and EQA.
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Onsite training & workshops with active country participation are planned to take place inZambia and Malawi in October 2022 and in Peru and Columbia in November 2022. TF teamsof three members (Africa) and 4 four members (Latin America) are being dispatched for theseonsite trainings on IQC and EQA. A Webinar on IQC and EQA is currently being planned to takeplace in 2022.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sadly, two TF Members (Dr. Chuanbao Zhang and Dr. Andre Guimaraes) had to be expelled in
2022 due to inactivity.
Fortunately, it can be stated that the remaining TF is very active with a good level of contribution
and participation by almost all members.
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
The following TF meetings were held in 2022:• Nine monthly 2-hour ZOOM meetings,• Two Face-to-Face meetings:- June 28, 2022 (Seoul),- October 28, 2022 (Brussels at the IFCC General Conference),• ACBICON (New Delhi) Conference participation with presentations by both TF Chairs
November 24th to 26th.

160

MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
• Monthly 2-hour ZOOM meetings to be continued
Face-to-Face meeting at the WORLDLAB-EUROMEDLAB Rom meeting in May 2023.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS• External quality assessment practices in medical laboratories: an IFCC global surveyof member societies
Ivan M Blasutig, Sarah E Wheeler, Renze Bais, Pradeep Kumar Dabla, Ji Lin, Armand
Perret-Liaudet, Annette Thomas, Kandace A Cendejas, Jean-Marc Giannoli, Anne
Vassault, Egon Amann, Qing H Meng.
Clin Chem Lab Med, 2023 Feb 13, doi: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0057.

161• Total Quality Management in Hematologyand Clinical Chemistry: CurrentGuidelines andtheFuture
MindrayLabTalkWebinar Nov. 18, 2021
Egon Amann, Ph.D.
Consultant in Life Sciences, Quality Systems & Clinical Chemistry,
Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D., Philipps University Marburg, Germany andUniversity of Applied Sciences, Hamm-Lippstadt, Germany,
IFCC Co-Chair TF-GLQ• IFCC’s global initiative to enhance clinical laboratories’ quality in developing countries
Egon Amann, Ph.D.
13th international and 19th national congress on quality improvement in clinicallaboratories organized virtually by IACLD on MAY 17-21, 2022
• Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)
Egon Amann, Qing Meng
IFCC General Conference, Brussels, October 30, 2022
• IFCC Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ) – A Status Report
Egon Amann, Ph.D.
ACBICON 2022, Nov. 22 – 26, New Delhi• The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods
Egon Amann, Ph.D.
ACBICON 2022, Nov. 22 – 26, New Delhi• • Quality Control: Strategy and Practice for Clinical laboratories
Qing Meng, Ph.D., MD
ACBICON 2022, Nov. 22 – 26, New Delhi• Career Opportunity for Clinical Chemist in the US
Qing Meng, Ph.D., MD
ACBICON 2022, Nov. 22 – 26, New Delhi

Egon Amann, Qing Meng, TF-GLQ Co-Chairs

TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL ELEARNING/EACADEMY (TF-GEL)

TF-GEL continues to produce webinars with a good international following. See “Highlight of
the Year” for Webinar titles and details. 20 webinars include 60 Presentations, 30 Hours, 60162

speakers, over 70.000 participants from more than 170 countries.
TF-GEL has been working with the new website developers concerning the new learning
platform that is to be launched shortly. We are planning to liaise with IFCC specialists /specialist
committees to produce appropriate teaching material for this leaning platform, which can bereviewed by the same experts/specialist committees on an ongoing basis.

Adrian Park TF-GEL ChairTASK FORCE ON OUTCOME STUDIES IN LABORATORY MEDICINE(TF-OSLM)

Term of reference 1
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
1. Develop a funded research program: The “call for study proposals seeking research proposals
for studies evaluating the impact of laboratory testing on health outcomes” was released in
July, 2022. A total of 55 applications from 32 countries. Five proposals were selected to provide
funding for the study. The feedback from at least 2 (up to 6) reviewers has been sent to eachapplicant to provide evaluation comments. The draft contract agreement has been submitted
to the IFCC EB for review and approval.
2. Create a repository/database of publications that is accessible by members of IFCC: Working
with the IFCC website contractor team to develop a proposal to set up a website database ofoutcome study related publications that is accessible by members of IFCC. The draft proposal
has been submitted to the IFCC EB for review and approval.
3. Search Evidence for Outcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine: the TF members are working
on searching evidence for outcomes studies in several areas (Antibiotic guidance, cancer
biomarker, cardiac biomarker, COVID-19, diabetes, POCT etc.). Once the database website is
set up, the publications will be available in the database.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
1. Manuscript in preparation: we are in the process of writing an opinion paper to advocate
outcome studies in laboratory medicine and share the TF’s experience of call for proposals.
The proposed title is “Linking laboratory testing to clinical outcomes: bridging the gap
through outcome-based studies in laboratory medicine”.
2. Review article in preparation: we are in the process of writing a review paper on outcome
studies for biomarkers for guidance of antibiotic treatment (procalcitonin and CRP).
3. 2023 IFCC Live Webinar proposal: Title of the Webinar: Outcome studies to advanceexcellence in laboratory medicine.
4. Workshop on real-world outcome studies in collaboration with IFCC Committee for the
Value Proposition in Laboratory Medicine.
5. Search Evidence for Outcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine: continue on the
search effort
6. Database: test the prototype and go live with multiple categories and topics of outcome
studies.
163

7. Develop a funded research program: plan to release a new round of “call for study
proposals seeking research proposals for studies evaluating the impact of laboratory
testing on health outcomes”
8. In person TF member meeting at Worldlab/Euromedlab Roma 2023
9. IFCC Symposium at at Worldlab/Euromedlab Roma 2023
Advancing Excellence in Laboratory Medicine Worldwide: An Update from IFCC
Taskforces – Session chairs: K. Adeli (Canada), A. Haliassos (Greece)• Enhancing Laboratory Quality on a Global Level: Results of the IFCC EQA Pilot Study– E. Amann (Germany)• Closing the Gaps in Newborn Screening: The IFCC Global NBS Program – J. Bonham(UK)• Impact of the Clinical Laboratory in Clinical Medicine: Developing the Evidence – Z. Zhao
(USA)
• Global Database of Adult and Pediatric Reference Intervals – J. Zierk (Germany)
2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)The Task Force OSLM has been managing to have monthly virtual meetings and one in-person
meeting per year to have always feedback and updates among the members for a more linear
and successful work.
In 2022 we had nine virtual meetings and one in-person meeting during the General Conferencein Brussels in October 2022.
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
For 2023 the meetings have maintained the monthly schedule.
The first meeting in 2023 has been held on January 9th and two other meeting have beenscheduled in the overcoming months.
The Task Force has also organized an in-person meeting during the WorldLab / EuroMedLab
Congress in Rome on the 21st May, 2023.
PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Publications:
1.

2.

3.

164

Haşim A, Doğan Ö, Serdar CC, Serdar MA. The value of the measurementof arginine metabolites (especially L-NMMA) in determining the severity of
Covid-19. Association of serum ADMA, SDMA and L-NMMA concentrations withdisease progression in COVID-19 patients. Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2023 Feb
15;33(1):010701. doi: 10.11613/BM.2023.010701.
Cihan M, Dogan O, Ceran Serdar C, Altuncekic Yildirim A, Kurt C, Serdar MA.
The value of the Kynurenine pathway (especially KYN:TRP ratio and PA) in disease
severity and progression. Kynurenine pathway in Coronavirus disease (COVID-19):
Potential role in prognosis. J Clin Lab Anal. Mar 2022;36(3):e24257. doi: 10.1002/
jcla.24257.
Kilercik M, Ucal Y, Serdar MA, Serteser M, Ozpinar A, Schweigert FJ. The valueof ZnPP (we developed and validated in-house in our laboratory) in determining
the severity of Covid -19. Zinc protoporphyrin levels in COVID-19 are indicative ofiron deficiency and potential predictor of disease severity. PLoS One. 2022 Feb
3;17(2):e0262487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.02262487.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Kilercik M, Demirelce O, Serdar MA, Mikailova P, Serteser M. Roles of newly
developed whole blood parameters in determining Covid-19 severity and mortality.
A new haematocytometric index: Predicting severity and mortality risk value in
COVID-19 patients. PLoS One. 2021 Aug 5;16(8):e0254073. doi: 10.1371/journal.
pone.0254073. PMID:
Sarici SU, Ozcan M, Akpinar M, Altun D, Yasartekin Y, Koklu E, Serdar MA, Sarici
D. Early diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia and risk determination with Transcutaneous
Bilirubin measurement. Transcutaneous Bilirubin Levels and Risk of Significant
Hyperbilirubinemia in Early-Term and Term Newborns. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal
Nurs. 2021 May;50(3):307-315. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2021.01.007.
Farnsworth MC, Zhao Z, Apple EF, Collinson P, DeMarco ML, Gronowski A, B
Sacks D, Zhu Y. Critical Roles of Clinical Laboratorians in Translational Researchand Applied Sciences-Experts' Insights and Experiences. Clin Chem. 2022 Jul
3;68(7):877-883. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac074.PMID: 35617137
Farnsworth C and Zhao Z, Critical Roles of Clinical Laboratorians in Translational
Research and Applied Sciences—Experts’ Insights and Experiences, Clinical
Chemistry journal podcast, August 1, 2022
Nishant Kumar Chauhan, Benhur Joel Shadrach, Mahendra Kumar Garg, Pradeep
Bhatia, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Manoj Kumar Gupta, Naveen Dutt, Ram Niwas Jalandra,
Pawan Garg, Vijaya Lakshmi Nag, Praveen Sharma, Gopal Krishna Bohra, Deepak
Kumar, Poonam Abhay Elhence, Mithu Banerjee, Deepti Mathur, Abhishek HL
Purohit, Ravisekhar Gadepalli, Binit Sureka, Sanjeev Misra. Predictors of Clinical
Outcomes in Adult COVID-19 Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in India:
an analytical cross-sectional study. Acta Bio Med 2021; 92(3): e2021024.
Ram Niwas, Aneesa Shahul , M K Garg, Vijaya Lakshmi Nag, Pradeep Kumar Bhatia,
Naveen Dutt, Nishant Chauhan, Jaykaran Charan, Shahir Asfahan, Praveen Sharma,
Pankaj Bhardwaj, Mithu Banerjee, Pawan Garg, Binit Sureka, Gopal Krishna Bohra,
Maya Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev Misra. Clinical outcome, viral response and safety
profile of chloroquine in COVID-19 patients -initial experience. Adv Respir Med.
2020; 88: 515–19.
Tomo S, Garg MK, Sharma Praveen, Banerjee M. Is there a role of
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in COVID-19 prognosis & treatment? . Endocrine
Regulations ; 2021; 55, (3,) 174–81.

Presentations/Webinars
1.

2.

3.
4.

Zhen Zhao, “IFCC Task Force on Outcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine”,
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 2022
General Conference, October 2022, Brussels, Belgium
Zhen Zhao, “Unsung Heroes Working Behind the Scene: The Role of Laboratory
Medicine on Healthcare Outcomes”, Plenary lecture at Shanghai International Forumof Laboratory Medicine, September 2022, Shanghai, China
Zhen Zhao, “Unique Roles of Clinical Laboratorians in Translational Research”,
March 2022, Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, Canada
Zhen Zhao, “Implementation of Cardiac Troponin in Risk Stratification andManagement for COVID-19 Patients”, September 2021, Siemens Healthineers
Knowledge Sharing Webinar, Taipei, Taiwan

Zhen Zhao, TF-OSLM Chair165

TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL REFERENCE INTERVAL DATABASE(TF-GRID)TERMS OF REFERENCE
Mandate/aims:
The TF’s mandate as given by the IFCC has been used to develop 4 major aims for this TF:• Develop GRID, the IFCC web-based Reference interval database, with the visionof GRID becoming the primary international resource for reference intervals in laboratory
medicine• Provide web-based tools to derive reference intervals using direct and indirect methods• RI harmonization: Develop methods to establish globally harmonized reference intervals
where feasible and apply these methods to provide harmonized RIs• RIs established by the TF GRID
• Education & Outreach: Organize workshops/webinars and provide education material
Term of reference
1/GRID:
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
The TF has developed the concept for GRID and specified a majority of technicalities. The
IFCC’s preferred IT provider DIGIWEDO will implement the website and has begun to do so in
2023 after the contract was signed.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Release of a preview/beta GRID website.

Term of reference 2(web-based tools to derive reference intervals)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Definition of a strategy how to create/implement web-based tools to derive reference intervals:
we will adapt an existing toolkit created by AB Leichtle, which he/his group will provide free ofcharge to the IFCC.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
AB Leichtle is currently adapting the toolkit. After this, we will contact the IFCC and DIGIWEDO
to plan the release of this toolkit as part of the IFCC/GRID webpage.

166

Term of reference 3(RI harmonization)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Definition of a basic strategy:• Publication of a method paper (lead: A. Coskun) covering RI Harmonization using direct
and indirect methods, and which includes• direct and indirect comparisons using laboratory data from GRID members.
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
Realization of the defined strategy.

Term of reference 4(Education & Outreach)
List 2022 accomplishments for this Term of Reference
Definition of strategy/planned activities:
1-2 d workshop at WorldLab
Webinar
Minor workshop
List planned activities in 2023 for this Term of Reference
3h-Workshop at AACC 2023 (Ken Sikaris, Thomas Streichert, Jakob Zierk)
Webinar in November (Mary Kathryn Bohn, Ken Sikaris, Jakob Zierk)
Planning of 1-day-workshop at WorldLab 2024 in Durban (if approved)2022 MEETINGS / CONFERENCE CALLS HELD (VIRTUAL & IN PERSON)
8 ZOOM meetings (1-2 hrs)
Live meetings in Munich and Brussels (4 hrs each)
MEETING SCHEDULE IN 2023
Monthly meetings (first Friday every month), approx. 1 h, ZOOM call
Meeting at WorldLab (May 21, 4 hrs)
Presentations at IFCC General
Conference 2022 (JZ) and World Lab 2023 (JZ)
Webinar scheduled for November 2023 (JZ, KS, MKB)

Jacob Zierk, TF-GRID Chair

167

FOUNDATION FOR EMERGING NATIONS

The activities of the FEN were again severely impacted during 2022 because of the Covid-19
pandemic.
The FEN Board:• Approved the annual report and accounts for 2022
• Achieved tax exemption from the Swiss Regulatory Authority
The pandemic meant that it has not been possible for five scholarship recipients to visit their
host laboratories in S Korea and the UK. The scholarships have been held over into 2023.
Fundraising for the FEN is contingent on the completion of ongoing projects. Therefore, noattempts were made to raise fresh funding during the year.
The Board acknowledges the excellent support of Paola Bramati.
The Board hopes that 2023 will be a more productive and effective year.
Graham Beastall FEN Chair168

REGIONAL FEDERATIONSREGIONAL FEDERATIONS AFFILIATED WITH IFCC
There are six main Regional Professional Laboratory Medicine organizations which can beconsidered IFCC regional partners:• AFCB - Arab Federation of Clinical Biochemistry• AFCC - African Federation of Clinical Chemistry• APFCB - Asia-Pacific federation of Clinical Biochemistry• COLABIOCLI - Latin-American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry• EFLM - European Federation Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine• NAFCC – North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

AFCB
Arab Federation of Clinical Biology
The year 2022 saw AFCB's scientific activities return to normal.
The cooperation initiated between member countries during the COVID-19 pandemic continued,
with each bringing its own expertise and know-how to the table.
We were particularly pleased to welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as new member, and welook forward to more applications in the future.
International congresses were organized by member countries, and many new projects
were launched:• An online continuing education project is now up and running, and the federation's board
voted unanimously in favor of promoting young people's education and international
exchange programs.
• A quality management training program with a free access to all members has been
discussed and a committee started working on it.
• Cooperation agreements with international societies were under discussion and should
be signed notably with the EFLM and FIFBCML.
• Activity Report of 5 AFCB member societies (SDBLB, SMCC, SSCC, SCLA and STBC)
were received as follows:
LEBANON: Syndicat des Biologistes du Liban / Lebanese Syndicate of Clinical Biologists (SDBLB)

National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

The 2022 international meeting of the SDBL
(under the auspices of the IFCC, AFCB,FIBCML)

8-10 september 2022

La Biologie Médicale en Temps
de crise(s)Also : The Lebanese Syndicate of Clinical Biologists organized in 2022:
4 webinars with over 100 participants
3 meetings in different regions with 50-60 participants
3 scientific seminars in Beirut area
An external Quality Control (ASQUALAB) Biochemistry program was offered for free to all members
A continuous medical education online ( e-Medicinimage) was offered for free to all members(Hematology, Micology, Microbiology)
With the support of the two associations ASQUALAB and Medicinimage
169

A website for the SDBL ( webmaster Dr Najla El Bizri) offering plenty of educational tools was
put online. All Syndicate’s members technical and scientific problems were followed- up by acommittee dedicated to help
Regional relations
All AFCB members
Lebanese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology
Lebanese Society of Pneumology
Lebanese Society of Critical Care Medicine
Lebanese Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
International relations
IFCC
AFCB
FIFBCML
JIB
SFBC
SFM

MOROCCO: Société Marocaine de Chimie Clinique / Moroccan Societyof Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SMCC)
Activities organized in 2022:
Les 22èmes Journées Marocaines de Biologie Clinique et le 5ème Congrès International Francophone
de Biologie Clinique et Médecine de Laboratoire

Under the auspices of the IFCC and the FIFBCML
22-24 september 2022

170

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry (SSCC)

ACTIVITY

PLACE

Type

1

General Concept of Safety
in Medical Laboratories

Onlineworkshop2
3
4Medlab Middle East

Dubai

Hemostasis Seminar

5
6
7

DATE

CME

Jan 08,2022

3 Hrs.

Booth

24-27 Jan 2022----

OnlinewebinarJan 31,2022

2 Hrs.

Series Laboratory Biomarkers
of Diseases Growth Hormone
Disorders

OnlineworkshopFeb 15,2022

2 Hrs.

Culture Free Sepsis Diagnosis

OnlinewebinarFeb 22,2022

2 Hrs.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Congress Virtual

Conference

20-22 Feb 2022

24 Hrs.

‫نم دحلاو ةيبطلا تاربتخملا ةيمها‬‫ةيثارولا ضارمالا‬OnlineAwareness

Feb 28,2022

----

8

‫نم دحلاو ةيبطلا تاربتخملا ةيمها‬‫ةيثارولا ضارمالا‬AlbahaBooth

Mar 09,2022

----

9

The Role of SARS-CoV-2 Rapid
Antigen POCT Test During thePandemic

OnlineworkshopMar 28,2022

----

10
11

Laboratory Day Accreditation

OnlineSeminarMar 31,2022

8 Hrs.

12

Innovations and Advancements
in Point-Of-Care Blood Gas Testing

OnlinewebinarApril 07,2022

2 Hrs.

13
14‫ناضمر مايصو يركسلا‬OnlineAwareness

April 16,2022----

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

AlkhobarMay 25,2022

2 Hrs.

15

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Almedina

May 28,2022

2 Hrs.

16
17

Immunoassay Workshop

Jeddah

4 Hrs.

‫ةيدوعسلا ةيعمجلا ةلجمل لوالا ددعلا‬‫ةيريرسلا ءايميكلل‬March 2022‫روضحل ةيعمجلا ءاضعا نم لماع وضع معد‬Workshop

May 30,2022

conference

From
July 24,2022August 29,2022

WorkshopJune 01,2022

2 Hrs.

June 02,2022

2 Hrs.

June 07,2022

2 Hrs.

‫يلودلا رمتؤملا‬AACC Annual Scientific Meeting
2022

18
19

Immunoassay Workshop

Abha

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Riyadh20

The Role of SARS-Cov-2 Rapid
Antigen POCT Testing During thePandemic

Online21‫ةيدوعسلا ةيعمجلا ةلجمل يناثلا ددعلا‬‫ةيريرسلا ءايميكلل‬22

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

QassimWorkshop

Aug 8,2022

2 Hrs.

23

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Hail

Workshop

Aug 11,2022

2 Hrs.

24

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Tabuk

Workshop

Aug 13,2022

2 Hrs.

webinarJune 2022

171

ACTIVITY

PLACE

Type

25

Forensic Evidence in Criminal
Investigation

JeddahWorkshop

Aug 23,2022

3 Hrs.

26

Analyzation of hormonal profile
in investigation of female infertility
and diagnosis of thyroid

Al-JoufWorkshop

Aug 30,2022

2 Hrs.

27

Analyzation of hormonal profile
in investigation of female infertility
and diagnosis of thyroid

NajranWorkshop

Sep 06,2022

2 Hrs.

28

Analyzation of hormonal profile
in investigation of female infertility
and diagnosis of thyroid

Jazan

Workshop

Sep 08,2022

2 Hrs.

29
30‫هيلع ظفاحو كبلق فرعا‬OnlineAwareness

Sep 19,2022----‫ ةيفاعلا لافتحا‬, ‫عم ًانمازت يويح عمتجم‬‫يدوعسلا ينطولا مويلا‬OnlineAwareness

Sep 22,2022

----

31
32

‫ةدالولا يثيدحل ركبملا صحفلا‬OnlineAwareness

Sep 26,2022

----

33

‫ةيدوعسلا ةيعمجلا ةلجمل ثلاثلا ددعلا‬‫ةيريرسلا ءايميكلل‬34‫د( ةيعمجلا ءاضعا نم لماع وضع معد‬. ‫يلع‬‫رمتؤملا ثدحتمك ةكراشملل )بيضعلا‬‫نانويلاب يلودلا‬conference35‫د( ةيعمجلا ءاضعا نم لماع وضع معد‬.
‫رمتؤملا ثدحتمك ةكراشملل )يعرب رونأ‬conference‫يثيدحل ركبملا صحفلا نع روشورب‬‫ةدالولا‬

DATE

CME

Awareness
Sep,2022
October‫يلودلا‬Medlab36

The Controversy over Different
HbA1c as Measured by Different
Techniques

OnlineWorkshop

Oct 5,202237‫ماظنل ةيناثلا ةودنلا ةلماكتم ةيحص ةايح‬‫وتيكلا‬JeddahAwareness

Oct 12,2022

38

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Almedina

Workshop

Oct 19,2022

2 Hrs.

39

Utilization of Testosterone Hormoneand Herpes Simplex Virus

Abha

Workshop

Oct 26,2022

2 Hrs.

41

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
Workshop

RiyadhWorkshop

Nov 10,2022

4 Hrs.

42
43

Plasma Proteins Science Day 2022

OnlineNov 10,2022‫مويلا عم ًانمازت لافطألاو يركسلا ضرم‬‫ركسلل يملاعلا‬OnlineWebinarAwareness44

4th International Meeting in Clinical
Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine& SSCC 8th Annual Meeting

RiyadhRiyadhHybridDec 6-8,2022

15 Hrs.

45
46
47

1st Low Carb Society Workshop

Jeddahconference

Dec 10,2022

6 Hrs.

‫كتيفاع كؤاذغ ةيوعوت لمع ةشرو‬JeddahWorkshopDec 10,2022

Hormone and Immunoassay
Workshop

Dubai

Awareness

Dec 11,2022

Total

172

2 Hrs.

Nov 15,2022

5 Hrs.

84 Hrs.

SYRIA: Syrian Clinical Laboratory Association (SCLA)
A scientific meeting was organised by the Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases Society incollaboration with SCLA. Dr. Khatib has delivered a lecture on New-borne Screening. The same
topic was also shared with the Neonatal Society.
A lecture on Vitamin D was also presented by Dr. A. Khatib at a meeting organised by the Syrian
Physician’s Syndicate. SCLA has participated in a workshop organised by SNIBE at the Four
Seasons hotel presenting lectures on Vitamin D by Dr. Khatib and Hepatitis markers by Dr. G.
Shannan.
SCLA in collaboration with the Pharmacists Syndicate has organed a scientific conference atDama Rose of Damascus where several lectures were delivered by scientists of SCLA.
SCLA has participated in the scientific days of various private universities including Al Rasheed& Al Cham universities.
Dr. G. Shannan has delivered a lecture on Microbiome & Microbiota at the Faculty of Pharmacy
of Damascus University and for the members of Old Damascus Society.
SCLA has participated in the Conferences of Pharmacists Syndicates of Aleppo & Lattakia. Dr.
F. Qubeily, Dr. L. Yousef, Dr. A. Alassad and Dr. A. Khatib had presented their experiences at theArab Federation of Clinical Biology which was held in Beirut.
Dr. G. Shannan has received the Distinguished IFCC Award for International Service in Seol
during the WorldLab.
Several colleagues from Syria have actively participated in the activities of the MediterraneanCongress which was held in Corfu, Greece. Dr. A. Khatib and Dr. G. Shannan had presented
two lectures.

TUNISIA: Société Tunisienne de Biologie Clinique / Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology(STBC)

National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

35èmes Journées Nationales de Biologie
Clinique26-27 & 28 Mai 2022

Biology at the center of the care process2èmes Journées Tunisiennes de Biologie
Praticienne

27 & 28/10/2022

Cancer and biology

18-19/02/2022

TunisManagement of laboratory equipment

34

19/02/2022

Kébili4th Day of Clinical Biology of Kebili

90

04/03/2022

Tunis

Validation and Verification of methods of medical biology laboratories

30

11-12/03/2022

Tunis

The metrology in the laboratories of analysis

28

25-26/03/2022

Tunis

Audit of the quality management system25

01/12/2022

Monastir

Biological Risk Management in Medical Laboratories

27

16/12/2022

Tunis

Approach of the immunological assessment in case of autoimmune
disease of the central nervous system33

27/01/2023

Gabès

Validation of the blood count47

24/02/2023

Tunis

6 sigma approach and implementation and follow-up of quality controls 45

173

Regional relations
Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir
Tunisian Syndicat of biology
Tunisian Society of General and Family Medicine
International relations
IFCC
AFCB
FIFBCML
BIOMED J
JIB
SFBC
ALAM
SFM
Additional information
The president of our national society is Prof. Manel Chaâbane (cmanel@yahoo.fr) (since theelections of the executive board hold in February 20th, 2021). She is the new representative of
our national society.
Christian Haddad MD, MHS, President

174

AFCC
African Federation of Clinical Chemistry
Dear Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to present this report. This again has been a very difficult period for the
AFCC due to the COVID 19 pandemic in which we could only commence some activities as fromthe 4th month of 2022. In fact due to this pandemic we could not achieve many of the proposed
activities that were presented as our operational plan for 2020/21.However despite this we wereable to engage in multiple activities as listed below as well as support our young scientists
Conference participation
President was invited to the inaugural conference of Malawian Association of Medical Lab
Scientists in Feb 2020 and the Egyptian Quality Improvement Conference (MRC Chemical
Pathology)
Towards the end of 2020, AFCC was asked to participate in an IFCC supported conference on
COVID-19 which was held virtually in February, 2021.
AFCC provided auspices to the Egyptian MRC (Chemical Pathology ) Congresses in 2021 and2022. Prof Erasmus was an invited speaker and he gave a talk virtually.
AFCC Support for 1st Cardiometabolic Health and Diabetes Africa Congress (22-25 Feb
2022)
AFCC supported this congress and also assisted in its planning through Prof Erasmus. AFCC
supported 40 scientists, members of the Board and nominees from Task Force on Young
Scientists (total number supported was 70)
Webinar Presentations (see below)
1. The AFCC Young Scientists organized a webinar in March 2021
2. Subsequently a number of webinars were organized in collaboration with several academic
institutions and the Empower School of Health, Switzerland
Future Webinars: It was suggested that a Webinar Committee be appointed , members to be
drawn from the AFCC member societies. A committee was appointed in consultation with
Mr Gizachew Akalu. A suggestion has also been made by the Egyptian Society for Quality
Improvement
IFCC Webinar on POC in Resource Poor Countries – July, 2021
Turkish Society- Lab Ethics- June, 2021
Africa Health -Biomarkers for Diabetes – Oct 2021
Kenyan Association of Clinical Pathology (KACP) – Point of Care Testing – Oct, 2021
AFCC Contribution to IFCC COVID 19 Conference – Feb, 2021
AFCC Young Scientists Webinar to celebrate Lab Professionals Week – April, 2021
AFCC Ethical Lab Practice Workshop, March 2021
Quality Issues in Medical Laboratory- Elephant in the room May, 2021
Lab Professional Week:The Medical Lab Career Opportunities, April, 2021
AFCC Webinar on Lab Logistics – July 2021
MRC /Chemical Pathology Conference, Alexandria University, Egyptian Society for Lab
Improvement – April, 2021
Several webinars were also organized in 2022
Auspices
POCT Africa International Conference (auspices AFCC) – May, 2021
20 young scientists were sponsored to attend this conference
175Website Revamp
As recommended by the board the website was revamped by a company in Zambia who
initially collaborated with a company in Nigeria. The latter withdrew from the project. A contract
drawn up by the company to maintain the website was not approved by the Board. The Board
recommended that another company be engaged to revamp the website. The President obtained
3 quotes from South Africa and one of the 3 companies is expected to be chosen in 2023.
Appointment of Committees
The formation of 3 subcommittees was recommended.
a. Education and Training – Mr G Akalu
b. Standardisation and Traceability - Prof Anetorc. Point of Care Testing - Prof Erasmus
2 of the 3 committees have started and have initiated projects. The POCT Committee is working
closely with Siemens to harmonise POCT policies and training throughout Africa. A project onestablishing reference intervals for glucose is underway subject to obtaining ethical approval.
Organization of BSZ AFCC Regional Conference (Nov 2021)
The conference was postponed to Nov 11th due to the COVID 19 epidemic. The conference wasorganized virtually in collaboration with Ministry of Health Zambia and the University of Zambia.
Their assistance is acknowledged as well as the LOC chaired by Mr V Daka and the chair of the
Scientific Committee, Prof Sody Munsaka
The President facilitated the academic program by suggesting the names of 20 international
speakers. The LOC was able to get 6 sponsors while the AFCC president managed to get 1
sponsor
IFCC supported the conference by approving the participation of 3 IFCC Committees (Emerging
Technologies, Lab Mx and POCT). The conference was well attended and a huge success.
BSZ Annual Conference, Livingstone 16-28 December, 2022
BSZ organized their annual conference from 16-18th December in Livingstone. The conference
was originally planned from 24-26th November. They were successful in obtaining 2 international
speakers through the IFCC VLP program. These were Prof Erasmus (South Africa and Prof
Okesina (Nigeria). 30 young scientists were supported to attend this conferenceSponsorships
AFCC supported young scientists to:a. IFCC Conference on COVID, 2021
b. POCT Africa Conference, 2021
c. BSZ AFCC Conference, 2021
d. 1st Africa Cardio Metabolic Conference, 2022
e. IFCC WorldLab, Seoul, 2022
f. BSZ Annual Conference, 2022
Communication
It has been a difficult task to keep up with multiple emails, requests and notices. This has
resulted in lapses in communication. It is strongly suggested that a secretariat be formed andstaffed by a part time person. Proposals have been sent to Biomedical Society of Zambia andEthiopian Medical Lab Association. BSZ has in the mean time informally agreed to host the
AFCC Secretariat
AFCC Rep to IFCC Global Lab Week GroupMr H Lumano will represent the AFCC
176

Revenue
No revenue has been received in 2021 and 2022 though the allocation of funds from IFCC was
increased
The new system for receiving funds is now linked to specific activities for which invoices aresent to the IFCC office once the activity is approved by IFCC Treasurer.
Collaboration with AACC and EFLM
This has commenced and is expected to grow further in 2023.
Proposed MOU with Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities
A MOU has been prepared towards collaboration and co-operation between Egyptian Supreme
Council, Siemens Middle East and AFCC to promote training and education throughout Africa.
Hopefully this will be signed in 2023
WorldLab Korea, June, 2022
The president and other members of the Board could not attend this meeting due to delays ingetting the visas and police clearances and thus the face to face Board meeting was postponed.
The AFCC supported 6 young scientists and gave a grant of US$1500 to each awardee. Theirreports can be found on the IFCC website
Invitation to AFCC President to attend CALILAB 2022, Argentina, 7-9th November, 2022
AFCC President was invited to the annual congress of the Argentinian Society of Clinical
Chemistry. The president was able to get funding from Stellenbosch University and NRF(National Research Foundation and also managed to get 3 other colleagues invited as they had
funds to sponsor themselves
New Affiliate Member of AFCC/IFCC
The Botswana Institute of Lab Scientists has become the latest member of IFCC and AFCC.
AFCC will be organizing a meeting with them most probably in April, 2023. Prof Erasmus had ameeting with Siemens to support this meeting. (This was originally slated for Nov 2022 but has
now been shifted – see below)
Proposed AFCC Workshop in Botswana to celebrate their membership of AFCC
in November, 2022 and face to face AFCC Board meeting at IFCC General Conferencein Brussels, 29th October, 2022
This proposed workshop was postponed at the request of the Botswana Association thus the
proposed face to face Board meeting had to be cancelled. The president proposed that theBoard meet in Brussels at the IFCC General Conference.
AFCC Board meeting ( face to face) 29th October, 2022
The IFCC kindly agreed for the Board members to come to the General Conference in Brussels
from 29-30th October. Accommodation was funded by IFCC and air tickets paid by AFCC.
The face to face board meeting planned for Livingstone, Zambia could not take place due tolack of quorum and poor connectivity
AFCC Account
The financial affairs of AFCC are in good standing and have enabled several face to face Board
meetings as well as sponsor young scientists to international meetings
ElectionsElections for the new AFCC Board are currently in process. The current Board would like towelcome the President Elect, Dr Mabel Charles Davies as the incoming President
177

The current Board whose period of office was extended by one year stepped down on 31st
December, 2022
Constitutional Changes
The Secretary has proposed a number of constitutional changes which will be taken forward
by the new Board.
AFCC Representation on IFCC Board
The Board would like to express its gratitude to Prof Okesina for ensuring that AFCC and its
activities received adequate support from the IFCC
Challenges
Reluctance of industry to fund AFCC workshops due to recession
Future Plans
Establishment of AFCC Secretariat
Revamping of Website
Collaboration with Industry on future webinars and workshops
Increasing membership by 10% (Liberia, Tanzania and Uganda) in 2023/24
AFCC Regional Conference.
Fund raising
Face to face Board meeting at EuroMedLab, Rome, May, 2023
The outgoing President would like to thank all the Board members for their support. AFCC would
also like to express its gratitude to IFCC in supporting its academic activities throughout 2022

Rajiv Erasmus, President

178

APFCB
Asia-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
After the pandemic showed a significant decline since the beginning of 2022, activities aroundthe world started to roll slowly but surely. Meetings during 2022 were held with utmost caution
while not everyone were feeling safe to travel at the beginning, but life became quite normal
later in the year, although hybrid meetings became a convenient way of organising conferences.
Which also happened to APFCB. APFCB had it’s congress in June 2022, which was a joint hybrid
congress between the IFCC, APFCB and KSCC. This was a change of plan from the previous
schedule of the APFCB congresses as 2022 was planned for the APFCB congress in Sydney,
Australia. The change of schedules and places were unavoidable due the circumstances, andthe joint congress in Seoul, Korea, was a good compromise to start in-person meetings. Apartfrom the congress in Seoul, Korea, APFCB activities continued as shown below.
Ordinary members and Affiliate members were the same in numbers, but activity of members
did decrease during the past years. Some Corporate members were delisted as result of nonresponsiveness, but we are glad to see some new ones.
ORDINARY MEMBERS (in alphabetical order) The members of the APFCB which is now 39
years old are as follows:
1. Full/ordinary Members, Affiliate Members and Corporate Members status 2021
The ordinary membership had not seen any change during 2022, although the pandemic may haveaffected some members causing inactivity and unresponsiveness during the yearAustralasian
Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB)
1. Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB)
2. Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI)
3. Association for Clinical Biochemistry, Srilanka (ACBSL)
4. Chinese Association for Clinical Biochemistry, Taiwan (CACB)
5. Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine (CSLM)
6. Hong Kong Society of Clinical Chemistry (HKSCC)
7. Indonesian Association of Clinical Chemistry (IACC)
8. Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD)
9. Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC)
10. Korean Society of Clinical Chemistry (KSCC)
11. Malaysian Association of Clinical Biochemistry (MACB)
12. Mongolian Association of Health Laboratorians (MAHL)
13. Nepal Association for Medical Laboratory Science (NAMLS)
14. Pakistan Society of Clinical Pathologists (PSCP)
15. Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET)
16. Singapore Association of Clinical Biochemistry (SACB)
17. Thailand Association of Clinical Biochemistry (TACB)
18. Vietnamese Association of Clinical Biochemistry (VACB)
2. AFFILIATE MEMBERS (in alphabetical order)
There was no change either on the list of affiliate membership during 2022; although there weresome non-responders
1. Association of Medical Biochemists of India (AMBI)
2. Chinese Association of Clinical Laboratory Management (CACLM)
3. College of Chemical Pathologists of Srilanka (CCPSL)
4. Macao Laboratory Medicine Association (MLMA)
179

5.
6.

Nepalese Association of Clinical Chemistry (NACC)
Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories (PCQACL)

3. CORPORATE MEMBERS (in alphabetical order)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Beckman Coulter Hong Kong Ltd
Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd (BD Diagnostics-Preanalytical Systems)
Bio-Rad Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd
DiaSys Diagnostic Systems GmbH
Quidel Ortho*
Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Sekisui Medical Co Ltd
Siemens Healthcare Pte Ltd
Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co Ltd (Snibe Diagnostic)
Sukraa Software Solution Pvt Ltd
Sysmex Corporation
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs(RCPAQAP)
Thermo Fisher Sientific
Waters Pacific Pte Ltd

We are welcoming one new corporate member beginning 2023: Greiner Bio-one. (*) delisted
before 2022 and reinstated in 2022.
4. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRSDue to health reasons, Dr Sunil Sethi, who was supposed to chair as APFCB President until
the end of 2022, resigned in September 2022, and the Vice President, Endang Hoyaranda, took
over the Presidentship.
Executive Board:• President: Dra Endang Hoyaranda (IACC)• Immediate Past-President: Dr Leslie Lai (MACB)• Vice President: became vacant as the Vice President became President• Secretary: Dr Helen Martin (AACB)• Treasurer: Dr Leila L Florento (PAMET)• Corporate Representative (co-opt): Dr Douglas Chung (Abbott)Committee Chairs:• Scientific Committee Chair: Dr Samuel Vasikaran (AACB)• Education and Laboratory Management Chair: Dr Tony Badrick (AACB)• Communication Committee Chair: Dr Raja Elina Raja Aziddin (MACB)• Congresses and Conferences Chair: Dr Praveen Sharma (ACBI)

180

The following are activities conducted by the committees:
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ACTIVITIESCommittee Chair:

Dr Samuel Vasikaran

Members:		

Tze Ping Loh, Chair of Harmonization of Reference Intervals WG			Ronda Greaves, Chair of Mass Spectrometry Harmonisation WG

			Mohamed Saleem, Chair of Laboratory Data for Improving Diagnostics WG			Mithu Banerjee, Chair of Diabetes Testing Harmonisation WG

			Pavai Sthaneswar, Chair of APFCB / WASPaLM Task Force on CKD

1. Reference Intervals WG
The Harmonization of Reference Intervals WG has examined and compared indirect methods
for the derivation of reference intervals using data from laboratories within the Asia-Pacificregion. The results of these studies have resulted in three publications.
Publications:a. Comparison of two (data mining) indirect approaches for between-subject biologicalvariation determination. Tan RZ, et al; APFCB Harmonization of Reference Intervals
Working Group. Clin Biochem 2022 Apr 27: S0009-9120(22)00118-7. doi: 10.1016/j.
clinbiochem.2022.04.015. Online ahead of print
b. Comparison of 8 methods for univariate statistical exclusion of pathologicalsubpopulations for indirect reference intervals and biological variation studies.
Tan RZ, et al; APFCB Harmonization of Reference Intervals Working Group. Clin
Biochem 2022; 103: 16-24
c. Comparison of four indirect (data mining) approaches to derive within-subject
biological variation. Tan RZ, et al; APFCB Harmonization of Reference Intervals
Working Group. Clin Chem Lab Med 2022;60(4):636-44.
2. Mass Spectrometry Harmonisation WG
A multicentre study of the influence of internal standard on the analysis of 17-hydroxyprogesterone
by LCMSMS was completed in association with RCPAQAP – AACB and IFCC ETD PediatricHormonics Working Group.
A study of patients presenting to the National Children’s Hospital in Vietnam with 5α-reductase
type 2 deficiency detected by GC-MS analysis of the urinary steroid metabolome was conducted.
The additional aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of urinary steroid
metabolite ratios in the diagnosis of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency.
Publications:a. Validation of steroid ratios for random urine by mass spectrometry to detect
5α-reductase deficiency in Vietnamese children. Tran TCM, et al. Clin Chem Lab
Med 2022 May 24. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0272. Online ahead of print
b. Influence of isotopically labeled internal standards on quantification of serum/plasma
17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Loh TP, et al. Clin Chem Lab Med 2020 Sep 25;58(10):1731-1739.

181

3. Laboratory data for improving Diagnostics WG
The WG has Analysed Laboratory Data for Improving Diagnostics and produced data on thereporting of critical results in Asian laboratories and Quality indicators in Chinese Laboratories.
These survey reports will be used to support healthcare goals for improved disease managementin the region. The support of Roche Diagnostics for this activity is acknowledged.
Publications:a. A current analysis of quality indicators in Chinese clinical Laboratories. Saleem M, etal. J Lab Precis Med 2021;6:16
b. Turnaround times and modes of reporting critical results in Asian laboratories.
Badrick T, et al. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 2021:58(3):247-50.
4. Diabetes Testing Harmonisation WG
The WG conducting surveys of diabetes testing and reporting practices in the region. Resultsof surveys conducted in the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka have been presented at the
PAMET conference in 2018, the APFCB Congress in 2019 and the CCPSL Congress in 2020
respectively. Survey has also been concluded in Singapore and the results are being analysedfor publication. It is clear that whilst most laboratories follow recommended practices, there issome lag in laboratory practices in some areas which could benefit from activities to harmonize
and update practice. Ideally, this would be locally driven, led by each national professional
body, but APFCB would support these activities going forward.
Publication:a. Trends in laboratory testing practice for diabetes mellitus. Banerjee M, Vasikaran S.
eJIFCC 2020;31:(3):231-41.

5. APFCB-WASPaLM TF-CKD
The WG has undertaken a survey of testing and reporting practices for CKD related laboratory
indices in India in order to ascertain concordance of reporting practices with current guidelines
and industry standards. The results are being analysed and it is hoped that the data would help
harmonize practice according to current recommendations throughout the region.
6. Masterclass webinars: Interpretative commenting on clinical chemistry reports
Webinars to discuss and analyse interpretative comments and to educate laboratory professionals
on the addition of interpretative commenting commenced in August 2020. Numerous webinars
on various Clinical Biochemistry topics have been concluded with wide participation from theregion. The resource material and the recordings of these webinars are available on the APFCB
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoiicTsnVX-COjklgZHQ54Q/videos
Future webinars are planned on a monthly basis. The support and the excellent organisation of
the webinars by Dr Pearline Teo, Siemens Healthcare Pte Ltd is acknowledged.

182

EDUCATION AND LABORATORY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ACTIVITIESCommittee Chair:

Dr Tony Badrick

Members: 		

Dr Lia Gardenia Partakusuma (Indonesia)			

Dr Tze Ping Loh (Singapore)			Dr Ronda Greaves (Australia)

			

Dr Raja Elina (Malaysia)

			Dr July Kumalawati (Indonesia)			Dra Endang Hoyaranda (Indonesia)

			

Dr Jozi Habijanic (Roche Corporate)

			Dr Amit Manjure (Siemens Corporate)			Dr Rojeet Shrestha (Japan)			

Dr Hong-yew Lim (Roche Corporate)

The role of the C-ELM is to provide support for member organisations in education. This usually
involves the organisation of visiting lecturers, seminars, and training activities. Travel restrictions
were stringent as impact of the Covid pandemic. Other means for education programs were
implemented to continue the C-ELM activities.
1. APFCB Travelling Lecturer
The APFCB Visiting Lecturer for 2021/22 was Dr Helen Martin from Australia. Whilst there weretravel restrictions on this key role, virtual lectures continued.
2. APFCB - Roche - 12th Chemical Pathology Course - Vietnam
This is an ongoing annual event organised by Roche in collaboration with Rhonda Greaves from
Australia. In 2020, the virtual event attracted approximately 400 participants and consisted of a
mixture of invited and local speakers presenting on routine chemical pathology topics.
The course is supported and endorsed by many prestigious local and international medicalorganisations and associations, such as International Federation of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine (IFCC), Asia-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (APFCB), Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB), Vietnamese
Association of Clinical Biochemists (VACB), Ho Chi Minh City Association of Clinical Biochemists(HACB), Ho Chi Minh City Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists (HAMLT), Bach Mai
Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital and other medical organizations and Associations.
3. APFCB-AACC Workshops
The APFCB has been collaborating with the AACC with their Global Lab Quality Initiative (GLQI)
as part of the Asia-Pacific Working Group (APWG). It was not possible to run any workshop in
2020. After being delayed for three years, this workshop is planned to run in Mongolia in 2023.
4. Workshop on Laboratory Testing of Covid-19
As the information of laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19 was rapidly evolving
with new information arising on a daily basis, laboratory professionals needed a constant
update on the developments. Furthermore, many developing countries were struggling to meet183

requirements of appropriate testing not only because of lack of resources but also due to lackof well-trained laboratory professionals on the molecular assays. To help lab professionals withappropriate guide in COVID-19 testing, the APFCB committee for Education and Laboratory
Management organised a two-day virtual workshop that contained a series of lectures fromexperts as a complete guide on Laboratory Testing of COVID-19.
5. APFCB Young Scientist Award Objectives
a. The APFCB Young Scientist Award Competition: this is a scientific paper competition
conducted by the APFCB through its Education and Laboratory Management
Committee with the following objectives:b. Foster scientific potential of young scientists within the Asia-Pacific regionc. As a means of aiding and encouraging young scientists in written and oral
communication of their research resultsd. There were 12 recipients at this meeting.
6. APFCB Becton Dickinson Pre-Analytical Improvement Project
The collaboration of APFCB with BD to provide our members with a digital guideline for preanalytical procedures was finalised (ppt, in English) and presented as a series of fortnightly
webinars during 12 weeks in September through November 2021, with the following topics:
a. Introduction to Pre-analytical Issues (Dr Sunil Sethi and Dra Endang Hoyaranda)
b. Module A1 - Phlebotomist Attributes (Ms Constance Mak)
c. Module A2 - Specimen Collection via Venipuncture (Dr Tjan Sian Hwa and Dr Tester
Ashavaid) as Webinar 3 and 4
d. Module A3 - Specimen Collection via Vascular Access Devices (Dr Brian Smith)e. Module A4 - Specimen Transportation (Dr Leila Florento).
The webinars were very successful, attended by hundreds of participants from the Asia-Pacificregion, mainly ASEAN, but also from outside the region. It is intended that there will be anannual pre-analytic webinar series.

Report on APFCB Preanalytical
Masterclass Webinar Series
Reported by Shireen Kaur Pannu,
Clinical Marketing Manager, BD

184

COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
The APFCB Communications and Publications Committee (C-CP) is responsible for thedevelopment and management of the APFCB website and coordination of the online
activities of the APFCB as well as for the online publication of APFCB news. The new Chairof Communications and Publications Committee for the term 2020-2022 was appointed on 4
February 2020.
Members of the committee
for this term are as follows:		

Dr. Raja Elina Raja Aziddin (Chair)					Dr. Purvi Purohit (Web Editor)					Dr. Rojeet Shrestha (Media Coordinator)					Dr. Pradeep Dabla					Will Greene (Corporate -Roche) and					Lim Ai Tin (Corporate -Siemens)

The new C-CP team took over just at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The pandemic
which resulted in lockdowns, travel restrictions and limited face-to-face interactions, prompted
the team to strengthen the virtual presence of the APFCB through its official website, social media
and the APFCB e-newsletter. Throughout the term, the C-CP has kept active communicationand promoted the activities of the APFCB via electronic means not only to its member societies
in the Asia Pacific region but also to countries under the IFCC.
1. APFCB website development, maintenance and management
The C-CP is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of the APFCB
website. Since April 2020, the APFCB website has frequently been updated with the latest
information on webinars, online courses, virtual conferences of the APFCB, its member societies
and international professional bodies. Also available are scientific publications, guidelines,
recorded and live webinars on various topics of interest.
The C-CP also oversees the management of the website which has been awarded to a third
party, Ubitech Solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic which dramatically accelerated the trend towards working remotely
and pushed more and more activities online saw shortcomings and limitations of the APFCB
website. In view of this, the APFCB website is currently under review and a new and improved
mobile dynamic website is currently under construction. Work on the new design began in May
2022. Launch of the new website is in January 2023.
2. APFCB social media development and management
In this age of digitalization, social media has become a powerful platform to communicate anddisseminate news and information. As an effort for effective communication and distribution ofnews and updates of APFCB’s activities among the national societies and clinical laboratory
professionals, the C-CP created social media accounts for the APFCB. Since August 2020,
the APFCB is officially available on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Since then, the C-CP has been actively using social media to communicate and disseminate
news and information on APFCB’s recent activities which includes publications, congress andevents, nominations and awards as well as promoting various e-learning activities and materials
produced by the APFCB.
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Links to the APFCB social media pages are as follows

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/APFCB/Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFCB_LM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apfcb_lm/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apfcb/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoiicTsnVX-COjklgZHQ54Q
3. Publication of online activities, educational materials and resources
The application of the virtual platform for educational and training purposes accelerated withthe onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Realising the need for fast, accurate and reliable information on Covid-19, the C-CP took
initiatives as early as April 2020 to upload scientific publications, guidelines, recorded andlive webinars on COVID-19. From August 2020, with the assistance of the APFCB Educationand Lab Management Committee (C-ELM) and corporate members, additional educational andtraining material on other topics of interest were uploaded on the PAFCB website so as toprovide its members easy access to education and training.
The C-CP team also collaborated with other committees such as the C-ELM, Scientific and
C-CC as well the corporate sector to coordinate the APFCB online activities. Announcementsof upcoming events such as the APFCB Masterclass webinars on Interpretative Commenting,webinars under the APFCB auspices, IFCC webinars, APFCB Congress, IFCC Townhall event,conferences of the APFCB member societies were made available on the homepage of the
APFCB website https://www.apfcb.org/index.html. Also available on the homepage is the
APFCB virtual workshop on Complete Guide on Laboratory Testing of COVID-19.
To date, recordings and slides of past APFCB Masterclass Webinars on Interpretative
Commenting have been uploaded on the webinars page of the APFCB website at https://www.
apfcb.org/webinars.html. Also available on the webinars page are the IFCC webinars. Links topast webinars organised by the APFCB corporate members under the auspices of the APFCB
are listed under the Congress and Conferences Committee page at https://www.apfcb.org/
conferences.html. Links to these events have also been made available on APFCB social media
which are listed at the footnote on the APFCB website homepage.

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4. Promotional Activities
All upcoming events of the APFCB are promoted on the APFCB website homepage as well as
on social media. In addition, the C-CP also sends out blast email invitations to members andreminders on upcoming events. The C-CP is continuously expanding the list of members in its
database.
5. Publication of APFCB NewsThe C-CP is also responsible for the online publication of APFCB News. The new elected chairof the C-CP was also appointed as Chief Editor of the APFCB News.
The newsletter is published twice yearly and is available on the APFCB website as an e-bookand can be downloaded as a pdf copy. The APFCB News is an important publication of the
APFCB as it contains reports of APFCB activities under the various committees, report on IFCC
activities as well as reports from member societies.
To standardise article submissions, the C-CP team drew up a Guideline for the submissionof reports, articles and advertisements to the APFCB News in May 2021. This guideline isavailable on the APFCB website homepage via this link: https://www.apfcb.org/Submission%20
Guidelines%20APFCB%20News%20050721.pdf.
In following with tradition, the cover of the APFCB newsletter features paintings of Dr Tan It
Koon, founder and past President of APFCB. In honour of his contributions and support to
the APFCB, a feature article on Dr Tan It Koon, written by Mr Joseph Lopez, past president of
APFCB was published in APFCB News 2021 Issue 1.
In line with the C-CP efforts to provide members access to educational material, educational
articles have been included in the APFCB news from 2020 Issue 2 onwards. Since then, theresponse for educational article submission has been very encouraging. To further strengthen
the educational content of the APFCB newsletter, opinion papers from experts have also been
published in the newsletter since 2020 Issue 2. With this addition, the C-CP hopes to make the
APFCB News a useful platform not only for sharing information on the activities carried out in
the Asia Pacific region but also to make it a useful resource for knowledge sharing.
To encourage more participation and involvement of corporate members, a section calledindustry voice was introduced in 2020 Issue 1. This section contains reports of corporate
member activities related to the APFCB such as reports on webinars under the auspices of the
APFCB. In early 2021, rates for advertisements in the APFCB News were revised to make it
more attractive to corporate members. Corporate members responded positively to the revised
rates and the APFCB newsletter has since published advertisements in the newsletter from
APFCB News 2021 Issue 1 onwards.
Another exciting feature added to APFCB News 2022 issue 1 is a quiz section which is a newfeature of the newsletter. Questions in this section are based on the APFCB webinars whichwere organized in 2020-2021 and which are still available on the APFCB website.
As the newsletter is published twice a year, 2 newsletters have been published during 2022,
following two editions a year during the previous years:

APFCB News 2022 Issue 1

APFCB News 2022 Issue 2

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CONGRESS AND CONFERENCES COMMITTEE
Committee Chair:			

Dr Praveen Sharma (India) - Chair

Members of the Committee:

Woei Horng Fang (Taiwan)					Ronaldo Puno (Philippines)					Prasenjit Mitra (India) Member					Will Greene (Roche - Corporate Member)					

Ai Tin Lim (Siemens - Corporate Member)

The mandate of the committee is to streamline the process of granting APFCB auspices tovarious scientific events like conferences, congresses, events organized by regional society
members, and corporate member events. With the COVID-19 situation affecting the global
scientific community, there were no applications for physical conferences. Rather, there was asurge in the events based on virtual platforms. The committee received a number of applications
for grant of APFCB auspices. During 2021-2022, the committee members evaluated and granted
APFCB auspices to the following scientific events.
1. Conferences and Courses:
Event name

Organised by

Event Start Date

Event End Date

North Zone ACBICON 2022

ACBI

22/04/22

23/04/22

29 AMBICON 2022

AMBI

18/07/22

23/07/22

15 IACC Conference 2022

IACC

25/06/22

27/06/22

Annual Academic sessions
CCPSL AAS 2022

CCPSL

26/08/22

27/08/22

32nd MACB (virtual) Conference 2022

MACB

11/09/22

13/09/22th

AACB 59 Annual Scientific
Conference 2022

AACB

18/10/22

20/10/22

48th ACBICON 2022

ACBI

23/11/22

26/11/22

Vietnam Chemical Pathology
Course XIII 2022

VACB

01/12/22

01/12/22thth

2. Corporate Member Events/Webinars:

188

Event name

Organised by

Event Date

Series of educational webinars focused on the Asia
Pacific region related to Prenatal & Pre-eclampsia
Screening, Clinical Biochemistry, Toxicology and 3rdparty QC

Thermo-Scientific

Multiple webinars 2021-2022

CORPORATE MEMBERS
Corporate Representative:		
Mr Alexander Wong; Co-opted since May 2022
					by Dr Douglas Chung, who was elected as full					Corporate Representative starting January 2023
Main Highlights:
a. Appointment of Corporate Representatives to APFCB Standing Committeesb. Zoomification of Corporate Member Activities
c. Sponsorships to various APFCB activities
d. Sholarships for Young Scientists
1. Active corporate members
There are a total of 14 active Corporate Members. In alphabetical order, they are:• Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
• Beckman Coulter Hong Kong Ltd.
• Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte. Ltd.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
• DiaSys Diagnostic Systems GmbH
• Quidel Ortho*• Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
• Sekisui Medical Co Ltd.
• Siemens Healthcare Pte Ltd.
• Snibe Diagnostics• Sukraa Software Solution Pvt Ltd.
• Sysmex Corporation• RCPAQAP• Thermo Fisher Scientific• Waters Pacific Pte Ltd.
2. New corporate members
One new corporate member, Waters Pacific Pte Ltd., was added. Another new member which
will be added in January 2023 is Greiner Bio One
3. Corporate Representative
In November 2021 there was a call for the Corporate Members to nominate and vote forcandidates for the next Corporate Representative. Dr Douglas Chung from Abbott has been
elected to serve as Corporate Representative for the next term commencing on 1 January 2023.
He will also co-opt the remainder of the current term from June 2022 to December 2022 as theprevious holder, Mr Alexander Wong, has vacated the position.

189

4. Benefits of Corporate Membership
4.1
Branding Opportunities
Branding opportunities with APFCB include: logo of Corporate Member on APFCB
website, acknowledgement during APFCB presentations delivered across the world,
linking corporate educational materials to APFCB website, etc.
4.2
Market Outreach
Reach laboratory professionals and scientific leaders across Asia Pacific withtouchpoints including e-Newsletters, APFCB Congresses, Joint APFCB Workshops/
Symposia, and Specialty Meetings under APFCB Auspices.
4.3
Active participation in APFCB committees
4.3.1
Work closely with Laboratory KOLs across the Asia Pacific region
on educational or scientific work groups aligned with Corporate Member’sinterests
4.3.2
Contribute to decisions for congresses & seminars in Asia Pacific4.3.3
Propose sponsorship opportunities aligned with Corporate Member’sinterests.
4.4
Special discounts for Corporate Members
4.4.1
10% discounts for APFCB Congress, for Corporate Members of > 3 years
4.4.2
Free publication of scientific articles or reviews on e-Newsletters.
5. Industry articles featured in newsletter
The APFCB newsletter (2 issues per year) provides a platform for Corporate Members tocontribute articles that are of educational or scientific relevance.
Recent issues have included the articles listed below:• 2022 Issue 1- How coagulation diagnostics support COVID- 19 vaccination and patientmanagement - Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific- CSF biomarkers and their role in Alzheimer’s disease - Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific- Detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients with occult hepatitis
B using a sensitive HBsAg assay - Abbott Laboratories, Singapore- Analytical Performance evaluation of the New VITROS TSH3 assay on VITROS XT7600 Integrated System - Toprani Advanced Lab Systems- Open vs. closed molecular testing platforms: choosing the right system for yourclinical lab - Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific- Total Lab Automation Integrated with Fleet of New Generation Atellica Solution:
Driving Better outcomes - Dr Lal PathLabs.
• 2022 Issue 2- A report on Molecular Diagnostics QC webinar: Webinar on Molecular Diagnostics
and Quality Control - Thermo Fisher
6. Ethical and Compliance Guidelines - APACMed Code of Ethical Conduct
The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) represents manufacturers andsuppliers of medical equipment, devices and in-vitro diagnostics, industry associations andother key stakeholders associated with the medical technology industry in Asia Pacific. Many
APFCB Corporate Members (including Abbott, Beckman Coulter, BD, Roche, Siemens, Sysmex,
Thermo Fisher) are also part of APACMed.
The APACMed Code of Ethical Conduct seeks to provide a standardized guideline for how
Corporate Members should interact with healthcare practitioners and professional societies

190

across Asia Pacific. This Code was first effective on 1 January 2016. The latest amendment
took effect on 1 July 2020. The full document can be found on the APACMed website at thefollowing link: https://apacmed.org/apacmed-code-of-ethical-conduct/
APFCB Corporate Members are encouraged to be familiar the Code and operate in compliancewith the guidance therein.
7. COVID-19 and the role of diagnostics
APACMed has developed a white paper summarising the role of diagnostics in the managementof COVID-19. The full report can be accessed at the link below:
https://apacmed.org/content/uploads/2021/07/APACMed-The-Critical-Role-of-Diagnostics-inCOVID-19-Management.pdf
This report highlights some key recommendations that the industry can follow in supporting thefight against the pandemic. These include:
7.1
Community surveillance & hotspot management
7.2
Economic resilience & recovery
7.3
Travel resumption
7.4
Supporting vaccine roll-out

Reported by Endang Hoyaranda (President)
based on reports by Committee Chairs Sam Vasikaran, Tony Badrick, Raja Elina,
Praveen Sharma and Corporate Representative Douglas Chung.

191

COLABIOCLI
Latin-American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry

National meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Formation of the New Executive Committeeof the Latin American Confederationof Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI)

April 29, 2022

Structure of the New Executive
Committee

Review and Adjustment of the COLABIOCLI June 7 and 9, 2022
Strategic Plan to 2024

Approval of the Strategic Plan

Meeting Preparation Scheduleof Activities Management 2022

April 29, 2022

Approval of the Scheduleof Activities 2022

Meetings of the COLABIOCLI Executive
Committee. The first Tuesday of eachmonth

10 Committee meetings
during 2022

Developed according to
the agenda determined by
the COLABIOCLI Executive
Committee and the needsof the entity

Meetings of Presidents of National Entities.
Two meetings scheduled for management

Since may 20 tooctober 5, 2022

Reports of Activities of National
Entities, Coordination of
Activities with COLABIOCLI

Meetings with the Heads of the Working
Group Meetings Organizing Committee
Latin American Congress of Clinical
Biochemistry – Colombia “Cartagena
de Indias 2024”.

August 26, 2022

Coordination andimplementation of Academic
Activities

Census of Laboratories in countriesof the Region

May to September, 2022

Report of laboratories of thecountries of the region and theircondition of authorization and/or accreditation - submitted
to OPS

Preparation of Regulations: of Working
GroupsAugust 26, 2022

Approval and dissemination
for compliance

EDUCATION
MODULAR COURSES.
• Strategic Planning in Laboratories and Leadership of Young Professionals• Quality Management and Good Laboratory Practices to Strengthen Genomic
Surveillance of COVID-19 in Molecular Biology Laboratories.
• Production of Blood Components in Transfusion Medicine• International Course of Medical Mycology. 10 modules, conducted in Portuguese andSpanish• The Path to Continuous Improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) in theClinical Laboratory• Molecular Biology Applied to Laboratory Diagnosis.
WEBINARS BY MEMBER COUNTRIES.
• D-dimers and their different clinical applications• Practical aspects of the Preanalytical Phase in the Cytochemical study of Puncture Fluid• The dangerous path of wanting to control the biology of the fields with chemical
cocktails• The Laboratory for Monitoring the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide• Expansion of Molecular Biology in the Laboratory• Importance of the preanalytical phase in different areas of the clinical laboratory192

• Artificial intelligence, a tool to enhance activities in the clinical laboratory• Laboratory Challenges for the Lupus Anticoagulant Test
• Identification of Microorganisms using MALDI-TOF mass spectrophotometry for timely
delivery of results• Functional extracts of Ecuadorian plant seeds: antioxidant and antitumor properties andapplication in the treatment of colon cancer.
• Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of honey from Native Stingless Bees (Meliponini
Tribe) in Biofilms.
WEBINARS BY WORKING GROUPS• Programs and Opportunities with the IFCC Youth Group (IFCC TF-YS)• Emergency Laboratory Update "A Panorama through our experiences• Analytical performance of enzyme creatinine• Improvement actions to ensure quality in Clinical Laboratories• Relevant Update in Microbiology to obtain quality results with patient-focusedinterpretation• Biochemical professional profile-new challenges• Aspects to take into account in the accreditation process of a laboratory• Challenges and opportunities for young scientists in the clinical laboratory: a journey
through our experiences• Process control in blood Banks• Bioethics in Research, Teaching and Assistance Task
• Identification of Critical Points during Blood Extraction
CONVERSATORY COLABIOCLI CNB OF COLOMBIA• Monkeypox• Vaccines, they managed to solve the problem of Sars cov-2; what can we expect• Young professionals in the Latin American context• Surveillance of emerging infectious diseases• Current situation of laboratory diagnosis; experiences achieved two years after the
Covid 19 pandemic• Evolution of external quality assessment programs in Latin America
GENERAL AWARENESS VIDEOS• Latin American Contest of Videos related to the Clinical Laboratory "Role of the ClinicalLaboratory Professional• Translation of Videos of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Analysis "Revaluing Laboratory
Tests"POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK
• 2nd Latin American Week of Quality in HealthRegional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution
for the meeting

Ordinary Assembly of COLABIOCLI during
the “XXV Latin American Congress ofClinical Biochemistry.

León – México
March 30 to april 02, 2022

Election of the new Executive
Committee COLABIOCLI.

IFCC General Conference.

Bruselas-Belgica
October 26 to 30, 2022

Colabiocli Report Presentation

193

Regional meetings
Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution
for the meeting

Seminars for Academic Training Unitsof Biochemists and equivalent titles in Latin
America and the Caribbean

Cordoba – Argentina
November, 25 to 26, 2022

Conformation of the Latin
American Network of Training
Entities of Biochemical
Professionals and equivalent
titles

1st Latin American Conference of Young
Clinical Laboratory Professionals

Cochabamba -Bolivia
December 9 to 10, 2022

Elaboration Schedule Activities
2023

Meetings Organizing Committee Latin
August 24 to september 30,
American Congress of Clinical Biochemistry 2022
- Colombia "Cartagena de Indias 2024".
Two scheduled meetings

Established Congress
guidelines: themes, dates, place

Latin American Contest of Videos related to
the Clinical Laboratory "Role of the ClinicalLaboratory Professional

3 prizes awarded:- first prize: Uruguay- Second prize: Mexico- Third prize: Bolivia

April, 2022

REGIONAL RELATIONSPARTICIPATIONS CONFERENCES NATIONAL ENTITIES MEMBERS COLABIOCLI• 47th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Analysis (SBAC)• 20th Chilean Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Sciences• 15th Congress of Laboratorians of Panama• 11 Argentine Congress of Quality in the Clinical Laboratory (CALILAB2022)• 20th International Congress of the College of Bacteriologists of Colombia• 15th Congress of Bioanalysts of the Dominican Republic

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSPARTICIPATIONS CONFERENCES NATIONAL ENTITIES MEMBERS COLABIOCLI• XXV Latin American Congress of Clinical Biochemistry, held in the city of León
Guanajuato-Mexico.
• General Conference International Federation of Clinical Chemistry IFCCQUALITY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES• Call for countries to participate in the free pilot program of External Quality Assessmentfor Laboratories, sponsored by the National Quality Control Program (PNCQ) of theBrazilian Society of Clinical Analysis (SBAC).
• Implementation of the pilot projects on Strategic Planning in the member countriesof COLABIOCLI that voluntarily want to develop

194

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONINTERNATIONAL EVENTS ORGANIZED BY COLABIOCLI• V Forum of Academic Training Units for Biochemical Professionals and Equivalent
Degrees in Latin America and the Caribbean”• 1st Latin American Conference of Young Clinical Laboratory Professionals• XXV Latin American Congress of Clinical Biochemistry, held in the city of León
Guanajuato-MexicoÁlvaro Justiniano Grosz, President
Ana Lena Vera, Regional Representative

EFLM
European Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
In 2022, the newly established Task Force “Green and sustainable laboratories” (TF-GSL) chairedby EFLM President Tomris Ozben, prepared the EFLM Guidelines, checklists, Powerpoints
and video recordings on main topics: Energy, Waste, Water, and Chemicals for Green andSustainable Laboratories implementing sustainable practices in medical laboratories. A logo
was prepared, and ISBN code was received for the guidelines. They were distributed torepresentatives of 49 National Societies together with short presentations, in order to preparethem for their role of National TF-GSL Expert who are supposed to work with the TF core
members and their national societies in switching the medical laboratories within their countries
to green and sustainable laboratories. The European Commission (EC) entitled “European Green
Deal (EGD) was informed about the establishment of the EFLM Task Force-Green Labs. A close
collaboration was developed with MedTech Europe and their Senior Manager on “Environment& Sustainability” was appointed to the EFLM TF-Green Labs as a TF member. A session wasdedicated at the EFLM Strategic Conference on this topic. Meetings with the EFLM National
Societies (Presidents, National Representatives, members) will be organized and a Workshop forthe whole EFLM Community will be organized in 2023. A call to receive “Green and Sustainable
Lab Certificate” applications from Laboratories will be launched in March 2023.
EFLM Academy continued to grow, reaching the number of almost 6000 members. All thebenefits for Academy members were continued, which are now easier to navigate after the
introduction of the improved e-learning platform. The platform enables access to live andon-demand webinars, as well as to the recorded events and the Syllabus Course for EFLM
Academy members.
In January 2022, the EFLM Syllabus Course was launched. This unique educational resource
was prepared by the EFLM Task Group Syllabus Course, chaired by Ana-Maria Šimundić. With
its 43 modules, the Syllabus Course covers the entire curriculum of Laboratory Medicine. The
contents are constantly added. Therefore, by the end of the year the module Virology that wasin preparation when the Course was launched, was completed.
During the pandemic, the benefits offered by the EFLM Scholarship program in memory ofProf. Vic Blaton related to bursaries for meetings and conferences organized by EFLM weresuspended for obvious reasons. In 2022, all of them were realized. Also, the EFLMLabX

195

professional exchanging program has been reactivated in 2022 and opened for applications.
3rd EFLM Strategic Conference “Smart and Green Laboratories – How to implement IVDR,
emerging technologies and sustainable practices” was held 25-27th May 2022 as a virtual
conference, with free access to all the EFLM Academy members. The Conference was
successful, with more than 2000 registered participants, and represented a starting point fordeveloping the EFLM Strategic Plan and Actions 2022/23.
In 2022 EFLM WG Laboratory Medicine Credit Points compiled the manual for EFLM Accreditationof Educational Programs. The trademark of CPECS® - Continuing Professional Education Credit
System was registered and the first meeting to apply the system will be EuroMedLab/WorldLab
Rome 2023.
Also in 2022, EFLM reactivated the program “Invite an Executive Board Member at Your National
Society Congress”. The program was originally intended to support in this way five national
congresses per year. However, due to the imposed two-year suspension caused by the global
pandemic, in 2022 all 13 received applications were approved.
Due to the lack of time caused by her new professional engagements, Ana-Maria Šimundić
resigned to the position of EFLM representative in the IFCC EB EFLM President Tomris Ozben
replaced her for the period 2022-23, after the extraordinary elections and endorsement by fullmember NSs. Also in 2022 the IFCC launched the regular call for the term in office in 2024-2026.
EFLM EB proposed the current president-elect, Mario Plebani. His candidacy was supportedby all NSs, and after the regular elections, he was elected as the EFLM representative in the
IFCC EB for 2024-2026.
EFLM EB had a joint meeting with the EB of the Arab Federation of Clinical Biochemistry (AFCB)
in Crete, held at the outskirts of the 3rd joint EFLM-AFCB Conference “Laboratory Medicine for
Mobile Societies -LM4MS”. The cooperation beyond joint organization of LM4MS conferenceson activities of mutual interest was agreed upon. This resulted with signing the new Guidelines
for organization of LM4MS conferences2.
At the last EB meeting in 2022 the new EFLM Strategic Plan 2022–2023 was drafted anddiscussed. Strategic objectives and actions are regarding structure and organization; relation
with other organizations; profession, education and training, communication; and scientificaffairs. The draft of the Strategic and Action plan 2022-23 was shared with Functional units’
chairs and Presidents and National Representatives of EFLM National Society Members fortheir comments and suggestions, before finalization and realization.
COMMITTEES
Committee – Communication (C-C)
C-C has one working group (WG Promotion & Publications) and two task groups (TG European
Laboratory Day and TG Young Scientists). During the year 2022 we realized following priorities:• After a new series of business offers for websites under EFLM administration redesign
and user experience improvement, winning company was selected, and changes will be
realized during 2023.
• The new TG Young Scientists was established and Miron Sopic was elected as thechair + 6 core members and > 20 associated members joined the TG. TG YS members
met during EuroMedLab in Munich and started collaboration on CC activities (Newsletter,
Social Media, European Laboratory Day) and initiated in cooperation with IFCC Young
Scientists a survey about digital competence education in laboratory medicine.
• We produced 6 issues of EFLM Newsletter where we continued with the traditional
sections and newly established (cooperation with EFLM EB) the section “Interviews withpast EFLM presidents and senior EFLM officers”.

196• TG European Laboratory Day marked for the first time the European Laboratory day on
November 5th. The purpose of the activities was to make laboratory medicine more visible
and recognizable, to meet patients, and to inform the public about the profession andthe valuable contribution of the specialist in laboratory medicine to patient care. Different
activities were organized in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Italy, Poland,
Portugal, Serbia, and Turkey. Colleagues prepared activities for children, laboratory tours,
student lectures, healthcare workers workshops, and open-day activities. After the held
activities, a survey about the LabDay event was sent to colleagues to share their activities.
All content was collected and published in the December 2022 issue of EuroLabNews.
• We continued with the regular presence of EFLM in social media (Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and Instagram) propagating key information from EFLM life.
• We prepared propagation materials for EuroMedLab in Munich EFLM booth (posters,interviews with interesting personalities that were published in social media)
Committee – Education and Training (C-ET)
In 2022 C-ET members were involved in EFLM bursaries evaluation for the online conference
on pre-analytics. In addition, chairs of C-ET and Science committee evaluated research grantsthat were previously established by Executive Board. Two applications were granted, one for an
applicant coming from a country enjoying “Vic Blaton” scholarship programme and the otherfor an applicant coming from any other country in Europe.
Working group on congresses and postgraduate education (WG-CPE). WG-CPE and C-ET
chair were involved in organization of one online postgraduate courses: How to write a goodscientific paper (on-line, 26 October - 15 November 2022). WG-CPE granted 3 on-line and
21 face-to face auspices for different educational events in 2022. WG was also involved inorganization of the new EFLM course “Lessons in Immunochemistry”, and realized 4 online
lessons which will be organized in a form of webinars (Hypertension, Vitamin D-status, Hearth
Failure and Androgen excess of deficiency). Additionally, WG-CPE was involved in organizationof the new course “Meet the expert”, which should also be realized as online course.
Working group on Laboratory medicine Credit Points (WG-LMCP). To institute an EFLM credit
system, the WG-LMCP were working on the development of a "Provider Application and
Manual for EFLM Accreditation of Educational Programs" in conjunction with an administrative
system called the Continuing Professional Education Credit System (CPECS). Besides English
version, WG members from Spain translated Provider Application to Spanish. EFLM officeapplied and received CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION for CPECS at the EUROPEAN UNIONINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE. For the first time EFLM accreditation system will be(CPECS accreditation) will be performed at the next 25th IFCC-EFLM European Congress ofClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Rome.
Working group on Distance Education (WG-DE). In cooperation with PCO (professional congressorganizers), WG members were involved in planning and organization of 17 webinars in 2022.
They already prepared a list of 18 new webinars for 2023
Committee – Profession (C-P)
The C-P activity in 2022 focused mainly in five objectives:
1. Progress with achieving recognition of Specialists in Laboratory Medicine
2. Growing the EFLM Register (EuSpLM)
3. Growing the EFLM Academy
4. EFLMLabX
5. TG: EFLM Syllabus Courses

197

According to the demand of Directive 2013/55/EC (Recognition of Professional Qualifications),
we are prepared to present the Common Training Framework for specialists in Laboratory
Medicine (CTF) document (published in CCLM in 2021), as a joint statement of the EU-based
national societies, to the EU Commission. Aim to continue the process of achieving EuSpLM
recognition. We have already established communication with the EU Commission officer
responsible for this Directive and professional regulation to define the meeting date in 2023 andto present our progress and the actual situation.
In support of this process, the launch of the EFLM Academy in December 2019, which is open
to anyone (not just EFLM members) interested in laboratory medicine, proved to be a success.
EFLM Academy offers a lot of benefits to its members. Therefore, the number of Academy and
EuSpLM register members is constantly growing, especially through block-enrolled NS. At the
beginning of 2022, there were added a lot of new essential benefits, including free access toadditionally six important Journal (Clinical Chemistry Journal, Journal of Applied Laboratory
Medicine, Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences Journal, Clinical Biochemistry
Journal and Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation), free access to CLSI
documents (for block enrolled members). As a result of an important project of TG: EFLM
Syllabus Courses, in 2022 is free to access to more than 350 lectures on all Syllabus topics, freeaccess to EFLM webinars and much more. There are a few differences in the additional benefitsof membership of the EFLM compared to non-EFLM Academy membership: enrollment in the
EFLM EuSpLM register, which will only be possible by applying to the EFLM Academy andeligibility for EFLM grant applicants. All information about Academy and its benefits is available
on the EFLM website https://www.eflm.eu/site/page/a/1558. As a result of these efforts, thenumber of registrants for the Academy increased steadily until the end of 2022 (+30% incomparison with the year 2021). The total number of members of the Academy is 6623 (withand without EuSpLM): through NS block enrollment (maximum share of registrants) (Total: 5801
(88%)) members, without EuSpLM certificate: 2784 (42%) members from total 6623; individual
registration (Total: 822 (12%)), without EuSpLM registration: 694 out of 822). The total numberof members of the Academy without EuSpLM, joined by both channels, is 3711.
The WG-Register confirmed 2912 applications for EuSpLM Register in 2022, mainly achievedby block entry 2784 (96%) and 128 (4%) from individual applications.
By the end of 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Academy/EuspLM registergroup enrollment had been signed with 35/48 EFLM national societies (12 new in 2022: Estonia,
France, Germany, Grece, Kosovo, Netherlands, Romania, Romania Affiliate, Slovak Republic,
Turkey (TBS, KBUD) and UK, 3 in a way to sign: CSCB, MACCLM, LABAC-France.
In 2022 EFLM Academy Software renovation for easier management of the application has
been applied on the EFLM website:
1. The new platform for the EFLM Academy renewal in 2023 was launched in October
2022 and presented to all NS. It enables preparing and managing databases of all
members in the Academy and EuSpLM Register by block enrollment and individual
registration.
2. Standardised EuSpLM application form and new corresponding NS certificate(EoS proforma) for the individual registration process have been updated on the website.
After the Corona pandemic crisis, the EFLMLabX practice exchange project is already restarted
with a lot of new applications for the practices. With the rising interest in the project, it has shown
the need for its growth, and at the end of 2022, a new TG-EFLMLabX was established to supportand develop the project activities. One of the most critical tasks is to attract more institutions/laboratories as the offerers of new practices. In 2022 three practices were realised (in Spain,
Germany and Belgium). The project achieved significant support through the introduction of an
EFLM Bursaries programme. We got three applications, and all of them have been confirmed.
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In 2022, the TG: EFLM Syllabus Courses continued the project of Syllabus Courses, which
EFLM launched in January 2022 in cooperation with several professionals from all over Europe
as coordinators of 43 modules. With esteemed lecturers from different fields of LM and many
European countries and beyond, we have prepared and recorded more than 300 lectures on
all topics of the Syllabus. Courses are available on the EFLM Academy website as a part of the
new e-learning platform for Academy members only. By the end of 2022 Virology module has
been completed and several modules where individual lectures were missing were updated orcompleted.
C-P, together with Gilbert Wieringa, has prepared an update of the European Register ofSpecialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: Code of Conduct, Version 3-2022. A
new version was already confirmed by EFLM NSs and is proceeding to CCLM for publication.
For better visibility of the C-P projects, the Chair of C-P, E. Homsak, presented the importanceand progress of achieving recognition of Specialists in Laboratory Medicine and the educational
EFLM tools (EFLMLabX and Syllabus Courses) at the NS meetings (in Slovenian Congress,
Portugal Congress), Crete/Greece International Conference of Mediterranean countries, inBelgrade at the Serbian Congress/Balcan Symposium, through the recorded interview (topresent EFLMLabX) at the EuroMedLab in Munich, which is available and advertising on social
media (YouTube, LinkedIn).
C-P updated the site accordingly with any changes.
Committee – Quality and Regulations (C-QR)
The Working Group Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards published an article on an Approachfor determining allowable between reagent lot variation. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine (CCLM), vol. 60, no. 5, 2022, pp. 681-688. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0083.
In the vein of this topic, we also worked on Analytical performance specifications for imprecisionand bias based on clinical use.
These topics relate to the implementation of laboratory practices in the context of the riskmanagement system called for by the ISO 15189 standard. Meanwhile the 2022 version of thatstandard was published end 2022. It makes risk management a universal tool, and focuses onrisks for patient care. This philosophy is fully congruent with that of the new EU IVD Regulation.
We plan in the year to come to develop commentaries on the transition from the 2012 to the2022 version of the ISO 15189, and on the pivotal role of the risk management system, bothwith respect to this transition and to the implementation of IVDR requirements for in-houselaboratory developed tests.
The Committee Chair is active in ISO-TC212 WG1, and in the EA Health Care Working Group tocontribute to harmonization of accreditation according to ISO15189 in the European countries.
The WG is focused on influencing the development and interpretation of ISO and CEN standards
and in particular the implementation of the new EU IVD Regulation to the benefit of patient care.
The Committee Chair is also active in the EFLM Task Force: European Regulatory Affairs (TFERA). This Task Force follows up on the implementation phase of the new EU IVD regulation.
Together with that task-force we prepared an opinion on EU-IVDR compliance under an ISO15189 quality system (to be published shortly).
Committee – Science (C-S)
After the maximum three and succesful terms of office as C-S Chair, Eric Kilpatrick was stepping
down as of 2022, with Michel Langlois succeeding him for a first term and coordinating theactivities of eight Working Groups (WGs), two Task Groups (TGs), and three Task and Finish
Groups (TFGs). In addition, two new functional units have been established under this Committee199

in 2022: the WG-Artificial Intelligence chaired by Andrea Padoan and the TG-CKD chaired by
Etienne Cavalier, coinciding with publication of the EFLM Position paper on race-free CKD-EPI
equation.
The impressive scientific outcome of C-S activities in 2022 includes 17 papers published or
accepted, 18 papers submitted, 7 surveys conducted, and 33 lectures and webinars. The EFLM
Pre-analytical Conference was organized in March 2022 and several contributions were madeto EuroMedLab Munich and EFLM Strategic Conference 2022 sessions.
The WG-Biological Variation extended the number of new measurands and biological variation
data sets published by Aasne Aarsand and colleagues. The TG-Biological Variation Database
under this WG further developed the EFLM Biological Variation Database – our Society’s famous
landmark! – including publishing the new website. The TFG-Practical Approach to Measurement
Uncertainty under the same WG published papers related to measurement uncertainty (MU)
calculations and analytical performance specifications (APS), including a paper on a practical
approach to calculate MU developed by this TFG.
Cooperations with other Societies and clinical specialists' groups were expanded, broadening
the horizon of EFLM. The WG-Cardiac Markers started collaboration with the European Societyof Cardiology (ESC), and a joint international survey of EFLM, IFCC, the Association for Acute
CardioVascular Care (ACVC) and the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM) on
cardiac marker use for myocardial injury diagnosis was performed under leadership of Päivi
Laitinen. A multisociety guideline of EFLM, EASI (European Autoimmunity Standardization
Initiative) and ICAP (International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns) was developedby Xavier Bossuyt and members of the WG-Autoimmunity Testing, making recommendations
for detection of antinuclear antibodies. This guideline underwent public consultation and voting
by the EFLM National Societies in 2022 and is approved for publication. The 2000 European
Urinalysis Guideline is updated by Timo Kouri and the multidisciplinary TFG-Urinalysis
including bacteriologists and experts in urine chemistry and automated particle counts. This
comprehensive document is submitted for public consultation by ESCMID (European Societyof Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases), and the EFLM National Societies.
Synergistic collaborations between WGs and T(F)Gs within the C-S and with other Committeesof EFLM were also strenghtened. The WG-Preanalytical Phase and WG-Postanalytical Phaseset the example by establishing joint collaborative projects to improve laboratory test request
and clinical utilization of tests. In addition, the WG-Postanalytical Phase finalized projects onlaboratory report formatting and reflex/reflective testing. A first version of an online-tool forlaboratories to input and evaluate their analyte stability data has been created by the WGPreanalytical Phase, under leadership of Janne Cadamuro.The WG-Patient Focused Laboratory
Medicine, guided by Snezana Jovicic, is further conducting evaluations of the effects of reportinginterpretative comments to patients' laboratory results, the availability and validation of overthe-counter POC tests in different countries, smartphone applications, and other projects
aiming to develop lay-person friendly Lab Medicine communication to patients.
The WG-Test Evaluation reached out at EuroMedLab Munich on key elements of test evaluation
and IVDR, and is working to embed IVDR test requirements in an update of the Test Evaluation
Framework paper. Guided by Christa Cobbaert, this WG develops guidance on “equivalence oftests” for both CE-IVDs and in-house tests. Input was given to the European Commission via
Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) observership in the IVD working group, contributing
to MDCG guidance on LDTs. The TG-Performance Specifications Based on Outcome Studies,
guided by Rita Horvath under WG-Test Evaluation, continued working on a multifaceted
approach when setting APS, and focuses on the methodology for deriving outcome-based
APS. The generous gesture of Rita Horvath to donate her EFLM Award 2019 for “ScientificAchievements in Laboratory Medicine” money to this TG deserves to be mentioned.

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In 2022 there was a changing of the guard in two WGs and one TFG with a new Chair: WGHarmonization with Martina Zaninotto (succeeding Ian Young), WG-Postanalytical Phase with
Pieter Vermeersch (succeeding Ann-Helen Kristoffersen), and TFG-Hemolysis, Icterus and
Lipemia (HIL) Interference with Rachel Marrington (succeeding Ana-Maria Simundic).
2021-2022 was the last term of office of two esteemed WG Chairs who have been working
very hard and succesful in C-S for many years. As of 2023, Philip Monaghan will succeed
Christa Cobbaert ending her 3rd term as Chair of WG-Test Evaluation. Sverre Sandberg will
succeed Aasne Aarsand ending her 3rd term as Chair of WG-Biological Variation, and Aasne
will take over Sverre's chairmanship of the TG-Biological Variation Database under this WG.
The TFG-Practical Approach to Measurement Uncertainty, after two years of fruitful activity
under the same WG, will be continued as a TG with new plans under leadership of the same
Chair, Abdurrahman Coskun, to further explore use of MU of the analytes as a powerful tool inharmonization of different instruments and laboratories and to determine the MU-based APS.
In the post-pandemic months of 2022, it is obvious that C-S has quickly regained productivity
beyond pre-pandemic levels and groups are now working at high pace. A positive
consequence of the pandemic is that WGs and T(F)Gs are actually meeting more often now
that videoconferencing has become the default means of gathering – reducing the costs andclimate impact of meetings.
MEETINGS
These are the EFLM live events that took place in 2022:• EuroMedLab 2021 - Munich (DE), 10-14 April 2022
24th IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine• 2nd AFCB-EFLM Conference "Laboratory Medicine for Mobile Societies" jointly
organized with the BCLF and GSCC-CB Annual Congresses - Crete (GR),2-5 October 2022
Biennial Conference of EFLM in collaboration with the Arab Federation of Clinical
Biochemistry• EFLM Postgraduate Course - Skopje (MK), 17-18 November 2022
Biostatistics in Laboratory Medicine
Three very successful EFLM courses and conferences have been also held on-line:• Biannual Conference organized by the EFLM Working Group on "Preanalyical Phase“,
15-18 March 2022
6th EFLM Conference on Preanalytical Phase "“Preanalytical Quality: aninterdisciplinary journey”• 3rd EFLM Strategic Conference, 25-27 May 2022
SMART and GREEN LABORATORIES - How to implement IVDR, emerging
technologies and sustainable practices in medical laboratories?
• 3rd EFLM Postgraduate Course, 26 October - 15 November 2022
How to write and publish a good scientific & professional article
WEBINARSEFLM has organized several Webinars during 2022, thanks to the new EFLM e-learning platform:• 25/01/2022 - Isolation, characterization and cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem
cells from cord blood units• 08/02/2022 - Patient-focused laboratory medicine - how can we communicate directlywith patients?

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• 22/02/2022 - Biological variation of CBC parameters as a pointer towards individualreference intervals• 24/02/2022 - EFLM Lessons in Immunochemistry - 1• 29/03/2022 - Liquid biopsy• 12/04/2022 - Evidence-based laboratory medicine• 26/04/2022 - Laboratory diagnostic of thyroid diseases• 10/05/2022 - Regulation of In Vitro Diagnostics in the EU: Lessons for diagnostic
professionals• 24/05/2022 - Laboratory diagnostic of prostate cancer• 30/05/2022 - EFLM Lessons in Immunochemistry – 2 Vitamin D status: the role ofLaboratory• 21/06/2022 - Molecular Immunology: new tricks of the innate immune system• 28/06/2022 - From IVD Directive to IVD Regulation: the changing landscape of Test
Evaluation and Regulatory Requirements• 15/07/2022 - Cardiac Markers• 13/09/2022 - EFLM Lessons in Immunochemistry - 3• 27/09/2022 - Basic Semen Examination – WHO recommendations and new European
ISO standard• 11/10/2022 - Challenges in POC testing• 25/10/2022 - The EFLM Update of the European Urinalysis Guidelines• 08/11/2022 - Monitoring the performance of a measurement system for its intended
clinical use• 22/11/2022 - Atherogenic lipoproteins: which, when, and how to quantify• 24/11/2022 - EFLM Lessons in Immunochemistry• 13/12/2022 - Artificial Intelligence in laboratory medicine
PUBLICATIONS
Biological variation of serum iron from the European biological variation study (EuBIVAS)
Carobene A, Aarsand AK, Coşkun K, Díaz-Garzón J, Locatelli M, Fernandez-Calle P, Sandberg
S and Ceriotti F
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-1091
The new, race-free, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Consortium (CKD-EPI) equation
to estimate glomerular filtration rate: is it applicable in Europe? A position statement by theEuropean Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
Delanaye P, Schaeffner E, Cozzolino M, Langlois M, Plebani M, Ozben T, Cavalier E, on behalfof the Board members of the EFLM Task Group Chronic Kidney Diseases
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0928
Efficiency, efficacy and subjective user satisfaction of alternative laboratory report formats.
An investigation on behalf of the Working Group for Postanalytical Phase (WG-POST), of theEuropean Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Cadamuro J, Winzer J, Perkhofer L, von Meyer A, Bauça J. M , Plekhanova O, Linko-Parvinen
A, Watine J, Kniewallner K. M, Keppel M. H, Šálek T, Mrazek C, Felder T. K, Oberkofler H,
Haschke-Becher E, Vermeersch P, Kristoffersen A. E. and Eisl C, on behalf of the EFLM Working
Group for Postanalytical Phase (WG-POST)
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0269
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Acidification of 24-hour urine in urolithiasis risk testing: An obsolete relic?
Cadamuro J, Decho C, Frans G, Auer S, von Meyer A, Kniewallner K. M, Heinrich E, Keppel M.
H, Mrazek C, Felder T. K, Oberkofler H, Haschke-Becher E, Kipman U, Salek T, Vermeersch P,
on behalf of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)
Working Group “Preanalytical Phase” (WG-PRE)
Clinica Chimica Acta 2022;532:1-9
Measurement uncertainty for practical use
Coskun A, Theodorsson E, Oosterhuis W, Sandberg S, on behalf of the European Federationof Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Task and Finish Group on Practical Approach to
Measurement Uncertainty
Clinica Chimica Acta 2022;531:352–60
Preanalytical quality improvement – an interdisciplinary journey
Cadamuro J, Baird G, Baumann G, Bolenius K, Cornes M, Ibarz M, Lewis T, Lima Oliveira G,
Lippi G, Plebani M, Simundic AM, von Meyer A, on behalf of the European Federation for Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE)
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0117
An approach for determining allowable between reagent lot variation
van Schrojenstein Lantman M, Can Çubukçu H, Boursier G, Panteghini M, Bernabeu-Andreu
FA, Milinkovic N, Mesko Brguljan P, Linko S, Brugnoni D, O'Kelly R, Kroupis C, LohmanderM, Šprongl L, Vanstapel F, Thelen M, European Federation of Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory
Medicine EFLM Working Group Accreditation, ISO/CEN standards WG-A/ISO
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0083
The value proposition of integrative diagnostics for (early) detection of cancer. On behalf of the
EFLM interdisciplinary Task and Finish Group "CNAPS/CTC for early detection of cancer"
Froelich MF, Capoluongo E, Kovacs Z, Patton SJ, Lianidou ES, Haselmann V
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2022-0129
Critical review and meta-analysis of biological variation estimates for tumor markers
Marques-Garcia F, Boned B, González-Lao E, Braga F, Carobene A, Coskun A, Díaz-Garzón
J, Fernández-Calle J, Carmen Perich M, Simon M, Jonker N, Aslan B, Bartlett WA, Sandberg
S, Aarsand AK, on behalf of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine Working Group on Biological Variation and Task Group for the Biological Variation
Database
Clin Chem Lab Med 2022 doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2021-0725
Snežana Jovičić, EFLM Executive Board Secretary203

NAFCC
North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine
The NAFCC represents two North American organizations on the IFCC Executive Board (IFCCEB), the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and the Canadian Society ofClinical Chemists (CSCC). In 2023 the AACC will be changing its name to the Association for
Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM).
Dr. Stephen Hill was elected as NAFCC representative and was to serve until December 2023.
Unfortunately, Dr Hill is unable to finish his term. Dr Edward (Ted) Dunn, current Past-Presidentof the CSCC has been confirmed as NAFCC representative until the end of 2023. Former AACC
President Dr. David Grenache, has been appointed to the IFCC-EB starting January 2024 for athree-year term.
The CSCC held its annual conference in Niagara Falls ON from June 5-8, 2022 and the AACC
held its Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago IL from July 24-28, 2022
The AACC will be holding its Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo from July 23-27,
2023, in Anaheim California. The CSCC is holding a joint scientific meeting with the CanadianCollege of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) from June 18-21, 2023, in Winnipeg Manitoba.

Edward Dunn, NAFCC Representative

204

205

Full Member Societies
ARGENTINACONFEDERACIÓN UNIFICADA BIOQUÍMICA DE LAREPÚBLICA ARGENTINA (CUBRA)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Previous activity before the national meeting

May 26, 2022 – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Meeting of the National entities of C.U.B.R.A

May 27, 2022 – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Live Webinars organized by Cubra´s Permanent Scientific Committee

June 2022

EDUCATION• Member of the Executive Committee of the Commission of National Biochemical
Certification (COCERBIN).
• Member of the “Advisory Commission for the Evaluation and Updating of the Unique
Biochemical Nomenclature”, within the Superintendence of Health Services.
REGIONAL RELATIONS
Colegio Bioquímico de Catamarca
Colegio Bioquímico del Chaco
Colegio Bioquímico de La Pampa
Colegio Bioquímico de La Rioja
Colegio Bioquímico de San Juan
Colegio Bioquímico de Santiago del EsteroColegio Bioquímico de TucumánColegio de Bioquímicos de la Provincia de Río Negro
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Corrientes
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Neuquén
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Entre Ríos
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Formosa
Colegio de Bioquímicos de Jujuy
Sección 1ª de Bioquímica del Colegio Oficial de Farm. y Bioq. de Capital Federal
Colegio de Farm. y Bioquímicos de la Provincia de Santa Cruz
Bioquímicos del Interior A.C. Salta
Círculo Bioquímico de la Provincia de Misiones
Asociación Bioquímica de Salta
Asociación Bioquímica de Mendoza
Asociación Bioquímica del Este
Asociación Bioquímica de San Luis
Asociación Bioquímica de Villa Mercedes
Asociación Bioquímica de San RafaelFederación de Bioquímicos de la Provincia de Córdoba
Federación Bioquímica de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Federación Bioquímica de la Provincia de Chubut
Federación Bioquímica de la Provincia de Santa Fe
206

ABA - Asociación Bioquímica Argentina
FBA - Fundación Bioquímica Argentina
COORDINADORA de Colegios de Bioquímicos de Ley de la República Argentina
CGP - Confederación General de Profesionales
IRAM - Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación
ECUAFyB - Ente Coordinador de Unidades Académicas de Farmacia y BioquímicaUCOPS - Unión de Confederaciones de Profesionales de la Salud
Agrupación Bioquímica de Cuyo
FEBIPA - Federación Bioquímica Patagónica.
FOBINEA - Foro de Bioquímicos del Noreste Argentino.
FEBINOA - Federación Bioquímica del Noroeste Argentino
Ministerio de Salud de la Nación – Superintendencia de Servicios de Salud
Ministerio de Educación de la Nación
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSIFCC International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
COLABIOCLI Confederación Latinoamericana de Bioquímica Clínica.
CLAPU Confederación Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Asociaciones de Profesionales
Universitarios.

AUSTRIA

AUSTRIAN SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINE AND
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (ÖGLMKC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

9th annual conference ofthe ÖGLMKC

July 4th to 7th, 2023

laboratory medicine

CANADACANADIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTS (CSCC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

CSCC Annual Conference 2022

June 5-8, 2022

CSCC Annual Meeting
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Upcoming meeting in 2023:
CSCC Annual Conference

June 18-21, 2023

CSCC Annual Meeting held jointlywith The Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG)
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Upcoming meeting in 2024:
CSCC Annual Conference

June 16-19, 2024

CSCC Annual Meeting held jointlywith La Société québécoise de biologie clinique (SQBC)Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec207

Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Upcoming meeting in 2025:
CSCC Annual Conference

July 27-31, 2025

CSCC Annual Meeting held jointlywith the American Association for
Clinical Chemistry (AACC)
Chicago, Illinois

EDUCATION
2022 Travelling Lectureship Series
Speaker: Dr. Sophie Gosselin, MD, CSPQ, FRCPC, FACMT, FAACT, Professor, Department ofEmergency Medicine at McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Site Chief of the emergency medicine service at Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne, Greenfield Park and Associate-Chief of the CISSSMontérégie Centre Emergency Department; Montreal, Canada
Topic: Emergency Toxicology Laboratory Service
Dr. Gosselin gave a number of lectures to different sites across Canada, both in-person andvirtually, during Fall 2022 and Winter 2023
The lectureship is sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories
CSCC Webinar Lectureship on Cardiovascular Disease
Speaker: Dr. Sridevi Devaraj, PhD, DABCC, FAACC, FRSC, CCRP, Medical Director, Clinical
Chemistry and Point of Care Technology, Texas Children’s Hospital and Pavilion for Women;
Director of Laboratories, TCH Centers for Children and Women, Professor of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Rotation Director and Fellowship Director, Clinical Chemistry
Topic: Cardiovascular Disease and Pediatric Lipid Guidelines: Role of the Clinical Laboratory
March 24, 2022
Lectureship sponsored by Abbott
CSCC Webinar Lectureship on Critical Care Medicine
Speaker: Nam K. Tran, PhD, Professor and Senior Director of Clinical Pathology, UC Davis
School of Medicine, California, USA
Topic: Laboratory Considerations for Disaster Response Testing: Lessons Learned and Preparing for the Next Crisis
April 7,2022
Lectureship sponsored by Roche
2021-22 Education Roundtable Webinar Series
16 CSCC “Education Roundtable” in webinar format were held twice a month from September
2021 to May 2022. Over 100 participants attend each session.
2022-23 Education Roundtable Webinar Series
15 CSCC “Education Roundtable” in webinar format will be held twice a month from September
2022 to May 2023. Over 100 participants attend each session.
28th AACC International CPOCT Symposium: Meeting Evolving Patient Needs Using
Point-of-Care Testing
CSCC partnered with AACC on this biennial symposium, held September 21-23, 2022 in Montreal, Canada.
This symposium is designed to meet the needs of laboratory professionals overseeing and/or carrying out point-of-care testing, clinical laboratory physicians, supervisors, managers, regulatory personnel, and other laboratory professionals interested in advances in point-of-care
testing.
208

Special Interest / Working Groups
CSCC has 11 special interest / working groups which are communities with an interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to affector to produce solutions within their particular field. The activities usually consist of communication between conferences and informal sessions within the CSCC conference. These groups
also develop position statements and guidelines, and present educational webinars.
Leadership In Quality Management Certificate Program
The purpose of this Program is to bring Clinical Biochemists, as laboratory leaders, to a level
required to provide competent leadership and oversight to the quality management systems(QMS) in their laboratory. The certificate Program is presented as an on-line course in quality
management. CSCC trainee members are offered the option to register in the program at nocharge. This event is an accredited group learning activity as defined by the CACB/CSCC Professional Development Program.
Participants have two years to complete the program.
CACB Professional Development Program
The Maintenance of Competence Committee oversees the continuing professional development(PD) program designed by the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry to encourage andsupport the lifelong learning needs of its Fellows and other healthcare professionals who are in
the practice of clinical chemistry. The program uses accreditation of continuing professional
development events, establishes an ongoing PD program for continuing education credits, andconducts audits of PD credit submissions as a means of meeting this goal.
Clinical Biochemistry Journal
CSCC is the owner of the scientific journal Clinical Biochemistry which is published by Elsevier.
There are 12 issues per year and the website is: https://journals.elsevier.com/clinical-biochemistry
Clinical Chemistry Training Programs
The Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry has accredited six Postdoctoral Training Programs in Clinical Chemistry across Canada: University of Toronto, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, University of Manitoba, University of Calgary, and University of Alberta. These
programs are directed toward acquiring professional competence as well as a small researchcomplement.

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the
meeting

Ontario Society of Clinical Chemists
2022 Annual Meeting

September 27-28, 2022
Toronto, Ontario

Hosted and planned by the Ontario
regional society of CSCC

Alberta Society of Clinical Chemists
2022 Annual Meeting

October 14-15, 2022
Jasper, Alberta

Hosted and planned by the Alberta
regional society of CSCC

209

REGIONAL RELATIONSCSCC has 8 Provincial Sections – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario,
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador. 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.
CSCC will hold its annual conference as a joint meeting with the Canadian College of Medical
Geneticists (CCMG) in 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
CSCC will hold its annual conference as a joint meeting with La Société québécoise de biologie
clinique (SQBC) in 2024 in Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSCSCC will hold its annual meeting jointly with the American Association for Clinical Chemistry(AACC) in 2025 in Chicago, USA.
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 is represented at the IFCC Executive Board
meetings. Dr. Ted Dunn of Ontario Canada is the current NAFCC representative.
Dr. Khosrow Adeli, Past-Chair of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, is the current
President of IFCC.
Dr. David Kinniburgh, Past-President of CSCC, is the current Secretary of IFCC.
Dr. Allison Venner, CSCC President, attended the IFCC General Council (October 26-30, 2022)
as the national representative for CSCC.
There are several Canadian members on IFCC committees and each of these members is
asked to provide a report to CSCC Council at least annually.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
External Representation
The CSCC:• Has diverse representation on external professional groups, including IFCC, the Canadian Standards Association, the JCTLM Working Group for Traceability, Education andPromotion, the Canadian Society of Nephrology Task Force on eGFR Reporting, and the
Diabetes Technology Society (iCode).
• Has a number of interactions with other Canadian pathology and lab medicine groups
including, ‘Choosing Wisely Canada’ (http://www.choosingwiselycanada.org/)• Supports LabCanDx (formerly MEDEC), the national association for the Canadian medical
technology industry, in their efforts to promote the value of laboratory medicine and supports participation in ToxLRN which is an initiative by Health Canada to create a networkof toxicology laboratories in Canada.
• Provides support and professional encouragement for Trainees and Young Scientists,such as travel grant funding and a special reception at the annual conference. CSCC also
provides Trainee Elective Visit Grants which support short-term elective visits to otherlabs to provide lab medicine trainees with a unique opportunity to augment their skill sets.
• Holds an annual charity run at its annual conference and proceeds are donated to a local
charity.
• Publishes a bi-monthly newsletter.

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• Has a Public Outreach Division which is actively working on promoting the profession ofclinical biochemistry in Canada.
• Has a Podcast program and in 2022 nine podcasts were produced. https://cscc.ca/en/
chemist-library/the-lab-report.html

CHILE

SOCIEDAD CHILENA DE QUÍMICA CLÍNICA (SCHQC)

NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

20 Congreso Chileno de Quimica Clinica

August 18-19, 2022

EDUCATION• Webinar COLABIOCLI Desempeño analítico de Creatinina enzimática. Édison López. 28
April 2022
• Webinar COLABIOCLI Acciones de mejora para asegurar la calidad en los laboratorios
clínicos. Natalia Serrano. 31 Mayo 2022
• Webinar COLABIOCLI Aspectos a tomar en cuenta para el proceso de acreditación deun laboratorio clínico. Leonardo Aguirre, 16 Agosto 2022
• Webinar COLABIOCLI Inteligencia Artificial: Una herramienta para potenciar actividades
en el laboratorio clínico. Daniel del Águila, 27 Septiembre 2022
• Webinar Facultad de Farmacia Universidad de Concepción. Biomarcadores emergentes
en laboratorio clínico. Cecilia Tapia, 2 Enero 2022
• FCC Live Webinar Importance of the preanalytical phase in different areas of thelaboratory. Eduardo Aranda, 7 September 2022
• Curso precongreso: Diagnostico de laboratorio en enfermedades autoinmunes.17
Agosto 2022
• Curso precongreso: Validación, verificación y evaluación de métodos cualitativos, 17
Agosto 2022
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

XXV Congreso Latinoamericaco de
Bioquimica Clinica León Mexico

30 Marzo - 2 Abril 2022

Curso precongreso: Fase Pre analitica.
Eduardo Aanday MariaE. Arredondo. Curso Acreditacion.
Leonardo Aguirre

XI Congreso Argentino de la Calidad 7,8 y 9 Noviembre 2022
en ellaboratorio clinico

Simposio Acreditacion. Leonardo Aguirre

1°Conferencia Latinoamericana deJovenes Profesionalales

Conferencia: Natalia Serrano

9 y 10 Diciembre 2022

211

REGIONAL RELATIONSSChQC has collaborations with several associations of medical laboratory.
• COLABIOCLI ( Confederación Latinoamericana de Bioquímica Clínica)• APTM (Asociación Panamericana de Tecnología Médica )• WG Pre Analityc Phase-LATAM COLABIOCLI Eduardo Aranda (member) andMaria E. Arredondo (member)• WG Accreditation Management COLABIOCLI Leonardo Aguirre (member) and Leticia
Luna (corresponding member)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSIFCC TF OSML Claudio Suarez (member)
IFCC EMD C-CMBC Cecilia Tapia (corresponding member)
IFCC National representative Eduardo Aranda

CHINA (TAIWAN)

CHINESE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY (CACB)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

CACB Annual General Meeting in
conjunction with 36th Joint An26-27 March 2022
nual Conference of Biomedical
Science (JACBS), Taipei, Taiwan

212

Topic
A hybrid format, the physical Conference venue
was at the National Yangming Jiaotong University, Yangming Campus, Taipei. CACB planned for ascientific symposium focusing on “Precision Laboratory Medicine and Sustainable Healthcare”. Four
speakers were invited to present the progress on
identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for various diseases. The speakers include
Dr. Khosrow Adeli, IFCC President and Professor
at The Hospital for Sick Children/University of Toronto, gave a keynote speech on “Value and Impact of Lab Medicine in Healthcare and Public
Health” (Photo 1); Dr. Wen-Chien Chou, Director of
the Department of Laboratory Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, presented “Precision Medicine– from blood cancers”; Dr. Sui-Yuan
Chang, Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, shared their latest findings on “Inhibitionof SARS-CoV-2 infection including the Omicron
variant by a broad-spectrum siRNA”; Dr. Wen-Hui
Ku, CEO of Taipei Institute of Pathology, presented“Precision Medicine: the utility of LC-MS” . CACB
also held competitions for poster and oral presentation. Overall, the two-day conference was successful and truly an enjoyable academic gathering
for the attending members of CACB.

40th Anniversary Conference ofChinese Association for Clinical
Biochemistry.

9 July 2022

The activity was held at the Department of ClinicalLaboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology,
National Taiwan University. A symposium of “Current IVD Industry Trends and Technologies.” Speakers and representatives from Roche Diagnostics
Ltd., Taiwan, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp.,
Taiwan Branch, and Sysmex Taiwan Co., Ltd wereinvited to deliver most updated development in IVD
Industry. A celebration was followed by the Symposium. Past and current presidents, board members
and friends of CACB reunited to honor the past andcelebrate the future of CACB (Photo 2).

EDUCATION
A traditional Chinese edition of “The chronicle and commemorative photographs of Chinese
Association for Clinical Biochemistry 1982-2022” was published and distributed to CACB
members as well as friends and supporters.
REGIONAL RELATIONS
A contribution of national society report to APFCB News 2022 Issue 1 published in March2022 and Issue 2 published in November 2022.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSCACB Executive Director and National Representative Dr Woei-Horng Fang attended IFCC
General Conference in Brussels. Dr. Fang reunited with old friends in IFCC and had a fruitful
discussion on education and regulation (Photos 3 to 7).
In the 2022 IFCC General Conference in Brussels, an agreement was achieved between Prof.
Nader Rifai (AACC) and Dr. Woei-horng Fang (CACB). In order to increase utility and eliminate
language barriers, Dr. Fang would join the Chinese version initiative of AACC Learning Lab for
Laboratory Medicine on NEJM Knowledge+ program. Dr. Fang proposed the Traditional Chinese version initiative and was accepted. The translation was started in December 2022 andThe Chinese site was schedule to be launched in April 2023 (Photo 8).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Photo 1 - CACB Board Members hada group photo with Dr. Adeli after his
keynote speech.

213

Photo 2 - CACB 40th anniversary.

Photos 3 to 7 - At 2022 IFCC General Conference in Brussels, CACB Executive Director Dr Fang presented “Thechronicle and commemorative photographs of Chinese Association for Clinical Biochemistry 1982-2022” to IFCC
President Prof Khosrow Adeli, Past President Prof Maurizio Ferrari and President-elect Prof Tomris Ozben, APFCB
President Dr Endang Horyanda and IFCC Secretariate staff.

214

Planning of 2022 events:
CACB annual conference and scientific symposium in conjunction with the 37th Joint Annual
Conference of Biomedical Science (JACBS). The main theme for JACBS this year is “Metabolism in Human Health”. Four speakers will be invited to present the progress on metabolomics
and its clinical applications. Professor Andrew Hoofnagle, Director of Division of Chemistry,
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington, is going to delivera keynote speech on “Clinical Metabolomics: Current state and future directions”. Professor
Ming-Shi Shiao, Consultant and CRO, GeneOnLink, and adjunct Professor, Graduate Instituteof Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chau Ton University, will present “Metabolomics
Enables Precision Medicine”. Professor Jentaie Shiea from National Sun Yat-sen University
will talk about “Rapid Characterization and Imaging of Drugs and Potential Metabolic Disease
Biomarkers on Human Skin with Ambient Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry”. Professor
Tjin-Shing Jap, Physician, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Taipei-Veterans General
Hospital will present” The laboratory evaluation of glucose and lipid metabolism from Biochemical perspectives”.

Photo 8In 2022 IFCC General Conference, Prof Nader Rifai(AACC) and Dr Woei-horng Fang (CACB) madean agreement for Traditional Chinese version
initiative of AACC Learning Lab for Laboratory
Medicine.

215

CROATIA

CROATIAN SOCIETY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRYAND LABORATORY MEDICINE (HDMBLM)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

10th Congress of the CroatianSociety of Medical Biochemistry
and Laboratory Medicine with
International Participation
organized by the Branchof Slavonia and Baranja

28.9.-1.10.2022

Providing an overview of the hot topics and novel
technologies in the field of laboratory medicine.
(https://kongres2022.hdmblm.hr/index.php/en/)

33rd Symposium of the CroatianSociety of Medical Biochemistry
and Laboratory Medicine

21.5.2022

Laboratory diagnosis of arterial hypertension

EDUCATION
CSMBLM organized 3 webinars in 2022. Topics covered were: POCT, laboratory diagnosticsof neurological disease and metabolism of iron (hepcidin).
Lecturers were local experts in the field.
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

Branch of Dalmatia

21.12.2022

Laboratory procedures and assessment of theadequacy of peritoneal dialysis

Branch of the Istria, Primorje-Gorski
Kotar and Lika region

1.12.2022

Therapeutic monitoring of antipsychotics
in the blood

9.6.2022

Down syndrome screening in the first trimester

13.12.2022

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - an oldanalysis in a new guise18.10.2022

Microscopy in the little finger

17.5.2022

Anemia of chronic disease

7.4.2022

Satiety and hunger hormones

19.12.2022

A new marker in the diagnosis of sepsis

2.5.2022

ESI parameter, a new way to fight sepsis

5.11.2022

Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Zagreb

Northwestern Branch

Branch of Slavonia and Baranja
European LabDay

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSCSMBLM members are active in CSMBLM voluntary activities in EFLM and IFCC also. Morethan 15 members are full/corresponding members or chairs of different EFLM and IFCC Committees and Working/Task Groups. Members are active in live and virtual meetings, and they
are participating in educational and scientific activities. The calls for new members are regularly
distributed to all CSMBLM members by mass mailing and posted on the official web page and216

on the official Facebook page. Moreover, CSMBLM is distributing in emails all organized activities under EFLM and IFCC auspices (congresses, webinars…).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCSMBLM supported an IFCC initiative Global MedLab Week 2022 and shared propagationmaterial on a web page, informed members about the initiative, and posted all propagation material on the official CSMBLM Facebook page. In 2022 CSMBLM marked European Laboratory
Day on November 5th with different activities organized by members in Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, and Zagreb. A few Croatian laboratories applied as an offerer in IFCC Professional
Exchange Programme. All CSMBLM members are members of the EFLM Academy by block
registration
CSMBLM is supporting members with bursaries for educational events and providing letters ofrecommendation for applying to specific member positions.

ESTONIAESTONIAN SOCIETY FOR LABORATORY MEDICINENATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

General meeting of ESLM

9.05 in Äksi, Tartumaa

Different topics: skeletal tissue bank in TUC, data viewer
in EHR and standardization of lab reports, pharmacogenetics, New approach for cardiovascular risk prediction in
ambulatory care, ELF in Clinical practice etc.

General meeting of ESLM

8.12 in Jõhvi, Ida-Virumaa

Different topics: Clinical impact of rapid molecular diagnosis of sepsis, Molecular controls as a routine tool in thelaboratory QC practice, etc

EDUCATIONESCMID Postgraduate Education Course “Antimicrobial susceptibility testing with EUCAST
criteria and methods” – September, 27-30th, Tallinn
Days for Estonian Clinicians - May 12-13th, Tartu
Session held by ESLM: “Laboratory`s response to clinical problems: algorithms and recommendations “
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

XVI Baltic Congress in Laboratory Medicine

September, 22-24

Organizer

REGIONAL RELATIONS
Cooperation between the Estonian and Lithuanian societies for Laboratory medicine in implementing the LOINC codes for laboratory tests in use in local laboratories

217

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSESLM is the member of the following international organizations: IFCC, EFLM, BALM,
ESCMID, EUCAST
Marina Ivanova is the national representative in EUCAST
Helle Järv is a member of EUCAST subcommittee AFST
Kadri Klaos is the member of EUCAST subcommittee AMST
Marika Jürna-Ellam is the member of EUCAST subcommittee ECMM
Agnes Ivanov is a member in the IFCC Working Group “Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety”(WG-LEPS) and corresponding member in IFCC TF-POCT
Marge Kütt is a corresponding member in the EFLM Working Group “Patient FocusedLaboratory Medicine“ (WG-PFLM)
Anna Velts-Lindh is a corresponding member in the IFCC working group TF-YS “Task Force
Young Scientists“.
Galina Zemtsovskaja is a corresponding member in IFCC working groups: Committee on
Clinical Applications of Cardiac Biomarkers (C-CB); Committee on Bone metabolism (C-BM);
Harmonization of Interpretive Commenting EQA (WG-ICQA)
Mikk Tooming is a corresponding member of IFCC working group Committee on MolecularDiagnostics (C-MD)
Kalle Kisand participated in activities of the scientific committee of EUROMEDLAB MUNICH
2021 (2022)
Mehis Bakhoff is the corresponding member of EFLM Task Force “Green & Sustainable
Laboratories“
Sim Iskül is the corresponding member of IFCC WG-eNews
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Together with Estonian Society of Bioanalysts, ESLM published issue No 8 (2022) of the journal“Eesti Laborimeditsiin“ (“Estonian Laboratory Medicine“) (in March).
There are 2 sections in ESLM:• Section of clinical microbiology• Section of laboratory physicians
There are working groups in the fields of• Laboratory terminology,• LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes),• Laboratory Quality,• Kidney Biomarkers,• Cardiac Markers,• Laboratory Hematology,• Diagnostics of Urogenital Infections• Protein electrophoresis• Flow cytometry• Method Harmonization• Implementation of IVDR in Estonian laboratories
22 laboratories are reporting all the laboratory test results electronically to the National Digital
Health Record. New forms of visual display of dynamical changes of test results are available
since 2021 in National Digital Health Record.

218

FINLANDFINNISH SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (SKKY)

NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Kevätkoulutuspäivät

19.-20.5.2022

General laboratory medicine (together with 2 other nationalorganizations in laboratory medicine)

Laboratoriolääketiede ja–näyttely

6.-7.10.2022

General laboratory medicine/session Biomarkers in Laboratory medicine

EDUCATION
National newsletter Kliinlab (4 journals/year, not peer-reviewed).
REGIONAL RELATIONSCollaboration with medical clinical chemistry specialist trade union and clinical chemist tradeunion.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSClose collaboration with Nordisk Forening for Klinisk Kemi/NFKK (Nordic collaboration).
One member in Nordisk Forening for Klinisk Kemi working group Preanalytic phase.
Active participation in Nordic collaboration, two members in Nordisk Forening for Klinisk
Kemi/NFKK board.
Collaboration with EFLM
Ten members or chairs in six EFLM working groups.
Collaboration with IFCC
Ten members or chairs in eight IFCC working groups, committees or task forces.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe board had five meetings. The society had two meetings. Active work with travel and research
grants.

FRANCESOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE BIOLOGIE CLINIQUE (SFBC)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSFBC Board (starting November 2022)
Executive Board:• President		• Vice-President		
• Past-President		
• General Secretary• •reasurer 		

Pr Katell PEOC’H
Pr Alain CARRIE
Pr Vincent SAPINDr Marie Christine BEAUVIEUX / Dr Caroline MOREAUDr Laurence MOULY

Scientific Committee:		

Dr Delphine COLLIN-CHAVAGNAC

219				Dr Constance DELABY
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

National meetings with SFBC
auspices (+ SFBC membersin the scientific committee)

BiomedJ 19-20 may 2022
JFBM 05 - 07 october 2022

Topic
Nutrition
Toxicology
Neuro filament light chain
Troponin

EDUCATION• Educational Committee chaired by Pr V. Sapin- Continuous professional development (DPC) and continuous medical education(CME) through SFBC scientific meeting sessions. V. Sapin is president of the
National organism of Professional Development called “Biologie Clinique• Committee on Evaluation of Professional Practices (C-EPP) : chaired by Dr I. AimoneGastin (Nancy)- National Agreement SFBC as Validating Society for “EPP”- Relations with the Federation of Medical Specialities (FSM)

REGIONAL MEETINGS and WEBINARS
Participation of SFBC members in International meetings• Euromedlab Munich 10-14 April 2022
- SYMPOSIUM 17 | New trends in standardization – Chairs: P. Gillery (France) (virtual),
E. Cavalier (Belgium). Standardization of bone markers – E. Cavalier (Belgium)- SYMPOSIUM 14 | Advances in IQC tools and techniques – The importance of
demonstrating commutability of reference materials with IQC – V. Delatour (France)- VIEWPOINT 6 | Regulating direct-to-consumer testing 2.0: Protecting the consumer –Chair: B. Gouget (France)- What is Direct-to-Consumer (D2C or DTC), how to increase Public Awareness –B. Gouget (France)• WorldLab Seoul 26-30 June 2022
- SYMPOSIUM 3 - THE FUTURE OF STANDARDIZATION IN LABORATORY MEDICINE:
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.. Standardization and harmonization of biologicalmeasurements: successes, pitfalls and challenges P. Gillery (France) (virtual)- SYMPOSIUM 4 - EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: NEW TRENDS AND CLINICALAPPLICATIONS. Genomics in oncology M. De Tayrac (France)

220

REGIONAL RELATIONSFunctional unit

Name

Surname

Position

TF: European regulatory
affairs

BernardPOGGICorresponding Member

TFG: Urinalysis (TFG-U)

AudreyMERENS

MemberMarinePESTEL-CARON

Corresponding member

TG: Chronic Kidney
DiseaseLaurence

CHARDON

Member

TG: European Laboratory
Day (TG-ELD)

Bernard

GOUGET

Member

WG: Accreditation and
ISO/CEN standards(WG-A/ISO)

Guilaine

BOURSIERChair

WG: Congresses andPost-Graduate Education

Guillaume

GRZYCH

Member - Young Scientist

WG: Guidelines (WG-G)

Bérénice

SCHELL

Member - Young Scientist

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• SFBC Committee on International Relations:- Prof. P. Gillery- Prof. J. Goudable- Pr M. Delpech- Dr L. Pieroni- Dr B. Gouget- Prof. V. Sapin• SFBC representatives:- IFCC: Prof. P. Gillery- EFLM: Prof. J. Goudable- WASPaLM: Prof. P. Gillery, Dr G. Boursier- FIFBCML: Prof V. Sapin, Prof M. Delpech, Dr L . Pieroni• Participation in the International Advisory Board of IFCC/EFLM meetings:- IFCC WorldLab Seoul 2022 (Pr P. Gillery, ISC Member)- FLM/IFCC EuroMedLab Munich 2022 (Pr P. Gillery, Chair of the Scientific ProgrammeCommittee, Joëlle Goudable, ISAB)- WorldLab - EuroMedLab Roma 2023 (Pr P. Gillery, Member of the Scientific
Programme Committee)- -SFBC: founding member of the FIFBCML: Fédération Internationale Francophone de
Biologie Clinique et de Médecine de Laboratoire.
- Participation of SFBC members at National meetings of IFCC full member societies.
Participation of SFBC members in IFCC Committees and Working Groups Scientific Division (SD)
Executive Committee
P. Gillery, Chair, 2020-2022
Committees– Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT)
V. Raverot, Member 2020-2022– Molecular Diagnostic (C-MD)
K. Peoc’h, corresp. Member– Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (C-TLM)
A. Vassault, corresp. Member– Bone markers (C-BM)
V. Delatour, Consultant
			J.P. Cristol, corresp. Membe
221

Working groups– Standardization of Procalcitonin assays (WG-PCT)
V. Raverot, Member 2020-2022
			
A. Boeuf, Member			
H. Briand, Member			
A.M. Dupuy, Member			
P. Hausfater, Member– Standardization of Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin
		 (WG-CDT)
F. Schellenberg, Member– CSF Proteins (WG-CSF)
S. Lehmann, Member				
V. Delatour, Member– Commutability in Metrological Traceabiliy (WG-CMT)
V. Delatour, Member– Apolipoproteins by Mass Spectrometry (WG-Apo MS)
V. Delatour, Member			
E. Angles-Cano, Member– Standardisation of Albumin Assay in Urine (WG-SAU)
L. Pieroni, Corresp. Member– Standardisation of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma 		Protein (WG-PAPPA)
R. Garnotel, corresp. Member– Standardization of Troponin I (WG-TNI)
G. Lefèvre, Corresp. Member– Standardisation of Hemoglobin A2 (WG-HbA2)
M. Arock, Corresp Member Education and Management Division (EMD)
Committees– Committee on Point of Care Testing (C-POCT)

M. Vaubourdolle, Member,2020-2022– Committee on Education in the Use of Biomarkers of
		 Diabetes (C-EUBD)
P. Gillery, corresp. Member– Committee on Kidney Disease (C-KD)
J.P. Cristol, corresp. Member
Working Group– Flow Cytometry (WG-FC)
C. Lambert, Chair, 2022-2024
 Emerging Technology Division (ETD)– Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering		 in Laboratory Medicine (C-MHBLM)– Committee on Omics Translation (C-OT)– Emerging technologies in Pediatric Laboratory
Medicine (C-ETPLM)

 Task Forces (TF)

– Task Force on History (TF-H)– Task Force on Global Newborn Screening(TF-NBS)– Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)				– Task Force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)

222

B. Gouget, Chair, 2021-2023
M. De Tayrac, Member,
2019-2021
A. Mailloux, corresp. Member
B. Gouget, Co-Chair, 2022-2024
E. Lebredonchel, Member(Y.S), 2021-2023
J.M. Giannoli, Member, 2021-2023
A. Perret-Liaudet, Member,		
2021-2023
A. Vassault, Member, 2021-2023
M. Lenski, corresp. Member

GEORGIALABORATORY MEDICINE ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA(GLMA)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Online conference

2022 May

Approaches in laboratory medicine considering the covid
pandemic and post-covid complications. Georgia

Scientific conference

2022 September

Modern Laboratory Medicine Achievement and Challenges.
Georgia, Batumi

EDUCATION• 2022 IFCC LIVE WEBINAR COVID-19
and Laboratory Medicine Rolein Georgia• D-Dimer assay harmonization andstandardization problem

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• 24th IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine;
Munich, April 10–14, 2022
• 2022 EQA pilot program acc. to IFCC’s global initiative to enhance clinical laboratories’
quality in developing countries – 5 participant laboratories from Georgia• 24th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine - IFCCWorldLab SEOUL 2022
• IFCC General Conference – Brussels, November 2022
GLMA is the full member of the following international organizations: IFCC, EFLM
Full membership:• Nino Tabatadze – IFCC Task Force on Global eLearning/eAcademy (TF-GEL)• Sofo Jashiashvili – EFLM Working Group on Distance Education and e-Learning (WG-DE)
Corporate membership:• Giorgi Kamkamidze – EFLM working group on Postanalytical Phase (WG-POST)• Ekaterine Kupatadze – EFLM WG on Patients Focused Laboratory Medicine (WG-PFLM)• Tamar Ramishvili – IFCC Task Force for Young Scientists (TF-YS)• Maka Dakhundaridze – IFCC Committee on Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine(C-EBLM)• Maia Alkhazishvili – IFCC Committee on Clinical Laboratory Management (C-CLM)• Manana Akhvlediani – IFCC Task Force on Ethics• Ekaterine Kupatadze – IFCC Task Force on Global Reference Interval Database (TF-GRID)• Nino Abesadze – IFCC Task Force on Global Newborn Screening (TF-NBS)• Nino Bakuradze – IFCC Taskforce on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)• Nino Bekaia – IFCC Committee on Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT)
223

• Ekaterine Khmaladze – IFCC Committee on Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum(C-CMBC)• Prof. Manana Akhvlediani – GLMA board member - EFLM academy reword 2022
• Nana Dzneladze - GLMA board member – EFLM WG “Accreditation and ISO/CE standards”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONMarch 2022 – Support of Ukraine
GLMA sent special cargo with laboratory reagents and supplies for Ukrainian people

GERMANYDEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR KLINISCHE CHEMIE
UND LABORATORIUMSMEDIZIN E.V. (DGKL)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

5. Munic POCT Symposium

15.-17. March 2022

Various topics

8. Central German Laboratory Conference

5.-6. May 2023

Various topics

Annual General Meetingof the DGKL (approx. 700
attendees)

13.-14. October 2022

Entire range of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

User convention Clinical
Mass Spectrometry

24.-25. October 2023

Various topics

EDUCATION
Several Short Courses in the context of the Annual Meeting of the DGKL.
Revision course Clinical Chemistry for preparation of the board exam European Clinical
Chemist 28 March – 3 April 2022, Hannover224

Exams:28.-29. April 2022, Berlin
20.-21. October 2022, Berlin
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

EuroMedLab Munich

10.-14. April 2022

Congress President

Anaytica Conference

21.-23. June 2022

Congress organisation in cooperation with the chemical societies (GdCh, GBM)REGIONAL RELATIONS
Active participation in EFLM in several functional units.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Kohse is EFLM-Treasurer.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Active participation in IFCC including several Working Groups, Task Forces etc.
Journal of Laboratory Medicine, Official Journal of the DGKLADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Research Atlas with information on university laboratory medicine in Germany
Approx. 1.100 members

HONG KONG, CHINA (HK)HONG KONG SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY(HKSCC)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

HKSCC Annual Scientific Meetingand Annual General MeetingDate

22nd January 2022

Topic
1. The Emerging Potentialof Gut Microbiota in Screening
for Colorectal Cancer andAdenomas
2. The Way Towards Precision
Medicine - Insight from High
Risk Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Screening
1. Iron Profile Made Easy

HKSCC Online Seminar

23rd July 2022

2. Porphyria: Topic Review andCase Presentation
3. Review on the Biomarker in Liver
Fibrosis
1.Cushing’s syndrome: Diagnostic
workup and challenges

HKSCC Online Seminar

19th November 2022

2. Vitamin D Metabolism: A Review
3. Abnormal thyroid function tests
in a 9-month-old boy

225

EDUCATIONThe 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was held 22nd Jan 2022 in hybrid mode and thetheme was “Biomarkers in Oncology: Current Practice and Development in Hong Kong”. There
were two presentations from invited speakers: (1) “The Emerging Potential of Gut Microbiota
in Screening for Colorectal Cancer and Adenomas” by Professor Martin CW WONG, Director,
The Jockey Club Bowel Cancer Education Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and(2) “The Way Towards Precision Medicine - Insight from High Risk Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Screening” by Dr Chris TL CHAN, Molecular Geneticist, Supervisor, Division of MolecularPathology, Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. The ASM was attended
by 71 members and guests.

ASM 2022 (22 Jan 2022): Prof Martin CW WONG (1)Chairman and speakers on Zoom

226

ASM 2022 (22 Jan 2022): Dr Chris TL CHAN (2)An online seminar was hold on 23rd June via
Zoom platform. There were three presentations
by invited local speakers: ‘Iron Profile Made
Easy’ by Dr Jenny CHENG, Prince of Wales
Hospital, ‘Porphyria: Topic Review and Case
Presentation’ by Dr Jeremiah TSEUNG,
Princess Margaret Hospital, ‘Review on the
Biomarker in Liver Fibrosis’ by Dr Kelvin YIPof Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.
This virtual seminar was attended by 98
members and guests.

Another online seminar was hold on 19th November via Zoom platform. There were threepresentations by invited local speakers: ‘Cushing’s syndrome: Diagnostic workup andchallenges’ by Dr Hoi Shan LEUNG, Princess Margaret Hospital; ‘Vitamin D Metabolism: A
Review’ by Dr Shreenidhi R SUBRAMANIAM, Prince of Wales Hospital; and ‘Abnormal thyroid
function tests in a 9-month-old boy’ by Dr Rachel SW YIU of Queen Mary Hospital. The virtual
seminar was attended by 82 members and guests.
REGIONAL MEETINGSNILHUNGARYHUNGARIAN SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINE(MLDT)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

26 May, 2022

consequences of the covid infectionin the fields of cardiology, pediatrics,
immunology, psychiatry, primary care;
autoantibodies and coagulopathy related tocovid infection; coagulation tests in covid
infectioninvestigations, postgradual education

Immunological Diagnostics:
Novelties in COVID-19 Infection andAutoimmune Liver Diseases

13 October, 2022

humoral and cellular immune response
to covid vaccination, COVID-19 andautoimmunity, autoimmune liver diseases,
cryoglobulinemia

QualiCont Forum 2022

16 November, 2022

internal and external quality control, POCT,
infertility, systemic autoimmune diseases,
vaccination

Interdisciplinary Lab Professional
Day: Clinical and Laboratory
Consequences of the COVID-19
Pandemic

EDUCATION
The above three meetings all had educational and continuous professional development
purposes as well.
REGIONAL RELATIONSRegionally, Hungarian specialists in laboratory medicine conventionally have good relations
with similar experts in Croatia, Austria and Romania. Some colleagues working in Hungarianlabs originally come from Romania.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSMembers of our society regularly participate in international congresses like the EuroMedLab2022 Munich and the WorldLab Seoul 2022.
International roles:
IFCC Communications and Publications Division, Vice Chair: Prof. János Kappelmayer
IFCC, eJIFCC, Editor: Prof. János Kappelmayer
IFCC Communications and Publications Division, Working Group-eJIFCC, Chair: Prof. János
Kappelmayer, Members: Dr. Harjit Pal Bhattoa, Prof. Tamás Kőszegi, Prof. Gábor L. Kovács
IFCC Scientific Division, Committee on Bone Metabolism, Member: Dr. Harjit Pal Bhattoa
EFLM Science Committee, Working Group: Postanalytical Phase, Expert/Consultant: Dr. Éva
Ajzner227

EFLM Education and Training Committee, Working Group: Congresses and Postgraduate
Education, Member: Dr. Zsuzsa Bagoly
EFLM Communication Committee, Working Group: Promotion and Publications, Chair: Dr.
Harjit Pal Bhattoa
EFLM EuroLabNews, Editor: Dr. Harjit Pal Bhattoa
EFLM Profession Committee, Task Group: EFLM Syllabus Course, Member: Dr. Harjit Pal
Bhattoa
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There were also some other postgraduate educational courses in our field (laboratory medicine)organized by medical universities independently of our national society.

INDIA

ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTS OF INDIA (ACBI)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

48th Annual National Conference of Associationof Clinical Biochemists of India.

23 – 26th November 2022

Theme: ”Harnessing Basic
And Molecular Research
to Enhance Patient Care”

EDUCATIONACBI National Conference – New Delhi
Workshops:
a. Genetics in Medical Diagnostics and Prognostics,
b. Statistical Analysis of Research Data including Meta-analysis –Hands onWorkshop,c. Hands-on-training: In vitro mammalian cell culture techniques and its application,
d. Newborn Screening - From Text to Test, End-to-end Integrated Total Laboratory
Automation,e. Applied Artificial Intelligence Research Genome editing via CRISPR-Cas9,
f. Roadmap to Laboratory Accreditation as per ISO 15189 and Molecular Advances in
Cardiovascular Research
Awadhesh Saran Memorial Oration : Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, NITI AAYOG, Government ofIndia. gave his inaugural-cum-oration address on ‘The COVID Journey of India’
Dr. K.P Sinha Oration: Dr. Maurizio Ferrari, (Past President IFCC), Director of Research,Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, CNR,Trento, Italy. Prof. Maurizio Ferrari
described the new highly sensitive methods developed for the analysis of ctDNA and
CTCs in plasma, thus enabling mutation testing of cancer without a biopsy specimen, andenhancing diagnosis and management in these patients.
Dr. Praveen Sharma Oration: Prof. Sedef Yenice, Professor of Biochemistry and Clinical
Chemistr, Group Florence Nightingale Hastaneleri, Istanbul, Turkey, Chair, EFLM Working
Group on Laboratory Medicine Credit Points (WG-LMCP) (2021-present), Chair, IFCC Abbott

228

Visiting Lecturer Program (VLP) (2021-present) Executive Member of IFCC Education andManagement Division (EMD)(2020-present), Expert and Advisor, IFCC EMD, Committee on
Clinical Laboratory Management (2020-present), Member, CLSI ExP on Clinical Chemistry
and Toxicology (CHEM) (2020-present). Prof. Sedef Yenice’s oration was aimed at providing
the attendees (1) ways to improve laboratory testing practices to increase the chances ofbetter patient outcomes by supporting clinical decision making, (2) reduce unnecessary costs
associated with laboratory testing, and (3) provide knowledge of the supporting infrastructureneeded to develop and sustain programs to improve laboratory test utilization.
K.L.Gupta Memorial Oration: Dr.Rahul Purwar, Associate Professor, Department of
Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Powai. Prof Rahul Purwar
discussed the collaborative effort of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Tata Memorial
Centre (TMC), Mumbai, India in bringing forth an innovative genetic cure for haematologicalcancers – Chimeric-Antigen-Receptor-T (CAR-T) cells – which not only have shown remarkablesuccess in clinical trials, but are also affordable by the common man.
Dr. T.N. Patabhiraman Oration: Dr Vijay Kutala, Dept. of Clinical Pharmacology &Therapeutics, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Chairman, State Allied & Healthcare
Council, Hyderabad. Dr. Kutala described how they increased the bioavailability and therapeuticpotential of curcumin through triphenyl phosphonium conjugation, thus making it efficientagainst cancer and infective diseases while having no deleterious effect against normal cells.
Mrs. & Dr. G.P. Talwar Oration: Prof. Arnab Pal, Professor, Department of Biochemistry,
PGIMER, Chandigarh. Prof. Arnab Pal described how he and his team of young scientists
have identified 135 dysregulated proteins in the saliva of oral squamous cell carcinoma
patients. They also identified differential transcriptomic signatures of CTCs associated withtumour aggressiveness and disease outcome, as highly significant prognostic biomarkers for
personalization of cancer therapy.
TARANATH SHETTY MEMORIAL POPULAR LECTURE SERIES ORATION: Dr. Jitendra
N. Verma Ph.D., Founder, Managing Director Lifecare Innovations Pvt. Ltd.: Liposomal
Amphotericine B In Saline: A Matchless Antifugal Drug Developed In India Through Industryacademia Collaboration.

Symposia: Metabolic Syndrome: The Obstinate Multiorgan Malady• Dr. Ramy S.H. Assaad Khalil: Post –Partum Thyroid Disturbances: Is It Always
The Same?
• Prof. Moinuddin: Glycooxidative Modifications Of Proteins And Pathogenesis• Dr. Sudhir Kalhan: Bariatric Surgery to the Rescue of Metabolic Syndrome: A Tertiary
Care Center Experience• Dr. Pankaj Sharma: Biomarkers of clinical relevance in patients with
Symposium: Adding Value To Laboratory Testing: Quality Control Validation Verification
And Risk Assessment – Tools For Sustainability• Dr. T. Venkatesh: Risk Management - A Tool For Sustainable Laboratory.
• Dr. Barnali Das: Proper Implementation of DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ and Verification/ Validation
Protocol: Tools to Ensure Quality of Results.
• Prof. Egon Peter Amann: The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods• Mr. Pankaj Johri: “Adding Values to Medical Laboratory Quality Practices: Validation& Verification as per ISO 15189”

229

Symposium: Liquid Biopsy: From Bench To Bedside• Dr. Anurag Mehta: Evolution of Liquid Biopsy and nuances of digital droplet PCR(ddPCR)• Dr. Shrinidhi Nathany: Liquid Biopsy In The Era Of NGSPrinciples & Interpretation• Dr. Ullas Batra: Liquid Biopsy- A Clinician’s Perspective
Symposium: Immuno Modulatory And Therapeutic Strategies In Health And Disease• Dr. Arvind Sahu: Designing complement regulator: lessons from viruses• Dr. Nimesh Gupta: T cells in virus infection and vaccination: Lessons for vaccine
development.
• Dr. Alpana Sharm: New insights of γδ-T cells in Vitiligo: A potential therapeutic target• Dr. Kalpana Luthra: Reverse vaccinology in HIV-1 infection
Symposium: Immunobiology Of Transplantation: Recent Trends• Dr. (Col) Ajay Baranwal: Antibody monitoring in Solid Organ Transplantation• Dr. Meenakshi Singh: Immunogenetic paradigms in Hematopoietic stem celltransplantation• Dr. Niraj Tyagi: Biomarker Guided AKI Management: The Paradigm Shift
Symposium: Harmonisation Of Global Lab Quality- IFCC Strategies.
• Dr. Alexander Haliassos: Harmonization of Global Laboratory Quality- IFCC Strategies• Prof. Egon Peter Amann: IFCC’s Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ)- A Status
Report• Dr. Qing Meng: Quality Control: Strategy and Practice for Clinical Laboratories• Dr. Pradeep K Dabla: HbA1C- NGSP/DC
Symposium: Novel Drug Therapies: Application And Challenges• Dr. Sangeeta Sharma: Clinical Utility of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) in
Neuropsychiatry Practice• Dr. JPS Sawhney: Non Statin Therapy For Dyslipidemia• Dr. Jyoti Kotwal: DOACS the New Kid in the Block• Prof. Narinder S. Sahni: Blood Fatty Acids: Surrogate Markers of an Imbalanced Diet
and Chronic Inflammation.
Symposium: Protean Manifestations Of Cancer: Distilled Through The Laboratory• Dr. Kinjalka Ghosh: Abnormal Clinical Chemistry In Cancer• Dr. Shrikant Raut: Interferences: Part and Parcel Of Clinical Chemistry• Dr. Geeta Rathnakumar: Tumor Markers: Finding The Wolf Amongst The Sheep.
• Dr. Mingma Sherpa: Evaluation Of Urine, Oral Gargle And Cervical Smears As Biological
Samples For Detection Of High Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection Status Among
Women In Sikkim Using Real Time PCR &HC.
Symposium: Integrating Epigenetic Research With Clinics• Dr. Vaishali Suri: Current status of Methylation profiling as a diagnostic toolin CNS tumours• Dr. Gangandeep Walia: Basic and Clinical Epigenetics in Cardiometabolic Disorders• Dr. Sourav Banerjee: “Best out of waste : Non-coding RNAs in synapse development
and memory
Symposium: Nutrigenomics - Future Of Personalized Nutrition• Dr. Sunita Agarwal: Intermittent Fasting In Metabolic Diseases• Dr. Preeti Jain: Can Nutrition Be Tailored To One’s Genes?

230• Dr. Jyotdeep Kaur: The Imbalance Of Maternal Folic Acid And Vitamin B12 During
Pregnancy Leads To Adverse Newborn Outcomes, Are There Transgenerational
Epigenetic Effects?
• Dr. Sadanand Naik: Micronutrients and Immune system in Reducing the Risk
of Infection
Symposium: Shifting Paradigms In Clinical Diabetology• Dr. Anand Chellappan: Redefining Diabetes Care: Shift From Glucocentric To Organ
Protective Approach• Dr. Kannan Vaidyanathan: Emerging Technologies For Diabetes Management:
Application And Challenges• Dr. Susruta Sen: Unravelling the Mysteries of Hormone Assays• Dr. Brijesh Rathore: Incidence Of New Onset Diabetes In Post Covid- 19 Patients.
Symposium: Heavy Metals In Health And Disease• Dr. Prasenjit Mitra: Immunological Aspects of Lead Toxicity• Dr. K K Sharma: Toxic Effects of Lead on Different Body Organs.
• Dr. Shailja Sharma: Molecular updates of Lead Toxicity• Dr. Rachna Agarwal: Iron Profile and Parkinson’s Disease Risk: Evidence from
Discriminately Analysis
Symposium: Exploring The Biochemistry Competency Based Curriculum• Dr. Ritu Singh: Electives Of CBME: The Purpose, The Organization and The LogisticsThe Role of Biochemistry• Dr. Sucheta Dandekar: Implementing Self- Directed Learning (SDL) In Biochemistry-- A Step to Life-Long Learning• Dr. Rohini Bhadre: Reflections And Reflective Writing - A Tool For Self - Assessment
Symposium: Basics Of Using CRISPR Based DNA Editing Systems• Ms. Rhythm Phutela: Repair Pathways In CRISPR Mediated Genetic Perturbation• Ms. Meghali Aich: Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency• Ms. Saumya Sharma: Modelling A Rare Neuropathy Using Human Ipscs• Ms. Sajal Sarkar: Delivery Of CRISPR Effectors Inside Cells
Symposium: Ethics In Laboratory Medicine• Dr. Jawahar Kalra: Ethical And Legal Aspects In Medical Errors Disclosure• Prof. Dr. R. Dhananjayan: Ethical Considerations Of Good Clinical Laboratory Practices• Dr. Arun Gupta: Medical Negligence Issues In Pathological Practice• Dr. Sudip Kumar Datta: Emerging Challenges in Ethics in Laboratory Medicine IFCC
Perspectives
Symposium: Epidemiology: Past Present & Future• Maj. Gen. Atul Kotwal: Biochemical Markers: Health Systems Transformation at District& Below.
• Dr. Lalit Kant: Epidemiology And Biochemistry: Complimentary Couple• Prof. Ken Sikaris: Reference Intervals - The Importance Of Racial/ Ethnic Variations
Symposium: Biobanking: Paving The Way For Medical Research• Dr. Juhi Tayal Tumor: tissue banking @Rajiv Gandhi Cancer institute. New delhi.
A Decade’s experience• Dr. Aruna Korlimarla: Biobanking: The Why And How?
• Dr. Birendra Kumar Yadav: BiobankingIn Future Health: Barriers And Opportunities

231Symposium: Recent Advances In Infectious Diseases• Dr. Sadhna Sharma: Identification of signature MicroRNAs in tuberculosis and diabetes
copathogenesis Dr. Rajat Sandhir: Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates Microglial Activation
and Polarization in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation• Dr. Dharamvir Yadav: Association of bone metabolic profile with severity and mortality
in SARS –CoV-2 Patients• Dr. Manaswini Mangaraj: Metabolomics Strategy in Medicine – from Tuberculosis
perspectives
Symposium: Neurogenetics In Neurological Diseases- Diagnostic Insight• Prof. Rajinder K. Dhamija: Genetics Of Stroke• Dr. Ritushree Kukreti: Epilpeptic Drugs Response - Pharmacogenomics Signatures
On Anti- Epileptic Drugs.
• Dr. Neera Chaudhary: Brain Ketonemia - Is it the Panacea
Symposium: Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine: Where Is The Evidence And How We
Apply It?
• Dr. Ramy S.H. Assaad Khalil: Evidence Insights on Routine Endocrine and Diabetes
tests• Dr. Arvind Kumar: Interpreting Biochemical Markers in Infectious Diseases• Dr. S Aruselvi: Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine -ABG and Electrolytes’ Correlation
With Transfusion in Trauma Patients.
• Dr. Tahir Pillay: Calculated LDL-Cholesterol: Applying Best Practice And Recent
Advances
Symposium: Effective Leadership And Management In The Medical Laboratory• Dr. Sedef Yenice: Strategies For Effective Conflict Management In The Medical
Laboratory Workplace Dr. Prasenjit Mitra: Leadership Attitudes and Learning Styles
for Medical Laboratory Professionals• Dr. Praveen Sharma: Fundamentals Of Effective Communication For Laboratory
Managers
Symposium: Quality And Six Sigma• Prof. Ken Sikaris: Quality indicators in test requisitioning and reporting• Dr. Rajesh Sharma: Significance Of An Automated QC System For Management
Of Assay Performance Dr. Shyamali Pal: Tracking the Correlation of Pre Analytical
Factors and Sample Stability Across Distant Transportation• Dr. Dinesh Yadav: Post Analytical Variables in Clinical Biochemistry
Symposium: Newborn Screening - First Step For Baby’s Health• Dr. Parimala V Thirumalesh: Cat Or Big Cat? - Compilation Of Clinical Cases
Of Disguise• Dr. Sanjay Wazir: Universal New Born ScreeningThe Spot And The Beyond.
• Lt. Col. Anurodh Gupta: Cost Effective Strategy For Screening New Borns In India• Dr. Suparva Patel: Disease Modifying Genetic Determinants of Cystic Fibrosis
in Children: Journey Through Case Series
Symposium: Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning In Clinical Practice• Dr. Shabbir Syed Abdul: Application Of AI In Healthcare: Challenges And Opportunities• Dr. Gowhar Shafi: AI-Enabled Identification And Prediction Of Genomic Signatures
From Histopathology Images• Dr. Souvik Chakravarty: Open Source Digital Twin Development In Health Care232

Symposium: Recent Advances: Pulmonary Health & Laboratory Medicine• Dr. Sonam Spalgais: Recent Advances In Laboratory Diagnostics Of Interstitial Lung
Disease And Its Management• Dr. Vishwajeet Rohil: Polyphenolic Acetates: Novel Epigenome Targeted Drugs For
Lung Carcinogenesis• Dr.Jayeeta Bhadra: Biomarkers In Diagnosis And Management Of Obstructive Airway
Diseases
Symposium: Micronutrients In Health And Disease: Consequences Of Subclinical
Deficiency• Prof. Najmul Islam: A Preliminary Study on the Beneficial Effects of hytochemicals andNatural Antioxidants in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)• Dr. Sharwari Narawade: Vitamin B12 and Folate in Indian vegetarians- necessityof supplementation• Dr. Smita Kaushik: Human Milk: Personalized Nutrition for Infants• Dr. Namita P. Mahalle: Vitamin B12 and B6 In Indian vegetarians- effect of milk
supplementation
Symposium: AACC India Section- Career Directives For Young Biochemists: Addressing
The Different Perspective And Opportunities In Academics Administration ClinicalLaboratory & Industry• Dr. Nimmi Kansal: Biochemist’s Role In Reference Lab & Specialized Field• Dr. Anjali Singh: Biochemist’s Role In IVD Sector• Dr. Jayashree Bhattacharjee: Biochemist’s Role In Hospital & Medical College
Administration• Dr. Subrata Sinha: Biochemist’s Role In Research & Academics• Dr. Qing Meng: Career Opportunity For Chemical Pathologist In US• Dr. Susruta Sen: Biochemist’s Role As Lab Director In A Tertiary Care Hospital
Symposium: Male Infertility: Unexplored Arena/Avenues• Dr. Kanimozhi Sadasivam: The Long Winding Tale Of Ion Channels In Sperm Science• Dr. Reeta Bansiwal: Do Semen Parameters Affect Success of IVF• Dr. Savita Yadav: Sperm Proteomics Reveals Over Represented Oxidative Stress
Pathways In iRPL
Symposium: Stem Cells And Regenerative Medicine• Dr (Lt Col) Pawan Kumar Gupta: Commercializing Cell Therapy Products in India- Journey from Bench to Bedside.
• Dr. Saurabh Ghosh: Cartilage Tissue engineering: 3D Bioprinted Cartilage• Dr. Sudip Sen: Differentiating Human fetal Neural Stem Cells Into Oligodendrocytes
To Understand The Pathogenesis Of Cerebral Palsy In Premature Neonates
Symposium: Cardiovascular Disease - Laboratory To Bedside• Dr. Medha Rajappa: Psoriasis & cardiovascular disease: Decoding the genetics of thisconnection.
• Dr. P. D. Gupta: Cardiovascular Disorders during Menopause• Dr. Anita R Bhatia: Association of CD40 Gene polymorphism with coronary Arterydisease: A pilot study in North Indian population• Dr. Wahid Ali: Endothelium enriched MicroRNA126 &122 in Coronary Artery233Symposium: Integrated Health Care SystemOrganization Perspective And Vision In Indian
Scenario• Dr. Preeti Chauhan: Opportunities and challenges of HIMS and LIS in government
hospitals• Dr. Sandeep Chopra: eHospital application implementation across Government
Hospitals - Roadmap to Digital Health• Mr Anurag Saxena: India pioneering transformative change in healthcare with digitalinterventions• Dr. Mamta Kankra: Health Information Exchange (HIE): Role In Enhanced Patient CareFree Paper Sessions by 85 delegates
Oral Award categories: Twenty two young investigators presented their work and vied for theawards.
154 poster presentations
AFMC Quiz contest
Industrial Workshop and Scientific activities: Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd, ROCHE Diagnostics,
Beckman Ltd., DiaSys Ltd, Q-Line Biotech, OCD Ltd.,REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry at
Coex, Seoul, Korea

Date

Society’s contribution forthe meeting

June 26 to 30, 2022

Dr. Praveen Sharma & Dr
Rajiv R Sinha participatedin the APFCB Council
Meeting. Dr Rajiv Sinha
chaired a session on Covid
Diagnostics.

REGIONAL RELATIONS
Many members of ACBI are also actively participating in the affairs of APFCB. Dr Praveen
Sharma, Dr. Pradeep Dabla, Dr Purvi Purohit, Dr Prasenjit Mitra as chairpersons/members ofvarious divisions & sub-committees.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Many members of ACBI are actively participating in the affairs of IFCC. Dr Praveen Sharma,
Dr. Pradeep Dabla, Dr Prasenjit Mitra, Dr Seema Bhargava, Dr Barnali Das & Dr Sudip Datta arechairpersons/members of various divisions & sub-committees of IFCC.
Large number of members participated as delegate at the 24th International Congress of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine & 16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry at
Coex, Seoul, Korea from June 26 to 30, 2022.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe 49th Annual National Conference of the association will be held in Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum), Kerala in September 2023. The organizing secretary is Dr Kannan Vaidyanathan.

234

The following were elected as office bearers of ACBI for the year 2023:
PRESIDENT:
Dr. Seema Bhargav
			Chairperson and Senior Consultant,
Department of Biochemistry & Professor,
GRIPMER, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi, India
Phone no. 91-9818084844
Email id: bhargavaseema6@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT (I) & ORGANIZING SECRETARY, ACBICON 2023
Dr. Kannan Vaidyanathan, MD, FRCP (Edin.)Professor & Head,
Department of Biochemistry,
Believers Church Medical College Hospital,
St. Thomas Nagar, Kuttapuzha,
Tiruvalla - 689103, Kerala, India
Tel. Off. +469 2742800 Ext 2126;
Mob - +919447286365
Email: drkannanvaidyanathan@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT (II)Dr. Harsh Vardhan Singh
Senior Biochemist
Department of Biochemistry,
North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College & Hindu Rao Hospital,
Delhi-110007
Email: hvsingh77@gmail.com
Mobile: +91-9810910824
Office: 011-23905690 (Direct)
ADVISOR
Prof. K.P. Sinha,
Director,
Biochem Lab
East Boring Canal Road,
Patna-800001, India
Tel: 91-612-2521496/2531212;
Mobile:09430061144
email: kpsacbi@yahoo.co.in
SECRETARY:
Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Sinha,
Professor & Head,
Department of Biochemistry,
Nalanda Medical College,
Kankerbagh Road, Patna-800023, Bihar, India
Tel: 91-612-2531212
Cell: 09835067630, 09801800171
email: kpsacbi@yahoo.co.in
Web: www.acbindia.org.in
235

TREASURER:
Dr Krishna Ranjan Prasad,
Professor, Dept.of Biochemistry, Katihar Medical College.
A-12 Sector D, Kankerbagh Colony,
Patna - 800 020. Bihar.
Tel #: 91-612-2353461
Mobile: 09334330401
email: k_ranjan@msn.com, kpsacbi@yahoo.co.in
JOINT SECRETARY:
1. Dr. Prasenjit Mitra
Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry
PGIMER,
Sector - 12
Chandigarh – 160 012 		
Cell - 8107835666
Email: prasy4u@gmail.com
2. Dr Mamta Kankra
Senior Consultant
Department of Biochemistry& Quality Manager, Clinical Laboratory Services,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
New Delhi 110060
Phone: +91 42252122
Mob: - 9811514406, 9310117359
Email: kankramamta@gmail.com
ZONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
North Zone:
Dr. Dharamveer Yadav
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biochemistry
S.M.S. Medical College
Jaipur – 302 004
E-mail: dharam1435@gmail.com
South Zone:
Dr Medha Rajappa,
Additional Professor of Biochemistry,
Department of Biochemistry,
Second Floor, Academic Centre,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER),
Dhanvantari Nagar, Puducherry-605006
E-mail: linkmedha@gmail.com
Phone: 094863-98875
West Zone:

236

Dr Barnali Das
Consultant, Laboratory Medicine,
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute,
Mumbai - 400053.
Mobile: 9324349519
Email: drbarnalid@gmail.com
Central Zone:
Dr. Sukhes Mukherjee
Associate Professor
Dept of Biochemistry,All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Bhopal- 462020
Madhya Pradesh
Mobile: 989780019
Email: sukhes.mukherjee@gmail.com
East Zone:
Dr. Vanita Lal
Professor & Head
Department of Biochemistry
AIIMS
Panchayat Training Institute
Daburgram, Jasidih
Deoghar- 814142
Jharkhand.
Mobile: 8003996875
Email: laldasvanita@gmail.com

INDONESIAINDONESIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY(HKKI)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

16th IACC NATIONAL CONGRESS

22nd-24th July 2022

The Future of Clinical Laboratory:
Precision Medicine Perspective

EDUCATION
Westgard Series: From A to Z Laboratory Risk Management, webinar, 19th November 2022
Green Lab Capacity Building, webinar, 15th December 2022
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

IACC’s Lampung Branch
Inauguration

16 September 2022

Scientific Seminar for Pathologist and Labtechs
with topic: ”Update of Autoimmune Diseases:
Early Diagnosis, Management and Laboratory
Aspect of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus”

th

237

IRELANDASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTSIN IRELAND (ACBI)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meetingDate

44 Annual conference

14 - 15 October

th

th

Topic
Precision medicine, Biochemsmitry
through the ages, Nutrition,
International matters,
Pharmacogeneticsth

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

ACB Republic of Ireland Scientificmeeting

4th March 2022

Society’s contribution for the meeting

REGIONAL RELATIONSEFLM working group corresponding members
Pre-analytical Phase: Dr Seán Costelloe
Register: Michéal Ryan
Distance education and e-learning: Dr Graham Lee
ISO and accrediation standards: Ruth O’Kelly
EFLM Reference Intervals and Decision Limits: Alison Bransfield
EFLM Green Labs Task force member: Dr Seán Costelloe
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSIFCC Young scientist task force member: Karen Heverin

238

ITALYITALIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND
CLINICAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (SIBioC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic
The National Congress is the most important annual event heldby a Scientific Society, representing a unique opportunity for
updates, cultural discussions, exchanging opinions, sharing ideas
and experience, and innovation.
The goal of the Congress is to discuss the current themes with
illustrious international figures from the Laboratory Medicine field,
and the future outlooks in predicting, preventing, diagnosing,prognosis and therapy for various pathologies of great clinicalsignificance.
The success of this year’s National Congress held in Genoa withover 1200 participants, the presentation of 300 abstracts,
12 scientific sessions with 115 full presentations and 10 workshops
was of great satisfaction for SIBioC, especially after Covid19
isolation.

54° National Congress
SIBIOC – Laboratory
Medicine
Laboratory Medicine:
the bridge between
present and future in
healthcare

Genoa, 5-7
October 2022

(Medicina di
Laboratorio: ponte trapresente e futuro in
Sanità)The Congress has been an opportunity for discussing importantand current themes. A fundamental aspect of our discipline or theneed to know, interpret, guide all the new opportunities offeredby technological, digital, scientific innovation in an overall andintegrated cultural vision already in the near future. We must build
bridges between us professionals inside and outside the Company,
between the laboratory with the healthcare world and in generalwith citizens and society. If the pandemic has highlighted theextraordinary role of laboratory diagnostics, the need to demonstrateskills to govern innovation in the very complex and constantly
evolving articulation of medicine to produce health emerges evenmore.
The Conference has also included a Session entirely dedicatedto SIBioC. Young Researchers, who have had the opportunity
to present and discuss the results of their research.
The Conference has been an opportunity for improvement andcultural growth for all of us.

EDUCATION EVENTSName of the meeting

Starting fromTo

Event Type

Aggiornamenti in tema di covid-19

05/05/2022

05/05/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

Competenze professionali: vecchi enuovi paradigmi

13/06/2022

13/06/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

Focus on "valore e remunerazione
degli esami di laboratorio: nuovi lea
e tariffe"

26/09/2022

26/09/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

239

Focus on "etica nell'intelligenza
artificiale in medicina di laboratorio"

18/10/2022

18/10/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

Focus on "tra regolamentazione
e necessità cliniche"

24/11/2022

24/11/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

Focus on "ipotiroidismo congenito:
screening neonatale, test
di conferma, diagnosi"

12/12/2022

12/12/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM COLLANA FOCUS
ON SIBIOC

Fare valore in medicina di laboratorio:
28/06/2022
value based healthcare

28/06/2022

WEBINAR NO ECM

Fgf-23 dal laboratorio alla clinica:
un update

10/03/2022

10/03/2022

WEBINAR ECM

Principi per l’implementazione
e la gestione del point-of-caretesting (poct): indicazioni essenziali.
30/03/2022
Un documento da condivideree il ruolo della medicina di laboratorio
nella “nuova normalità”

30/03/2022

WEBINAR ECM

Il sistema renina-angiotensinaaldosterone nell'ipertensione
arteriosa

31/03/2022

31/03/2022

WEBINAR ECM

Il monitoraggio terapeutico delfarmaco: il ruolo del laboratorio
nell’ambito della terapia centrata
sul paziente

05/04/2022

05/04/2022

WEBINAR ECM

Aggiornamenti sulle variabilipreanalitiche in medicina
di laboratorio

31/03/2021

31/03/2022

CORSO FAD

Il ruolo del laboratorio nel
management dei doac: dosaggio
dei farmaci ed interazione
laboratorio-clinica

30/06/2021

29/06/2022

CORSO FAD

Highlights del 52° congresso
nazionale sibioc 2020

30/07/2021

29/07/2022

CORSO FAD

Variabilita' biologica

05/11/2021

04/11/2022

CORSO FAD

Aggiornamenti sulla diagnostica delle
27/11/2021
gammopatie monoclonali

26/11/2022

CORSO FAD

Crioglobulinemia: laboratorio
e clinica, una collaborazione virtuosa
per la corretta gestione di una
patologia rara

12/12/2021

11/12/2022

CORSO FAD

Il ruolo del laboratorio nel
management dei doac: dosaggio
dei farmaci ed interazione
laboratorio-clinica

30/06/2022

31/12/2022

CORSO FAD

La trombocitopenia indotta daeparina e sindromi correlate: aspetti
clinici e laboratoristici

20/07/2022

31/12/2022

CORSO FAD

Aggiornamenti sulle variabilipreanalitiche in medicina
di laboratorio

01/04/2022

31/12/2022

CORSO FAD

Name of the meeting

Starting fromTo

Event Type

Aggiornamenti sulle veq regionali
e sui sistemi di gestione qualità

28/04/2022

28/04/2022

AnconaREGIONAL MEETINGS

240

Big data ed intelligenza artificiale
in medicina di laboratorio

18/05/2022

18/05/2022

Bologna (ibrido online)

36° convegno di medicina
di laboratorio - esami su urine: oltre
l'ecmu26/05/2022

26/05/2022

Vicenza (ibrido online)

Il laboratorio “molecolare”:
tecnologie avanzate a disposizionedella diagnostica in vitro

09/06/2022

09/06/2022

Alessandria

Corso teorico-pratico dispettrometria di massa in medicina
di laboratorio: ivd/ltd - verifica/
validazione metodi - troubleshooting

05/09/2022

07/09/2022

Salerno25° congresso multidisciplinaresibioc abruzzo-molise

15/09/2022

16/09/2022

Chieti

Garantire la qualità della medicina
di laboratorio per garantire
la qualità della sanità di prossimità
in lombardia

27/10/2022

27/10/2022

Milano

The organization of our society is further based on regional delegations, with a delegation foreach Italian region by means of a network of 19 Regional delegates. The Regional delegates meet
constantly with the Executive Board. The aim of the delegations is to promote local scientificinitiatives, including educational activities such as courses, conferences and symposia.
Following the Covid19 pandemic, we have experienced a significant increase in the emerging
and crucial role of web seminars and online continuous education programs, disseminating
professional education training on new analytical technological skills and new diagnostic
strategies in Laboratory Medicine.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Several speakers from all over the world attended the meeting in Genoa in October, and gaveoral presentations and took active parts to Educational Workshops.
Moreover, many of our SIBioC members have held or are currently holding important roles in
EFLM and IFCC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
An important SIBioC project has been the management of the Italian version of labtestonline(www.labtestonline.it). This tool is an essential communication tool with the public, offeringcorrect information, guaranteed by laboratory professionals. Following the AACC’s release ofaccountability as the reference edition, from this year, the Italian website will be managed by
SIBioC. The success of this initiative, proven by over half a million monthly site visits, confirms theboth the opportunity and need for Laboratory Professionals to play a proactive and informative
communication.
Another activity promoted by our society is the, Biochimica Clinica (BC), which is SIBioC’s
official scientific journal. BC publishes 4 quarterly issues, with an additional issue dedicatedto the Proceedings of the National Congress (electronic version only). The other issues areplanned to be dedicated to topics of particular interest, selected by the Editorial Committee. BC
publishes both in Italian and English (official SIBioC documents are published in English) and isindexed in Scopus, EMBASE, and others. Journal content is available to the SIBioC memberswith a number of articles published as open access.

241

JAPAN

JAPAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (JSCC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic
3 Special Lectures:
1. Promoting Innovation by Academia: Guide from Government Policies
2. Function of the idling brain
3. Mathematical Modeling of Complex Systems and its Applications
to Research on Pre-Disease States
3 Educational Lectures:
1. Recent progress in allergy studies
2. The lesson of ’Toyama paradox’ on life-style related disease and themolecular mechanisms of insulin reistance
3. Interdisciplinary collaborative study by clinical chemists

The 62nd Annual
Meeting of the Japan
Society of Clinical
Chemistry

1 International symposium
1. Current status and future perspective of traditional medicines
2022/9/30-10/2

8 Symposia:
1. Hemostasis and coagulation tests: further clinical approaches
2. Detection and approach of abnormal reactions in automatedbiochemistry analyzers
3. Considering Questions in Clinical Chemistry Testing
4. Expansion from pre-disease science to clinical chemistry researchthrough collaboration between mathematical science and life science
5. Pitfall Case Report and Discussion Meeting in Clinical Testing 2022
6. Translational research from pharmaceutical research to clinicalchemistry - discovering drug targets, developing analytical methods,
and verifying its usefulness 7. Clinical tests and device for laboratory, companion and industrial
animals
8. Extracellular vesicles and circulating microRNAs - From Clinic
to Bench

EDUCATION
In all annual meeting of JSCC and regional meetings in Japan, educational lectures on various
clinical chemistry related subjects, such as standardization, analytical methods, and laboratory
related trouble shootings were performed by the specialists of clinical chemistry. In addition,clinical chemistry related companies held various types of symposiums and educational
meetings in all over Japan all the year round.
Educational Lecture for Certified Clinical Chemistry and Immunochemistry Quality Assurance
Medical Technologists and Professions were held in Toyama on Oct 2, 2022.
REGIONAL MEETINGS

242

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

Hokkaido branch: The 32nd branch
general & regular meetingSep 17, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Tohoku branch: The 33rd branch general& regular meetingAug 6, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Kanto branch: The 30th branch general
meeting

Jun 25, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Koshinetsu branch: The 40th branch
general & regular meeting

Jul 9, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Tokai&hokuriku branch: The 32nd branch
general & regular meeting

Oct 12, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Kinki branch: The 31st branch general
meeting

Mar 6, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Chugoku & Shikoku branch: The 32nd
branch general & regular meetingFeb 11, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

Kyusyu branch: The 33rd branch general& regular meeting

Mar 5, 2022

Each branch supervises the meetingof each region

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSSD Committees:• Reference Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests (C-STFT): Akira Hishinuma, Member• Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU) in collaboration with IUPAC: Koh Furuta,
Member
SD Working Groups:• Standardisation of Albumin Assay in Urine in collaboration with NKDEP (WG-SAU):
Yoshihisa Itoh, Member• Immunosuppressive Drugs (WG-ID): S Masuda, Member• Pancreatic Enzymes (WG-PE): Shigeru Ueda, Member• Fecal Immunochemical Testing (WG-FIT): S Takehara (Member), Y Doi, M Fujimura,
T Fukuda, H Hayashi, A Horikawa, S Wu, Y Masuda, Corp. Member
Education Management Division (EMD) Committees:• Education in the Use of Biomarkers in Diabetes (C-EUBD): Asako Sato, Member
Emerging Technologies Division (ETD) Committees:• Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering in Laboratory Medicine (C-MHBLM):
Kazuhiko Kotani, Member
International Journal Editor• Associate Editors for Annals of Clinical Biochemistry: Kazuhiko Kotani
Editorial Board of Clini Chimica Acta:• Nobuo Okumura, Editorial Board• Masato Maekawa, Editorial Board• Takashi Miida, Editorial Board• Minoru Tozuka, Editorial Board• Katsuyuki Nakajima, Editorial Board• Akihiro Inazu, Editorial Board

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
About 2,000 members including MD and PhD belong to JSCC and 9 blocks were divided aseach centre of JSCC.
The annual meeting is held once a year and more than 300 papers are discussed in the meetingand 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.

243

KOREA

KOREAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (KSCC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic
Session 1. The current state of the laboratories withregard to quality management VII
Session 2. Genetic Testing in Clinical Chemistry

The Korean Society of Clinical
Chemistry (KSCC) 2022 Biannual Fall
MeetingNovember 10,
2022

Session 3. Current trends with regard to the
Biomarker II
Session 4. Latest Practice of Protein Electrophoresis
Test
Workshop. Clinical mass spectrometry workshop:
Automation of Mass spectrometry

EDUCATION
Review Course (Online; November 11 - November 27, 2022)• RC1. Clinical chemistry - general overview
1) The financial management of clinical chemistry testing2) Laboratory specialist role is required for the management committee position
3) Statistical quality control
Review Course (Online; November 11 - November 27, 2022)• RC2. Clinical chemistry - special tests
1) Carbohydrate and diabetes test
2) Laboratory diagnosis of the hepatobiliary disease3) Use of diagnostic tests in gastrointestinal and pancreatic disease4) Renal function tests
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

16th APFCB council meeting

26th June 2022

Participating council meeting

24th IFCC & 16th APFCB Congress

26th to 30 June 2022

Hosting the event

INTERNAL RELATION
From June 26 to 30, 2022, the 24th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory
Medicine & the 16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry were held at Coex, Seoul,
Korea. The KSCC collaborated with the IFCC organization and the Asia-Pacific Federation ofClinical Biochemistry to host the event.
From October 28 to 31, 2022, IFCC General Conference 2022. The representative of KSCC
participated the conference.

244

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSThe Officer Bearer of KSCC (2023)
1. President: Yong-Wha Lee
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon
Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, 170 Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu,
Bucheon 14584, Republic of Korea.
e-mail: lywmd@schmc.ac.kr, kscc1111@gmail.com
2. Secretary General: Sollip Kim
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan
Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea.
e-mail: sollip_kim@amc.seoul.kr
3. Treasurer: Sung Eun Cho
Green Cross Laboratories,107, Ihyeonro 30beon-gil, Giheng-gu, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggido, 16924, Republic of Korea. e-mail: secho0824@gmail.com
4. Scientific Affairs Director: Jae-Woo Chung
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang,
Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea.
e-mail: jwchung@dumc.or.kr
5. International Affairs Director: Sang-Guk Lee
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Collegeof Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
e-mail: COMFORTER6@yuhs.ac
6. Secretary: Kyunga Choi
Office address: A-1105, Asterium Seoul, 372 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
04323, Republic of Korea.
e-mail: kscc@kscc.or.kr
7. Official Email of KSCC: kscc1111@gmail.com

LATVIALATVIAN SOCIETY OF LABORATORY MEDICINE (LLSB)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Association meeting

02.03.2022.

HPV laboratory diagnostic

Association meeting

11.05.2022.

News from the company Mindrayin laboratory diagnostics

Association meeting

16.06.2022.

Mapping of laboratory tests using
the Loinc examination classifier

Association meeting

24.11.2022.

Automation in laboratory
diagnostics

INTERNAL RELATIONXVI Baltic Congress in Laboratory Medicine, 22 – 24 September 2022. In Tallin, Estonia

245

LITHUANIALITHUANIAN SOCIETY OF LABORATORYMEDICINE (LLMD)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

14th Annual Conference of the
Lithuanian Society of Laboratory
Medicine (LLMD) (on-line)

28-04-2022

Actualities of strengthening quality
management systems of medicallaboratories

National LLMD Conference (on-line)

05-05-2022

Biomedical diagnostics of 2022:
science and practiceRegional LLMD Conference (hybrid)

27-05-2022

The role of laboratory diagnostics
and treatment during infections
and pandemics. Have all thelessons been learned?

National LLMD Conference

06-09-2022

Trends of laboratory medicine
technologies

National LLMD Conference (hybrid)

12-10-2022

What clinicians should know, andwhat laboratories should perform(dedicated to World Thrombosis
Day)

National LLMD Conference (on-line)

25-11-2022

Laboratory medicine in 2022
– new diagnostic opportunities

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

XVI Baltic Congress of Laboratory
Medicine

22 – 24 September 2022

Co-organizer of the Congress

REGIONAL RELATIONS
Lithuanian Society of Laboratory Medicine (LLMD) is member of Baltic Association of Laboratory
Medicine (BALM). Other 2 members of BALM are: Latvian Society of Laboratory Specialists andEstonian 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(upcoming scheduled for 2022).
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSLLMD is the member of IFCC and EFLM, partner of the Global World Thrombosis Day Movement.

LUXEMBOURGSOCIÉTÉ LUXEMBOURGEOISE DE BIOLOGIE
CLINIQUE (SLBC)NATIONAL MEETINGS

246

Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

General assembly + conference

30.06.2022”Role of rituximab in transfusion
medicine”

Conference

15.12.2022”Famous poisonings from Antiquity
to the present dasy”

MYANMARMYANMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST ASSOCIATION(MMTA)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Myanmar Medical Technologist
Association Executive members'
Meeting

12 May 2022

Development and organizationof Myanmar Medical Technologist
Association

Meeting with Myanmar Medical
Council

21 June 2022

Registration and license
for Medical Technologist
and Technician

Meeting with Myanmar Medical
Council

13 September 2022

Registration and license
for Medical Technologist
and Technician

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting
Asia Association of Medical
Laboratory Scientists (AAMLS)
28 Board of Directors’ Meeting(Virtual Meeting)thAsia Association of Medical
Laboratory Scientists (AAMLS)
29th Board of Directors’ Meeting(Virtual Meeting)

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

11 February 2022

Singapore Association of Medical Laboratory
Scientists (SAMLS)

10 June 2022

Singapore Association of Medical Laboratory
Scientists (SAMLS)

7 October 2033

Korean Association of Medical Technologists(KAMT)

Asia Association of Medical
Laboratory Scientists (AAMLS)
30th Board of Directors’ Meeting
Suwon Convention Center, Suwon,
Korea

REGIONAL RELATIONSParticipating in Asia Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (AAMLS) webinars.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Delegates of Myanmar Medical Technologist Association (MMTA), Mr Win Min Than (VicePresident) and Ms Nang Shwe Yin (Foreign Relation Officer) attended the 35th World Congress ofInternational Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (IFBLS) & 2022 The 60th Congressof the Korean Association of Medical Technologists at Suwon, Korea on October 5-9, 2022.
MMTA delegates attended Virtual meetings of IFBLS, Chief delegates meeting 2022 on 1
October 2022 and General Assembly of Delegates (GAD) 2022 on 8 October 2022.
Organizing the Medical Technologists to participate in International Federation of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and AAMLS webinars.

247

PAKISTANPAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CHEMICALPATHOLOGISTS (PSCP)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

ChemCon, organized by Pakistan
Society of Chemical PathologyKarachi Chapter Under the Auspicesof International Federation of Clinical
Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine

26th-27th November, 2022

Metabolomics: Revolutionzing
Chemical Pathology

PSCP Executive Council Meeting

25th November 2022

National Meeting

Workshop By Indus Hospitaland Health Network,

Friday, 25th November 2022

Workshop on Metabolomics(Closed meeting, by invitation only)

Karachi, Pakistan

EDUCATION• Chemical pathology Conference 2022 at PC Krachi, CME on 25th November 2022 withinternational guests speakers of IFCC
• Short Intensive Training (SIT) Course in Chemical Pathology (PSCP) by many PSCP
faculty and supervisors• Hybrid Seminar ‘Value of POCT’ for PSCP members in Karachi by Roche and Aga Khan
University on 31st March 2022 in Movenpick Hotel, Karachi• Invited lecture: Interleukin 6-a hype or hope? At IFCC-Snibe Conference, Grand Hyatt
Hotel Dubai delivered by Dr Lena Jafri Section Head and Associate Professor Chemical
Pathology Aga Khan University
Pak IMD activities: The working group of PSCP-Pak-IMD-Net formed in 2019 for strengthening
the diagnostics, educationand research in the area of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) is agroup for PSCP members and associate members with special interest in IMDs. With the missionof capacity building of laboratorians to develop diagnostics of newborn screening and IMDs all
members of the Pak-IMD-Net collectively made significant contributions to our mission in 2022.
In Feb 2022 we conducting a CME Seminar Rare Link with following objectives: understandthe clinical utility of newborn screening testing of rare inherited metabolic disorders, describe
the tests for follow up testing of these rare disorders and interpret newborn screening tests andsecond tier tests through case discussions
International Guest Speakers included Dr George Sayhoun Director and Chief Scientific Officer
of Med Labs, Jordan and Dr Samir Munir Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Medicine, Great OrmondStreet Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

APFCB conference South Korea,
Seoul

June 27th, 2022

Prof. Aamir Ijaz from PSCP chaired a sciencificsession

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• Lecture at international level- Invited lecture by Dr Lena Jafri Section Head andAssociate Professor Chemical Pathology Aga Khan University on Workplace-Based

248

Assessment in Chemical Pathology talk in a South African Clinical Chemists SAACB
Expert Seminar Series via Zoom. Oct 2022
• Lena Jafri as PSCP member and IFCC POCT committee corresponding member was
Invited panellist at WHO Meeting in Vevey Switzerland: To Review Technical consultation
on WHO prequalification requirements for Blood Glucose meters and HbA1c POC
assays; 8-10 Nov 2022
• International Federation Clinical Chemistry World Lab Seoul attended by 4 PSCP
members (2 scholarships)• PSCP celebrated IFCC 70th anniversary and dedicated the title page of society
NEWSLETTER SPECTRUM for IFCCPALESTINEPALESTINIAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
ASOCIATION (PMTA)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

General Conference Meeting

25th, March, 2022

General Assembly Meeting

PMTA Social Solidarity Fund Meeting

24th, June, 2022

Yearly meeting of the asembly members of
the Social solidarity fund.

Laboratory Services Pricing
Committee

11th, August, 2022

Pricing all the lab.services

Private Labs. Committee

25th, August, 2022

New regulations for Private labs. Licensure.

QC Committee

16th,October, 2022

EQAS and ISO 15198 Accreditation

EDUCATION
Lecture Name

Lecturer

Date

Lab. Diagnosis of Haemophilia

Mahmood Sroor

25-3-2022

Hb Electrophoresis Interpretation

Ibraheem Alsalhi

25-3-2022

Time management

Sylvia Jawabrah

12-6-2022

Management of Hepatisi B

Sylvia Jawabrah

12-6-2022

Diagnosis of Autoimmune Diseases

Mohamad Alqadi

26-8-2022

Thalassemia Diagnostic Approach

Ayman Najjar

26-10-2022

Antimicrobial Agents: Classifications and General Considerations

Itaf Hadiah

25-11-2022

Emergence and spread of Resistant Baceria in Palestine

Mousa Hindyah

25-11-2022

Multidrug Resistant Enerobaceria From ESBL to CRE

Mamoun Ibeidiah

25-11-2022

Lab. Medicine in Palestine: Reality and Chalenges

Osama Najjar

23-12-2022

Ab testing for Viral Infections

Robin Abu Ghazalah

23-12-2022

Clinical Bioinformatics and Genomics

Mahmoud Ruziqat

23-12-2022

249

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

COVID-19 National Epidemiology
Committee

2022

Policy for PCR tests.
Policy for Rapid Ag test.
Monitoring COVID-19 Labs.

ISO 15189 Accreditation Unit in the
Ministry of Economics

All the year

Lab. Reagents and instruments registration
Unit in the Ministry of Health.

All the year

Lab. Licensure in ministry of HealthAll the year

Continuing Education department in
Ministry of Health.

All the year

National Medical Research department in
the Palestinian Universities

All the year

REGIONAL RELATIONSMember of the AFCB.
PMTA president is the Past president of the AFCB.
PMTA is a member in the following:• SO 15189 Accreditation Unit in the Ministry of Economics.
• Lab. Reagents and instruments registration Unit in the Ministry of Health.
• Lab. Licensure in ministry of Health.
• Continuing Education department in Ministry of Health.
• National Medical Research department in the Palestinian Universities.
• Palestinian Allied Health Profession Associations.
• General Safety Committee in each Governorate.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSMember in the IFCC.
More than 3000 participation from our members in the IFCC live webinars.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Since 2010 we establish the Palestinian National Laboratory Professionals week to raise theawareness of the vital role of the lab. in the health cycle. In this week (from 24th April – 1st ofMay) we do more than 100 activity in all our 11 subcommittees in Palestine. The final day 1st of
May which is also the International Labour day we make a festival for our members and theirfamilies.

PARAGUAY

ASOCIACIÓN DE BIOQUÍMICOS DEL PARAGUAY (ABP)
NATIONAL MEETINGS

250

Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

Meeting at the MSPyBS with the Vice
Minister of Comprehensive HealthCare, Dr. Hernán Martínez

March 9/2022

Carrying out rapid tests for the detectionof SARS-CoV-2

Meeting at the Central Public Health
Laboratory for the reviw of the Manualof good practices

March
18/2022

Dr. Laura Mujica and Bioq. Verónica Baruja were
nominated as reviewers of the manual
as representatives of the ABPExtraordinary General Assemblyof the Association of Biochemistsof Paraguay

April 30/2022

Presentation of reports and balance of the 2021
financial year.

Extraordinary General Assemblyof the Association of Biochemistsof Paraguay

May 28/2022
June 11/2022
July 8/2022

General reform of the ABP Bylaws

Meeting with Biochemical Scientific
Societies

July 21/2022

ocialization of Resolution S.G. Nº 307
on the requirements for registration and authorizationof specialist titles for health professionals.

November 14/2022

Request the participation of ABP representatives
as evaluators within the framework of Resolution S.G.
Nº 466/2020 “WHICH APPROVES THE REGULATIONFOR THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPETENCES
FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH DEGREESOBTAINED ABROAD, FOR ACCESS TO THE
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE MINISTRY
OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE”

Meeting with the National Institute of
HealthEDUCATION• Microbiota Virtual Course, June 24 and 25/2022• Speakers: Dr. Marcelo Arango and Dr. Pablo Peña
• Continuing Education Conference: Quality Management in Clinical Laboratories, July 29
and 30/2022• Speakers: Lic. Quim Marta Torres (ARG), Dr. Sergio Tinoco (MEX), Dr. Natalia Rossaro(ARG), Dr. Gabriel Migliarino (ARG) and Dr. Alba Garzon (COL)• Workshop: Keys to write and publish a scientific article and not die trying, July 27/2022• Speaker: Susana Segura Muñoz (CR/BRA)• Virtual Conversation: “What do editors pay attention to?”, September 7/2022• Speakers: Dr. Miriam Espínola de Canata, Dr. Margarita Samudio, Nélida Blanca Soria
Rey and Dr. Angélica Leguizamón
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Ordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Latin American
Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry

May 20/2022(Zoom)

Meeting about the PEEC-PNCQ program

September
22/2022(Zoom)

Society’s contribution
for the meeting

REGIONAL RELATIONS• Ordinary General Assembly that took place during the development of the XXV LATIN
AMERICAN CONGRESS OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY in the city of León
- Guanajuato, Mexico, on April 1, 2022
• Participation of the President of ABP: Dr. Mercedes Álvarez in the• XXV Congress COLABIOCLI 2022, León Guanajuato -Mexico from March 30 to April 2,
2022. Participant: Dr. Mercedes Álvarez.
• IFCC travel grants designated to allow young scientists from selected countries to attend
the XXV COLABIOCLI Congress 2022, León-Mexico from March 30 to April 2, 2022.
• Grantee: Bioq. Verónica Baruja and the Bioq. Sarah Benegas.
• Course on Strategic Planning in Laboratories and Leadership of Young Professionals”.

251

•

•

•

•

•

•

Participants: Bioq. Delia María José Isasi and Bioq. Pamela Palmerola Benitez. Date:
June 27 to August 8/2022
Virtual Seminar: The laboratory in monitoring the main cause of death worldwide,
Speakers: QF. BC. Ana Lena, Dr. Clarisa Da Costa, Dr. Mónica Molinas, Moderator:
BQ. Johanna Gimenez. Date: August 2 / 2022
2022 Colabiocli Management Scholarship awarded for an internship at the INEI-ANLISNational Brucellosis Laboratory Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, scholarship holder: Bioq. Silvana
Benitez Cataldi.
“Course on Quality Management and good laboratory practices to strengthen Virologicaland Genomic Surveillance of Covid-19”. Participants: Bioq. Andrea Stefanía Gómez andFátima Raquel Fleitas, Date: August 1 to September 22/2022.
Virtual Course: “Production of blood components in transfusion medicine”. Participants:
Bioq. Carmen Volkart, Bioq. Irene Iliou, Bioq. Soledad Iriarte and Bioq. Nathalia
Lezcano, Date: September 6 to October 28, 2022.
“Seminars for Academic Units Training Biochemists or equivalent titles in Latin America
and the Caribbean”, Participant: Bioq. Pamela Mancuello. Date: November 24 and 25,
2022 in Villa Carlos Paz – Córdoba province – Argentine Republic.
1st Latin American Conference of young clinical laboratory professionals , participationof the representative of the Bioq Young Professionals Working Group. Johanna
Giménez, date: December 9 and 10/2022 in Cochabamba – Bolivia.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Report: Prof. Dra. María Montserrat Blanes González
Member of the Congress and Conference Committee C CC
Member of the Working Group Iberoamerican Nomenclature and Translation• Activities as a member of the C CC Congress and Conference Committee, IFCC
- Face-to-face meeting:
1 - XXV International IFCC Congress Seoul Korea June 2022
2 - IFCC General Conference. Brussels Belgium 29 to 31 October 2022
• Member of the COC Central Organization Committee. XXII Euromedlab IFCC EFLM
Congress Munich 2022.
- Participation in the face-to-face meeting called by the IFCC Executive Committee- Attendance as a Participant• Activities as a member of WG IANT
A - Speaker in the framework of the XXVIII Congress of SANAC Andalusian Society ofClinical Analysis. CLINICAL LABORATORY AND POCT. Spain Seville March 2022.
Topics: Experience in the development of the WG IANT CPD IFCC years 2008 to 2021.
Latin American consultation report on the training of graduates in biochemistry andequivalent titles 2019-2021
B.- Attendance at WG IANT meetings
1.- XXV COLABIOCLI Congress León Guanajuato Mexico April 2022
2. - XXV International IFCC Congress. Seoul Korea June 2022
3. - IFCC General Conference. Brussels Belgium 29 to 31 October 2022.

252

• Speaker of the VPL Visitor Lecturer Program of IFCC
1 - XV National Congress of the College of Clinical Laboratorians of Panama October
13 to 15 2022. Plenary Lectures: Standardization of hormones, technical problems that
influence clinical interpretation. Audit of Standard 15189. Future prospects in tumor
markers.
2.- XX National Congress of the Dominican College of Bioanalysts. Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic November 30 to December 3. Plenary conference The Syndemic
in the world Epidemiological context of Cancer. Lecturer of the Intra-congress Course:
Laboratory update in oncology. Management of clinical guidelines. Dominican RepublicSanto Domingo November 30 to December 3• IFCC General Conference. Brussels Belgium 29 to 31 October 2022.
Assistance as delegate• Webinars Organized by IFCC. Participation in 9 (nine)
Prof. Dra. Graciela Russomando
Member of the Clinical Molecular Biology Committee Curriculum (C-CMBC) period (2021-2023)
IFCC
Johanna Isabel Giménez Palacio
Member of the COLABIOCLI Group of Young Scientists

RUSSIAASSOCIATION OF LABORATORY SPECIALISTSAND ORGANIZATIONS “FEDERATION OF LABORATORYMEDICINE” (FLM)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

XXVII All-Russian Scientificand Practical Conference ”ClinicalLaboratory: contribution to the fightagainst the pandemic”

Date

Topic
The central issue of the conference is laboratory
support for diagnosis, assessment of treatment
efficacy, prevention of COVID-19 coronavirus
infection.

April 4-6

Important topics of the conference are clinicalbiochemistry, hematology, immunology, cytology,
general clinical tests, molecular diagnostics,
hemostasis, digitalization of laboratory tests,
and to highlight technological breakthroughsin microbiology, genetics, drug monitoring and otherrelated disciplines.

253

• Biomarkers on the way to personalized medicine
within the framework of clinical guidelines•”Visualization” of blood cells and their derivatives
in a modern laboratory - from flow cytometry toelectron microscopy• Diagnosis of emergency conditions and clinicalrecommendations• Obstetrics and gynecology - new solutionsin the diagnosis of pregnancy complications
4th Clinical and Laboratory Forum ofLaboratory Medicine Specialists

June 23-24• Endocrinology - evolution of clinicalrecommendations• Postcovid homeostasis disorders• Neurology and Cardiology at the crossroadsof opinions• Research at the place of treatment in the outpatient
clinic and hospital• Domestic laboratory equipment and test systems realities and prospects• Nomenclature of medical services - lessonsof discussion of regulatory legal acts
• Educational projects in laboratory medicine

VIII Russian Congress of Laboratory
Medicine and Russian Diagnostic
Summit, Moscow

September
6-8

Scientific and educational program of the Congress
is built around the most topical issues of laboratory
medicine. The Congress will include both traditional
specialized forums, such as ”Sepsis Day”,”Personalized Medicine”, ”Molecular Diagnostics”,”Clinical Cytology” Preanalytics Forum, ”Economics
and Organization of Diagnostic Services”, and new
Forums to cover rapidly developing areas: ”Artificial
Intelligence in Medicine”, ”Point of Care Testing”,”COVID-19”. Thematic sections of clinical andlaboratory orientation are being prepared: hematology,
oncology, infectious diseases, dermatovenerology,
parasitic diseases, bacteriology.

Interdepartmental cooperation inlaboratory diagnostics

December
15-16

Сlinical laboratory diagnostics, bacteriology,
virology, laboratory genetics, medical biochemistry,
medical biophysics, medical cybernetics, medical
microbiology

EDUCATION
All meetings under the auspices of Federation of Laboratory Medicine (FLM) accredited by the
Coordination Council for the Development of Continuing Medical and Pharmaceutical Educationof the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
Taking part in national conferences allows to get from 3 to 18 CME for laboratory specialists inthe field of clinical laboratory, bacteriology and healthcare organization.
REGIONAL MEETINGS

254

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting"Issues of oncology: immunochemicalmarkers and hematological parametersin the diagnosis of oncologicaldiseases"

March 11

Partial organization of the meeting

Volga Regional Forum

April 20

Full organization of the meetingRound table of cytologists. Online

May 19Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

May 19Full organization of the meeting"The modern role of cardiomarkers
in the management of patients withcardiovascular diseases"

May 31

Partial organization of the meeting

Round table on of cytologists. Online

June 16

Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

June 16

Full organization of the meeting

Moshkin's workshop. Seminar "Whatshould the head of the clinic laboratory
know about the analytical quality ofquantitative laboratory research?"

June 22

Full organization of the meeting

Seminar "What should the head of
the clinical laboratory know about
the analytical quality of quantitativelaboratory tests?"

September 15

Full organization of the meeting

Round table on of cytologists. Online

September 15

Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

September 15

Full organization of the meeting

Round table on of cytologists. Online

October 20

Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

October 20

Full organization of the meeting

Webinar "Requirements of GOST R
ISO 15189-2015 for the quality andcompetence of the medical laboratory”

October 21

Partial organization of the meeting

Webinar "Diagnostics of bloodstream
infections: modern solutions and theirclinical effectiveness"

November 9

Partial organization of the meeting

Round table on of cytologists. Online

November 17

Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

November 17

Full organization of the meeting

Quality management system in a
medical laboratory based on therequirements of GOST R ISO 15189 2015 (ISO 15189:2012)

November 20

Partial organization of the meeting

Round table on of cytologists. Online

December 15

Full organization of the meeting

School of Clinical Cytologist. Online

December 15

Full organization of the meeting

SAUDI ARABIASAUDI SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (SSCC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

4 International Meeting in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratotory Medicine & 8th
Annual Meeting Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry, Saudi Arabia (virtual
meeting)

6th Nov. – 8th Dec. 2022th

Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry held many activities during the year of 2022. Some activities were held online and others were held as hybrid. Activities were including workshops, webinars, conferences seminars, awareness and booth participation in different exhibitions. The
main national meetings held by the SSCC in 2022 are summarized in the table below.
The 8th Annual conference was held as hybrid meeting from 6th to 8th December 2022 in Riyadh. A pre conference workshop was held on 6th December 2022 covering the topics on
Toxicology Workplace Drug Testing and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT).
255

The keynote speakers for the conference was Prof. Khosrow Adeli, president of the IFCC. Other
internatinonal guest speakers were invited; Prof. abderrazek hedhili, ex-president of the AFCB
and Prof Kenneth Andrew Sikaris, Director of Chemical Pathology, Australia. Dr. Laila abdelwareth, Acting Executive Director National Reference Lab/Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE,
Dr. Manal Al kindi, Chemical Pathologist, Oman Medical Speciality Board Royal Hospital, Dr.
Nafila Alriyami, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and other known national speakers.
The conference was accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties for 15 CMEs
with more than 500 delegates attended the meeting. The Scientific Program included 10 sessions with more than 35 speakers, 40 posters and 40 presentations. The speakers were international (Australia, Canada, UAE, Oman), regional and national.
This scientific program included sessions about laboratory management, research, and theneed to know the potential and limitation of laboratory biomarkers of diseases and its application in clinical practice. The sessions also covered the importance of prenalytical phase in the
different areas of the laboratory and the common interferences in laboratory tests.
The Industry Workshop session provided by the collaborators presented the topics on the useof biomarkers, renal disease management, new generation lab automation, point of care testing
and toxicology.
The exhibition court included booths for different collaborators namely Roche, Siemens, Snibe,
Abbott, Abdulla-Fouad (Sebia), Beckman, Waters, Binding Site, and Randox.
By the end of the meeting there was Poster Session Awards Announcement with more than 40
posters printed, and 5 prizes for best 5 posters.
Summary of the main national meetings held by the SSCC in 2022:

256

ACTIVITY

PLACE

TYPE

DATE

CME

General Concept of Safety in Medical Laboratories

OnlineWorkshop

Jan 08,2022

3 Hrs.

Hemostasis Seminar

OnlineWebinarJan 31,2022

2 Hrs.

Series Laboratory Biomarkers of Diseases GrowthHormone Disorders

OnlineWorkshopFeb 15,2022

2 Hrs.

Culture Free Sepsis Diagnosis

OnlineWebinarFeb 22,2022

2 Hrs.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Congress

VirtualConference

20-22 Feb 2022

24 Hrs.

The Role of SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen POCT
Test During the Pandemic

OnlineWorkshopMar 28,2022----

Laboratory Day Accreditation

OnlineSeminarMar 31,2022

8 Hrs.

Innovations and Advancements in Point-Of-Care
Blood Gas Testing

OnlineWebinarApril 07,2022

2 Hrs.

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

AlkhobarMay 25,2022

2 Hrs

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

Almedina

May 28,2022

2 Hrs

Immunoassay Workshop

JeddahWorkshop

May 30,2022

4 Hrs.

WorkshopJune 01,2022

2 Hrs

June 02,2022

2 Hrs.

Immunoassay Workshop

Abha

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

RiyadhThe Role of SARS-Cov-2 Rapid Antigen POCT
Testing During the Pandemic

OnlineWebinarJune 07,2022

2 Hrs.

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

QassimWorkshop

Aug 8,2022

2 Hrs.

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

Hail

Workshop

Aug 11,2022

2 Hrs.

ACTIVITY

PLACE

TYPE

DATE

CME

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

Tabuk

Workshop

Aug 13,2022

2 Hrs.

Forensic Evidence in Criminal Investigation

JeddahWorkshop

Aug 23,2022

3 Hrs.

Analyzation of hormonal profile in investigation of
female infertility and diagnosis of thyroid

Al-JoufWorkshop

Aug 30,2022

2 Hrs.

Analyzation of hormonal profile in investigation of
female infertility and diagnosis of thyroid

NajranWorkshop

Sep 06,2022

2 Hrs.

Analyzation of hormonal profile in investigation of
female infertility and diagnosis of thyroid

Jazan

Workshop

Sep 08,2022

2 Hrs.

The Controversy over Different HbA1c as
Measured by Different Techniques

OnlineWorkshop

Oct 5,2022

2 Hrs.

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

Almedina

Workshop

Oct 19,2022

2 Hrs.

Utilization of Testosterone Hormone and Herpes
Simplex Virus

Abha

Workshop

Oct 26,2022

2 Hrs.

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Workshop

RiyadhWorkshop

Nov 10,2022

4 Hrs.

Plasma Proteins Science Day 2022

OnlineWebinarNov 10,2022

4 International Meeting in Clinical Chemistry &Laboratory Medicine & SSCC 8th Annual Meeting

RiyadhHybridconference

Dec 6-8,2022

15 Hrs.

1st Low Carb Society Workshop

JeddahWorkshopDec 10,2022

6 Hrs.

Hormone and Immunoassay Workshop

Dubai

WorkshopDec 11,2022

5 Hrs.

thTotal

84 Hrs.

EDUCATION• Other free educational activities including SSCC journal, awareness, awareness days,
webinars and booth participation were held throughout 2022 and focused on different
topics as follow:
AWARENESS ACTIVITY (IN ARABIC)
1

2

3

4

‫ةيثارولا ضارمالا نم دحلاو ةيبطلا تاربتخملا ةيمها‬The role of clin. lab in limiting hereditary disorders‫ناضمر مايصو يركسلا‬Fasting Ramadan and Diabetes‫هيلع ظفاحو كبلق فرعا‬How to keep your heart safe
‫ ةيفاعلا لافتحا‬, ‫ينطولا مويلا عم ًانمازت يويح عمتجم‬‫يدوعسلا‬

PLACE

Type

DATE

OnlineAwareness

Feb 28,2022

OnlineAwareness

April 16,2022

OnlineAwareness

Sep19,2022

OnlineAwareness

Sep 22,2022

OnlineAwareness

Sep 26,2022

OnlineAwareness

Oct 12,2022

OnlineAwareness

Nov 15,2022

Comunity Health in the National Day
567‫ةدالولا يثيدحل ركبملا صحفلا‬Newborn screening awareness‫وتيكلا ماظنل ةيناثلا ةودنلا ةلماكتم ةيحص ةايح‬Healthy life with Keto Diet‫ركسلل يملاعلا مويلا عم ًانمازت لافطألاو يركسلا ضرم‬Diabetes in Children (International Day of Diabetes)

257

AWARENESS ACTIVITY (IN ARABIC)

PLACE

Type

DATE

JeddahAwareness

Dec 10,2022

BOOTH EXHIBITION

PLACE

Type

DATE

1

Medlab Middle East

Dubai

Booth

24-27 Jan 2022

2

Lab international Day

AlbahaBooth

Mar 09,20228‫كتيفاع كؤاذغ ةيوعوت لمع ةشرو‬Your Diet is your Health

JOURNALS ISSUED

DATE

1

Journal of SSCC issue 1

March 2022

2

Journal of SSCC issue 2

June 2022

3

Journal of SSCC issue 3

Sep,2022

4

Journal of SSCC issue 4

Dec ,2022

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

MedLab Dubai

Jan 24-27, 2022

• Speakers from SSCC participated in the Scientific
Sessions of Med Lab 2022, Dubai.
•”Booth exhibition by BoothREGIONAL RELATIONS• 1st March 2021 the SSCC joined the Arab Federation Clinical Biology (AFCB) and has
become part of the one of the regional federation of the IFCC. This will support thesociety to share common goals for education of laboratory medicine with the AFCB.
• The Tunisian Society of Clinical Biology (STBC), invited the SSCC to attend the XXXVthNational Days of Clinical Biology (JNBC 2022) which was held in Hammamet-Tunisia
from May 26th to May 28th, 2022. The SSCC was represented by Dr Anwar Borai.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• SSCC participated with a lecture 2nd EFLM –AFCB conference – February 18-20, 2022,
Laboratory Medicine for Mobile Societies, (Crete, Greece). The speaker was Dr Ali Al
Odaib “Overview of the National Newborn Screening Program in Saudi Arabia”.
• SSCC application in Feb 28 2022 to the IFCC to host the WorldLab 2024 in Dubai was
accepted. Therefore, the SSCC will be the hosting society. The following link can be used
for the event: https://dubai2024.org/

258

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Photos from different events throughout 2022
The 8th Annual meeting for the SSCC held on 6th to 8th December 2022:

259

Report & prepared byAnwar Borai, PhD, FAACC
SSCC representative to the IFCCSERBIA

SOCIETY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTS OF SERBIA (DMBS)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Serbian Congres of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine & 16th Belgrade
Symposium for Balkan region: ”Laboratory Medicine Management: Leadershiš Skils
for Effective Laboratory”

September 12-14,
2022, Belgrade,

After the postponement of two years, caused by the global pandemic, on 12–14th September
2022, the Serbian Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia (SMBS) had the pleasure to organize
the 22nd Serbian Congress of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine with international
participation together with the 16th Belgrade Symposium for Balkan Region. The meetings wereorganized together with the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, and under the auspicesof IFCC, EFLM, Balkan Clinical Laboratory Federation (BCLF), Ministry of Education, Science, andTechnological Development, and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia.
We had the pleasure to welcome Prof. Mario Plebani, President-Elect of EFLM, who greeted theaudience on behalf of EFLM President and the Executive Board. His presence was enabled by
the EFLM program »Invite an EFLM Executive Board Representative at your National Congress«.
SMBS was very happy to host Prof. Plebani and is thankful to the EFLM for supporting our national congress in this way. Suzana Savić, Fuculty Vice-Dean greeted the Congress audience andProf. Branislava Miljković, SUFUS president on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Society of Serbia.
Prof. Plebani opened the Congress with the remarkable plenary lecture »Laboratory medicine in
the era of COVID-19: lessons for the future«.
260

After the plenary lectures, the Award of the Foundation »Magistra Milica Marković« was presented. The Foundation recognizes and awards medical biochemists or laboratories for promoting the technological and organizational work principles of clinical laboratories, improving
the quality of laboratory services, and for promoting the profession. This year’s laureate werethe »Aqualab« laboratories.
The 16th Belgrade Symposium for Balkan region drew a lot of attention from colleagues from theneighboring countries. This Symposium continued the fourteen years long tradition of EFLM
Symposiums for Balkan Region. In 2019 it was renamed to Belgrade Symposium for Balkan Region, when the pandemic postponed the consecutive one for two years. The first session wasdedicated to the professional challenges in the era of innovational technologies. The speakers
in this session were Gilbert Wieringa, Wytze Oosterhuis and Snežana Jovičić. In his talk entitled »Meeting the leadership challenge of disruptive innovation«, Gilbert Wieringa indicatedthe emerging leadership challenges for specialists in laboratory medicine as the consequenceof the 21st century artificial intelligence driven algorithms that are reducing the need for expert
human resource. Wytze Oosterhuis presented the added value by interpretative commenting,as one of the activities that can support physicians and help to improve patient treatment outcomes, reflective testing, but also the challenges it is facing.
Between the sessions the promotion of two monographs, recently published by the SMBS,
took place. One was »Scientific Foundation »Professor Ivan Berkeš«, dedicated to the life andwork of the esteemed Professor Ivan Berkeš, to the review of the previous scientific conferences organized to honor his legacy, also to the Foundation »Professor Ivan Berkeš«, and to
the laureates of its annual award. All 48 laureates that received this award from 1998 to thisday were invited and they received their copy of the book. The other monograph presented
was »Professional Activities of Serbian Laboratory Medicine Specialists in Balkan Region«,dedicated to the history of Balkan Clinical Laboratory Federation and the role of SMBS as oneof the founders and its spiritus movens. Both books were authored by Prof. Nada Majkić Singhand Prof. Snežana Jovičić.
During these three days Belgrade hosted almost 300 participants from Serbia and neighboring
countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro). The Congress passedin the spirit of exchanging experience, vivid discussions during the lectures, but also at theposter session, showing how much the in-presence meetings and events were missed during
the previous pandemic years. We all hope that these days are behind us.

Opening XXIII Serbian Congress & 16th Belgrade Symposiumfor Balkan Region.

Professor Mario Plebani welcome address to the participants
on behalf of the EFLM.

261

THE TWENTY THIRD ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE »PROFESSOR IVAN BERKEŠ«AND REPORT ON AWARDS SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION CEREMONY
IN 2020. AND 2021. YEARSThe Twenty Third Annual Scientific Conference »Professor Ivan Berkeš« was co-organized andhosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade. It gathered over 200 participants –students, older colleagues who were the students of Professor Berkeš, young graduated medical biochemists, and teachers of the Faculty of Pharmacy. Traditional guests were the family
members of Professor Berkeš – this year Ivan Berkeš, his grandson. This traditional meeting ofstudents and Professors of the Faculty of Pharmacy, honoring the legacy of one of its most distinguished professors was held on 15. December 2022. Prof. Dr. Nada Majkić-Singh, traditionallythe organizer, with her opening words greeted the participants and reminded us of the history, theidea of foundation, and the significance of the Conference, as well as of the life and work of theProfessor Ivan Berkeš, whom it honors.
In 2020, the Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia marked the 110th anniversary of the birthof Professor Ivan Berkeš, on which occasion the Monograph-LIFE AND WORK OF PROFESSORIVAN BERKEŠ and FOUNDATION LAUREATES were prepared: WHERE ARE THEY AND WHATARE THEY DOING TODAY? (Authors: Nada Majkić-Singh and Snežana Jovičić). This Monographhas been presented during XXIII Serbian Congress of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory
Medicine in September 2022, and during this Scientific Conference the short review has beenpresented.This year’s recipients were: Đorđe Stanivuk (Master of Pharmacy-Medical Biochemist)
and Jovana Živanović (Master of Pharmacy)
EDUCATION
1. Quality Indicators: pre-preanalytical and pre-analytical phases of laboratory diagnostic
investigation
2. Laboratory Management
3. Novelties in Laboratory Medicine
4. QM development and application in accredited laboratory
5. Laboratory safety
6. Validation of the Laboratrory Methods
7. Laboratory Medicine Environmental Health and Safety
17th Conference of the Scientific and Technical Committee - Accredited laboratories
In front of the Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia (SMBS), the Conference of the Scientificand Technical Committee - Accredited Laboratories was successfully held for the 17th time thisyear. This Conference is traditionally held within the framework of the International Convention
on Quality organized by the Unified Association for Quality of Serbia (JUSK-ICQ). The National
Symposium was held on June 10, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., via the online Cisco webex
platform. Chairing this conference in front of SMBS were Professor Dr. Nada Majkić-Singh, Assistant Professor Dr. Neda Milinković, EuSpLM (Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy) and Dr. sci. Iva Perović Blagojević, EuSpLM (Service forlaboratory diagnostics, Clinical Hospital Center “Dr. Dragiša Mišović-Dedinje”, Belgrade). Attendees had the opportunity to participate interactively and hear the latest information related
to quality in routine medical biochemical laboratories. After each lecture, the attendees could
check their knowledge and solve a test with questions related to the content of the previous
lecture. The content of the presentations, presentation of lectures and lecturers were rated withthe maximum score of excellent (5).

262

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting
Cooperation with all Societies from Balkan region, members of Balkan
Clinical Laboratory Federation (BCLF) (see www.bclf.info)

XXIX BCLF Meeting

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSParticipations in Meetings organised by IFCC and EFLM:
Dr Snežana Jovičić
Corresponding Member PFLM-WG:
Zorica Šumarac, corresponding member of the EFLM WG-PRE
Activities in 2022: Participation in projects of the EFLM WG-PRE:
1. Venous Blood Sampling Guideline
2. Catheter sampling
3. Diagnostics pathway/Demand management
4. Awareness Campaign
5. Unsuitable Specimens
6. Management of Haemolysed Specimens – practical recommendation
7. Haemolysis in blood tubes for glucose
8. Manufacturer declarations
9. Citrate tubes
10. Stability project
EFLM Task Group for Syllabus Course
IFCC LEPS, laboratory errors and patent safety.
Activity of Corresponding members in 2022:
WG: Postanalytical
Phase (WG-POST)

Svetlana

IGNJATOVIC

Corresponding
MemberSerbia

3rd term: 2017-2018

WG: Preanalytical Phase Zorica(WG-PRE)SUMARAC

Fulll Member

Serbia

3rd term: 2017-2018

WG: Accreditation and
ISO/CEN standards(WG-A/ISO)

Neda

Milinković

Corresponding
MemberSerbia

3rd term 2017-2018

WG: Register (WG-R)

Snezana

JOVICIC

Corresponding
MemberSerbia

1st term: 2017-2018

Jelena Munjas: Corresponding Member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine IFFCC Task Force for Young Scientists
Svetlana Ignjatović: Corresponding Member of EFLM WG-POST.
Neda Milinković: Corresponding member of EFLM WG Accreditation and ISO/CEN Standards
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia published international JOURNAL OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY, the Official Journal of the Society, in which many scientists from region
published own papers www.dmbj.org.rs/jmb; SCIndex https://scindeks.ceon.rs/journaldetails.
aspx?issn=1452-8258&lang=en263

SLOVAK REPUBLICSLOVAK SOCIETY OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY (SSKB)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic
• Basic principles and practical aspects of
POC testing in primary healthcare (invited
speakers)• COVID-19

XIV. SSCB Congress with international
participation under the auspices of
the European Federation of Clinical
Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

October 9-11, 2022
Demänovská Dolina• Changes into act no. 362/2011 coll. in
connection with the implementation of theregulation (EU) 2017/746 of the European
Parliament and the council (IVDR)• Nutrition• Hepatology• History of clinical biochemistry in the Slovak
Republic• Posters

EDUCATION• SSCB EB promoted and popularized a campaign for education and training
opportunities available to laboratory professionals via EFLM Academy 2022 (16 SSCB
members became EFLM Academy 2022 members, 2 titled EuSpLM)• SSCB EB published a new design and extended a scope SSCB website www.sskb.sk• Published Instructions for the registration procedure of the Slovak laboratory
professionals in the EFLM Register of Specialists in Laboratory Medicine (EuSpLM)
European specialist in laboratory medicine. Laboratórna diagnostika, XXVII(1/2022),
27-38 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6457215

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• The EFLM Newsletter n. 4/2022, p.9 – 12, Section “Cofee time with the EFLM
President” Jan Balla, National Representative, Slovak Society of Clinical Biochemistry,
https://www.eflm.eu/upload/docs/2022-Jul-Aug-EuroLabNews.pdf• The EFLM Newsletter n. 5/2022, p.5 Honorary Membership awarded to Prof. Tomris
Ozben on the occasion of the SSCB Congress, Slovakia, October 2022
https://www.eflm.eu/upload/docs/2022-Sep-Oct-EuroLabNews.pdf• The EFLM Newsletter n. 6/2022, p.25 – 29 News from Slovak Society of Clinical
Biochemistry (SSCB) XIV SSCB Congress Celebrating its 30th anniversary as anindependent organization
https://www.eflm.eu/upload/docs/2022-Nov-Dec-EuroLabNews.pdf• Several SSCB members of EFLM and IFCC Units 2 SSCB members in 1 EFLM Task
Force 4 SSCB members in 5 IFCC Committees 1 SSCB member on the Editorial boardof the Electronic Journal of IFCC – eJIFCC

264

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• SSCB AWARDS 2020 - 2022
- “Professor Ivan Pecháň Price Award 2022”, Laureate Pavel blažíček, Associate
Professor- SSCB Honorary Membership - Professor Tomris Ozben, Professor Sverre Sandberg,- Professor Antonin Jabor- Silver Medal Propter Merita - 4 members- Bronze Medal Propter Merita - 4 members- Letter of Appreciation - 9 members• Two extended issues of the SSCB periodical professional journal “LABORATORYDIAGNOSTICS”
https://www.sskb.sk/2022/literatura/casopisy-sskb/laboratorna-diagnostika-archiv/• Regular twice-a-year publications in the journal “MONITOR OF MEDICINE SkMA”
https://sls.sk/web/monitor-mediciny-sls-2022/• POCT survey conducted in cooperation with GPs in primary care
• Regular online and face-to-face meetings of the SSCB organized once a month

SLOVENIASLOVENIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICALCHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE (SZKKLM)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Personalised Laboratory Medicine

10. 3. 2022

Personalised Laboratory Medicine

New Approaches and Topics inLaboratory Medicine

2. 6. 2022

Hematology laboratory diagnostics, Diagnostics
of TBC, Diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases

Hemostasis

6. 12. 2022

Hemostasis

EDUCATION
1. Hemolysis (May 2022)
2. Anemias (May 2022)
3. Point of care testing – POCT (May 2022)
4. Contemporary approaches to urinalysis (June 2022)
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

6 Slovenian Congressof Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine withinternational participation

19. - 20. 10. 2022

Organizer(www.szkklmkongres.si/2022/en)

th

265

REGIONAL RELATIONS
1. EFLM National Representative: Lidija Gobec
2. EFLM Profession Committee: Evgenija Homšak - president
3. EFLM WG Distance Education and e-learning: Darko Černe - expert member
4. EFLM WG Congresses and Postgraduate Education: Evgenija Homšak - expert member
5. EFLM WG Accreditation and ISO/CEN Standards: Pika Meško Brguljan - full member
6. EFLM WG for Register: Greta Štrakl - corresponding member
7. EFLM WG Laboratory Medicine Credit Points: Mojca Božič Mijovski - full member
8. EFLM WG Postanalytical Phase: Alenka Trampuš Bakija - corresponding member
9. EFLM WG Test Evaluation: Janja Marc - full member
10. EFLM WG Autoimmunity Testing: Manca Ogrič - full member
11. EFLM TF European laboratory Day: Evgenija Homšak - full member
12. EFLM TF Young Scientist: Rok Kogovšek - full member
13. EFLM TF Green and Sustainable Laboratories: Lidija Gobec - full member
EDUCATION
1. IFCC National Representative: Blaž Krhin
2. IFCC Committee on Molecular Diagnostics: Katarina Trebušak Podkrajšek- corresponding member
3. IFCC Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering in Laboratory medicine:
4. Evgenija Homšak - corresponding member
5. IFCC Task Force on Global Newborn Screening: Barbka Repič Lampret- corresponding member
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Publication of the fourth (4) issue of the journal “Laboratorijska Medicina (Laboratory Medicine)”.

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY & LABORATORYMEDICINE (SAACB)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Cardiometabolic Health & Diabetes
Africa Congress

22-25
February 2022

Improving Cardiometabolic Health: A Personalized
ApproachStellenbosch Laboratory Management
module22-25
March 2022

General laboratory management (various SAACB
members)

EDUCATION
The following webinars were held:• Dr Sten Westgard: The evolution of QC.
• Dr Graham Beastall: Traceability in Laboratory Medicine: what is it and why
is it important for patients• Prof Joris Delanghe: Modern Urinalysis• Prof Damien Gruson: Diabetes: from differential diagnosis to risk estimation266

• Prof Dr. Matthias Orth: Normalizing laboratory data to aid continuity• Dr Lena Jafri and Dr Hafsa Khan: Workbased Assessment in Chemical Pathology
training
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

AFCC- Botswana Instituteof Clinical Laboratory Professionals

3 Nov 2022

Sponsored travel and accommodation

International Year of Basic
Sciences for Sustainable
Development (IYBSSD 2022)
Southern African

3 Mar 2022

Member of the South African Basic Sciences platform

REGIONAL RELATIONSThe SAACB participated in the inauguration of the latest AFCC society, the Botswana Instituteof Clinical Laboratory Professionals by sponsoring the travel and accommodation of 3 speakers
in Gaborone on 3 Nov 2022.
The SAACB also participates regularly in any regional AFCC meetings that are held.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSThe SAACB has also become a member of WASPALM (World Association of Societies of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine) and was officially inducted during the XXXI WASPALM conference in Punta del Este on 29 Sep-2 Oct 2022.
The SAACB also organized a symposium at the XXXI WASPALM conference in Punta del Esteon 29 Sep-2 Oct 2022.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe SAACB is the daughter society of the Federation of South African Societies of Pathology(FSASP) and holds his annual meeting during the FSASP conference. The last FSASP conference was held in 2018 at Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Owing partly to the
Covid pandemic, there have been no conferences since then but a joint one with the FSASP
and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is planned in September 2023. However, the
SAACB initiated a series of Expert Seminars to circumvent the lack of face-to-face meetings.
The SAACB has had to adapt and with this in mind, the SAACB Expert Seminar Series waslaunched.

267

SPAINSOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DE MEDICINA DE LABORATORIO(SEQCML)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

XVI National Congressof Clinical Laboratory(LabClin).

Málaga, 19-21 Octobrer
2022
•
•
•

XIX Meeting of ScientificCommittees.

28-31 March 2022.
Virtual meeting.

•••
II External Quality
Assurance Programs
Conference

November 15 2022. Virtual
meeting.
th

•
•
•
•

Laboratory role in detection and follow-up of
prostate cancer.
Clinical laboratory on chronic hepatic disease.
The hormone laboratory in the diagnosis andfollow-up of neuroendocrine tumors.
Pathophysiological implications and innovationin the diagnosis of Cardiovascular disease.
Internal audit as a tool for improvement inaccreditation. How Implement it in the clinicallaboratory.
COVID-19 update. what about after the
pandemic?
What’s new in SEQCML programs?.
FAQCS Answers.
2021 Results.
Quality assurance of serum indexes.

EDUCATION
Annual Educational Program 2021-2022: :• XXV General Educational Program 2021- 2022 …………………………………………. 650
participants• VIII Clinical Cases in Hematology Program 2021-2022 .…………..……………………. 467
participants• VII Clinical Cases General Educational Program 2021-2022 …………………………… 415
participants• Reproduction and genetics. Program 2021-2022 ……………...................................... 387
participants• Clinical Cases of Neurological Diseases. Program 2021-2022 ……………................. 190
participants• Clinical Cases of Toxicology. Program 2021-2022 …..........………............................ 347
participants
SEQCML Academy: Virtual courses and webinars.
• Clinical cases in hematological biology. January 2022.
• Gammapathies. Approach from the clinical laboratory. January 2022.
• Quality assurance strategies in the clinical laboratory. April 2022.
• How to measure the most heterogeneous protein in the human body. April 2022.
• Farmacogenetics and clinical cases. May 2022.
• Screening for preeclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy. May 2022.
• The laboratory in the management of acute coronary syndromes. June 2022.
• Welcome to the emergency laboratory. June 2022.
• Practical workshop of the analytical quality committee. June 2022.
• Machine learning and data science in Clinical Laboratory. September 2022.

268

• Introduction to the preanalytical phase, The beginning of the sample. September 2022.
• Oxidative stress and its implication in cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative
diseases. October 2022.
• Critical reading of scientific laboratory articles. October 2022.
• Advances in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. November 2022.
• From lipid profile to metabolic profile. November 2022.
• Clinical cases in the study of monoclonal gammapathies. December 2022.
• Inter-hospital sessions. December 2022.
REGIONAL RELATIONSSEQCML 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”• The Latin-American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI).
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSSEQCML has relationships with:• The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC).
• The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSEQCML organizes 60 EQAS programs (8 accredited according to ISO 17043) with more than
350 magnitudes (140 accredited). Participation is high with more than 700 registered centersand over 8,500 registrations per year. EQAS programs include both analytical and extra analitical phases. SEQCML- EQAS Programs and Educational Programs are expanding to LatinAmerican countries.
SEQCML maintains the Spanish version of Lab Tests Online with more than 300 tests and a glossary with more than 500 contents. The LTO ES website has been completely renewed in 2022
and has received an average of 620,000 visits per month last year.
Advances in Laboratory Medicine / Avances en Medicina de Laboratorio (Adv Lab Med) is theofficial journal of the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML). Adv Lab Med is a bilingual Open Acces journal, and publishes both in English and Spanish. Adv Lab Med is indexedin PMC and Scopus.
The SEQCML is committed to multidisciplinary work and maintains agreements with other medical societies such as Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, Spanish Society ofInternal Medicine, Spanish Society of Cardiology and Spanish Society of Nephrology among
others.
SEQCML has a total of 2979 memberships (December 2022), of which nearly 400 are membersof 33 Commissions/ Committees/ Working Groups and more than 40 are SEQCML Representatives in International Federations (IFCC/EFLM/FESTEM/CLSI/ICSH). It is worth highlighting the
SEQCML commitment to promoting the participation of young scientists in both national andinternational groups.

269

SRI LANKAASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRYSRLI LANKA (ACBSL)EDUCATION
Conducted monthly educational activities on virtual flatform.
1. How to handle analytical issues of HbA1c test on HPLC platform.
2. Inhouse reagents preparation: a blessing or a threat.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Sri Lanka was selected as a one of the countries for the IFCC EQA pilot project withinitial six laboratory. After successfully participation it was upgraded to 12 labs and the
project is being implemented very successfully.
2. Dr. B. K. T. P. Dayanath represented IFCC 70th General conference.
3. Dr. Udara Senarathne, a committee member for young scientist’s forum of IFCC
participated for IFCC worldlab in Korea and shared her experience with otherparticipants.
4. Dr. Gawri Abenayaka received a travel grant and the experience gained there wasshared with others.
5. ACBSL members were actively participated for the IFCC webinar series and share what
they gained from there among scientific community.
6. BD preanalytical webinar was well receptor by good number of labs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• The new knowledge and experience gained through the IFCC is used by ACBSL
members to share and provide consultancy services with different groups of laboratory
services.
• The members of ACBSL provide institutional and national level consultancy and expertly
opinions for the development of the medical laboratory sector in Sri Lanka

SWITZERLANDSWISS SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (SSCC)

NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Molecular Diagnostics
2022, virtual meeting,
Zurich

270

Date

Topic

29 April 2022

Clinical and Molecular Basis of Human Eye Diseases,
CAR T-Cell Therapy, Genetics in Bipolar Disorders,
Differentiation of Human Materials in Forensic
Investigations, Disentangling the Genetics of Lean
Body Mass, Single Cell RNA Sequencing, DNA-Tracesfrom the Environment Show What the Eye Can’t See

SSCC Annual Assembly
2022, Olma St.Gallen

14 – 16 September 2022

Likelihood Ratio, Reference Change Values, Pointof Care Testing coming of age – What it Means for
the Future of the Core Lab, Current topics in Cardiac
Markers, Liquid Biopsy: Status quo and applications
outside oncology, Smart use of LC/MS, Genetics
in a clinical setting. Nucleic acid approaches andplatforms, Pharmacometabolomics guided bybreath analysis, Pharmacogenetics and Clinical
Decision Support, Pharmacogenetic Testing vs TDM
in Switzerland: where we are, How Big Data andArtificial Intelligence impact patients

EDUCATION
26 days of further education as a CAS in laboratory medicine, which is part of the further education curriculum in laboratory medicine in Switzerland. This CAS is offered in German at the
University of Zurich (https://www.cas-labmed.uzh.ch/de.html) and in French at the University ofGeneva (https://www.unige.ch/formcont/cours/cas-medecine-laboratoire).

TUNISIASOCIÉTÉ TUNISIENNE
DE BIOLOGIE CLINIQUE (STBC)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

35èmes Journées
Nationales de Biologie
Clinique26, 27 & 28 May, 2022

Biology at the center of the care process2èmes Journées
Tunisiennes de Biologie
Praticienne

27 & 28 October, 2022

Cancer and biology

Date			Place			Theme					 Attendance
18-19/02/2022
TunisManagement of laboratory 		34						equipment					19/02/2022

Kébili4th Day of Clinical Biology of Kebili

90

04/03/2022
Tunis						

Validation and Verification			of methodsof medical biology laboratories

30

11-12/03/2022

Tunis

The metrology in the medical laboratories

28

25-26/03/2022

Tunis			Audit of the quality management system

25

Biological Risk Management		
in Medical Laboratories

27

01/12/2022
Monastir 								

16/12/2022
Tunis 			Approach of the immunological 								assessment in case of autoimmune						disease of the central nervous						
system33

271

27/01/2023

Gabès

		

Validation of the blood count			

47

24/02/2023

Tunis 			6 sigma approach and implementation

33						and follow-up of quality controls
REGIONAL RELATIONSFaculty of Pharmacy of Monastir
Tunisian Union of Private Laboratories
Tunisian Society of General and Family Medicine
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. IFCC
2. AFCB (Arab Federation of Clinical Biology)
3. FIFBCML (Francophone International Federation of Clincal Biology and Laboratory
Medicine)
4. BIOMED J (France)
5. JIB (France)
6. SFBC (French Society of Clinical Biology)
7. ALAM (Algerian Association of Medical Laboratories)
8. SMCC (Moroccan Society of Clinical Chemistry)
9. AMBM (Moroccan Society of Medical Biology)
10. SFM (French Society of Microbiology)
11. GSCC-CB (Greek Society of Clinical Chemistry-Clinical Biochemistry)
12. Lebanese Union of Biologists
13. Palestinan Society of Medical Laboratories
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The president of our national society is Prof. Manel Chaâbane (cmanel@yahoo.fr) (since theelections of the executive board hold in February 20th,2021)
She is the current representative of our national society.

TÜRKIYE

TURKISH BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY (TBS)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of themeeting

272

Date

IFCC Webinar

January 18-19,
2022

EFLM Webinar

February 22,
2022,

Topic
International Symposium on Immunoassay-Based Diagnostic Innovations:
Hot Topics and Recent Advances•

Common Reference Intervals for Immunoassay-Based Parameters:
Prof. Dr. Yeşim Özarda (Chair of the IFCC Reference Ranges andLimits of Decision Committee)

Biological Variation of CBC Parameters as a Pointer Towards Individual
Reference Intervals•

TBS’s EFLM representative Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman CoşkunITBS -BD Preanalytical Phase Symposium
Session 1•••

Studies of Ministry of Health Examination and Diagnostic Services
Department - İbrahim Karakuş
Results of the preanalytic phase clinician awareness questionnaireGüzin Aykal
Approach to HIL indexes - Oğuzhan Zengi

Session 2
February 23,
TBS Symposium
2022

•
•

Effect of preanalytical stage errors on cost - Pınar Eker
Occupational diseases, problems and solutions arising fromthe preanalytical phase in laboratory medicine – Çiğdem Sönmez

Session 3••

Quality factors in the preanalytical process - İpek Çınaroğlu (BD)
Preanalytical phase in dynamic endocrinological tests- Oytun
Portakal

Session 4••

Capillary blood: A special sample and considerations in thepreanalytical phase – M. Fatih Alpdemir
Diurnal rhythm and preanalytic phase- Murat Cihan

Multiple myeloma
Moderator: Oytun Portakal
TBS Webinar

April 5,2022, Online•••

Hakan KAYA (Cancer Care Northwest and Washington State
University, USA)
Yahya BÜYÜKAŞIK (Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine
Department of Hematology)
Mohannad Ali YACOUB (MSL-The Binding Site)

273

Session 1
Opening Conference
Moderators Nur OLGUN•

Surgery and Inflammation: Surgical Inflammation - İskender SAYEK

Session 2:
Pathophysiology Of Inflammation
Moderators Dicle GÜÇ, Safiye AKTAŞ
•••Pathophysiology of Inflammation - Şevket RUACAN
Inflammation Biochemistry, Mediators and Mechanisms - Eser
YILDIRIM SÖZMEN
Inflammation and Immunity - Haluk Barbaros ORAL

Session 3:
Diagnosis-Biomarkers And Tests-I
Moderators Semra DEMOKAN, Mehmet SENES•••Classical and New Biomarkers in Inflammation - Günnur DİKMEN
Biomarkers Used in the Diagnosis of Sepsis - Necati GÖKMEN
Biomarkers Used in the Diagnosis of Hyper-inflammation (COVID-19)
Tanıl KOCAGÖZ

Session 4:
Symposium:
TurkishVIIth In Vitro
Diagnostic (IVD)
Symposium

Diagnosis-Biobarkers And Tests-Ii
Moderators Oya İTİL, Ferhan SAĞIN
April 27-29,
2022, Online•••(TBS Izmir
Branch)Lung Diseases and Inflammation - Ali VERAL, Tuncay GÖKSEL
Clinical Molecular Imaging in Inflammation - Oğuz DICLEThe Role of Nuclear Medicine in Clinical Molecular Imaging
in Inflammation - Zehra ÖZCAN

Session 5:
Inflammation Based On Diseases-I
Moderators: Fatoş ÖNEN, Aylin SEPİCİ DİNÇEL
••••Rheumatological Diseases and Inflammation - Servet AKAR
Effects of Inflammation on Drug Metabolism and Pharmacogenetic
Factors - Melih BABAOĞLU
Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and Inflammation - Koray ATILA
Movement and Inflammation - Bilge KARA

Session 6:
Inflammation Based On Diseases-II
Moderators Rüçhan SERTÖZ, İbrahim PETEKKAYA•••

Cancer and Inflammation - Selman SÖKMEN
Inflammation and Aging - Ahmet Turan IŞIKCardiovascular Inflammation - Uğur CANPOLAT

Session 7:
Inflammation Based On Diseases-III
Moderators: Nuh Zafer CANTÜRK, Mehmet Ali KOÇDOR
•
•
•

274

Inflammatory Response in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair- Özlem SİLİSTRELİ
Trauma and Inflammation - Anıl Murat ÖZTÜRK
Inflammation and Ozone Therapy - Hamit Selim KARABEKİR

Session 8
Inflammation Based On Diseases-III
Moderators: Nuh Zafer CANTÜRK, Mehmet Ali KOÇDOR
••Inflammatory Response in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair- Özlem SİLİSTRELİ
Trauma and Inflammation - Anıl Murat ÖZTÜRK

•Inflammation and Ozone Therapy - Hamit Selim KARABEKİR

Session 8
Inflammation Based On Diseases-IV
Moderators: Hale AKBAYLAR, Meltem TAŞBAKAN•••

Inflammation and Transplantation - Tarkan ÜNEKInflammation and Bowel Diseases - Müjde SOYTÜRK
Inflammation and Microbiota - Nur ARSLAN•

Diabetic Foot - Şevki ÇETİNKALP

Session 9:
Anti-Inflammatory Approaches To The Treatment
Moderators: Aysun PABUÇCUOĞLU, Hülya YAZICI•••New Approaches in Anti-Inflammatory Treatment (Nanotechnology
Applications) - Özgen ÖZERHerbal Anti-Inflammatories - Erdem YEŞİLADA
Acupuncture and Mesotherapy Treatments in Inflammation- Nüket KARABEKİR

Session 10:
In Vitro Diagnostics: Innovative Examples
Moderators: Füsun ÖZMEN, Oytun PORTAKAL•••

Development and Production Story of Rapid Test Kits - Kağan EtkaYÖRÜK (Vitrosens Biotechnology)
Point-of-Care Tests - Ilgın ÖZTÜRK - Kartal YAĞLIDERE (TURKLAB
Medical Devices)‘A Scaling Up Story’ in Production of an Analysis in the IVD Industry
from 100 L Production to 40 Tons per Lot - Salih UCA (Archem
Diagnostics)

Session:11:
In vitro Diagnostics And Future Panel In Diagnosis Of Inflammatory
Moderators: Diler ASLAN, Doğan YÜCEL
•••Clinical Use of Cytokines as Inflammation Markers - Sedef YENİCE
IVD in Inflammation Diagnosis and Future Biochemistry - Nuray ULUSU
IVD Medical Devices in Inflammation: Present and Future - Muhittin
SERDAR

275

New Biomarkers In Traumatic Brain Injury: Traditional Clinical Approach
Or Process Management With The Aid Of Biomarkers
Moderators: Aylin Sepici Dinçel, Yasemin Atıcı
Session 1

TBS Symposium

May 11, 2022Vişnelik, Ankara•••

Traumatic Brain Injury in Turkey: Aylin Sepici Dincel,
Clinical Approach to Traumatic Brain Injury, Hakan Emmez,
Traumatic Brain Injury: Silent Epidemic As Common Neurological
DisorderSession 2:
Pathophysiology Of Inflammation
Moderators Dicle GÜÇ, Safiye AKTAŞ
••Traumatic Brain Injury: New Biomarkers
Evaluation and Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

Data-driven Operations and Machine Learning Applications in ClinicalLaboratories
Moderator: Sedef Yenice
IFCC Webinar

May 23, 2022
Online•••TBS Academy
CourseJune 4-5, 2022,
OnlineDeniz İlhan Topçu (IFCC Internet and Distance Education Committee
Member and IFCC Web Editor),
Hikmet Can Çubukçu (EFLM Accreditation and ISO/CEN Standards
Working Group Member and IFCC Global Distance Education /eAcademy Task Force Member),
Merve Sibel Güngören (IFCC Clinical Laboratory Management
Member)Scientific Paper Writing and Publication Process: Problems, Solutions andFacilitating Software•

TBS Information Technologies Working Group

Endocrinology And Clinical Laboratories
Moderators: Gunnur Dikmen, Imge Erguder
Session 1
TBS Symposium

June 8, 2022Vişnelik, Ankara••

Dynamic endocrine tests in CAH diagnosis: Ayla Güven
Preanalytical process in diagnosis of endocrine disease: Pınar Eker

Session 2••

National Newborn scanning program fro CAH: Gülsüm Apak Özdemir
CLIA panel: Sergio Bernardini

Usage of LC-MS/MS In Clinical Laboratories And Metabolism Course
Session 1
Moderator: Alper Gümüş
TBS Course(TBS Istanbul
Branch)June 12-13, 2022
Istanbul

•
•
•
•
•

276

Is it necessary to know chromatography? - Sedat Abusoglu
Mass spectrometer - Sedat Abusoglu
Current approaches in chromatographic analysis (Rotakim)
Does the mass spectrometer work like a routine autoanalyzer? Sedat
Abusoglu
Usage areas of mass spectrometer in clinical laboratory, use of mass
spectrometer in endocrine system evaluation - Ali Ünlü

Session 2
Moderator: Cihan Coşkun
••••Metabolism laboratory operation at Istanbul Başakşehir Çam and
Sakura City Hospital - Ayla Yıldız
Preanalytical variables in metabolic diseases - Sedat Abuşoğlu
Can we give correct results with the method we have established?
Method validation – Sedat Abuşoğlu
Maintaining quality in the use of mass spectrometry - Ali ÜnlüSession 3
Moderator: Hasan ÖnalSimple tests and routine biochemistry - Merve Aslantaş
•
•
•
•
•
•

Amino Acids - Hamide Sevinç GençOrganic acids - Bengü Arslan
Acyl carnitines – Tarık Yıldırım
Lysosomal tests - Nurcan Third Ergün
Transferrin electrophoresis in CDG - Bilge Noyan
Neurotransmitters in metabolic diseases - Nihal Coşkun

Session 4
Moderator: Oguzhan Zengi

International
11th “Beginners
Course in
Molecular
Diagnostics”

TBS Capillary
Electrophoresis
Workshop

September,
4-10 2022
Niğde•

The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis and follow-up of metabolic
diseases in the presence of cases - Ayla Yıldız

•By IFCC Committee on Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum (IFCCC-CMBC) Committee Chair and Members, under the TBS framework

October 27, 2022 Dr. Adnan Haşimi
İzmir, Çeşme
Medisis

TBS Course:
Cell Culture
Before andOctober 26 andAfter Putting
30, 2022, İzmir,on the Lab Coat:Çeşme
Experimental
Design and Data
Presentation

Ali Burak Özkaya

TBS Computer
Applied ClinicalLab Statistics
Workshop

October 26 and30, 2022, İzmir,ÇeşmeDoğan Yücel, Muhittin A.Serdar, Oğuzhan Zengi, Deniz İlhan Topçu, Hikmet
Can Çubukçu, Serkan Bolat, Habib Özdemir, Murat Cihan

International
Biochemistry
Congress 2022// 33rd National
Biochemistry
Congress

October 26-30
2022, Ilıca Hotel,İzmir Çeşme

277

On the Memoryof Prof. Gunes
Yuregir - 2nd
Kahramanmaras
BiochemistryDays
2nd Advanced
Course in
Molecular
Diagnostics”(C-CMBC/
IFCC)•
November 26-27,
2022

•
•
•

December 1-3,
2022

Halef Okan Dogan Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Interpretationof Results
Hamit Hakan Alp Biological Variation and Its Use in the ClinicalLaboratory
Serkan Bolat - Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Medical
Laboratory
Oral presentations

Abdullah Tuli, Aylin Sepici Dinçel,

Adana

Opening lecture
Moderator: Güliz Erdem•

Neuroendocrine Control of Dietary Fat Absorption and Metabolism:
The Critical Role of Gut Hormones - Khosrow Adeli

Session 1
Moderator: Özlem Unay Demirel•

Biochemical Mechanisms Behind Popular Diets

Session 2
Moderator: Hasip Çirkin••

Original Unaltered
Original Form of Milk-A2 MILK

Session 3
TBS- Nutrition
and Metabolism
Symposium(Istanbul
Branch)Moderator: Yegâne Güven
December 16-17,2022,İstanbul•••

Congenital Metabolic Diseases
Laboratory Tests and New Developments in Hereditary Metabolic
Metabolic Diseases Affecting Congenital Liver - Hasan ÖnalGenetics of Metabolic Diseases and the Prenatal Period - Ezgi Gizem
BerkaySession 4
Moderator: Cihan Coskun••••

Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: A Personalized
Approach to Nutrition
Nutrigenetic Perspective on the Relationship between Genetics
and Nutrition - Remin Akçay Tan
You Are What You Eat - Yeşim ÖzdemirSecond day:Session 1:
Moderator: Şirin Funda Eren
•
•
•

278

Microbiota, Probiotics and Prebiotics
Gut Microbiota and Body Weight Control: The Weight Control Centerin Our Inner World - Murat Baş
Gastrointestinal Diseases and Microbiota - Ender Pehlivanoğlu

Session 2:
Moderator: Ferhan Girgin Sağın
•Macro Benefits of Micronutrients in Health - Orçun Kürüm•

Effects of Bioactive Molecules in Foods on Inflammation and Cancer

Session 3:
Moderator: Tanju Besler••••

The Effects of Polyphenols on Inflammation - Eser Yıldırım Sözmen
Effects of Propolis and Polyphenols on Cancer - Oğuz Öztürk
Oral presentation
Investigation of the Effects of Black Nut in a Nontransgenic
Experimental Alzheimer Model Created by Streptozotocin - Fulya
Özsoy

Session 4
The Relationship between Obesity, Cardiometabolic Diseases and Nutrition
Moderator: Ayliz Velioglu Ogunc•

Can We Control Atherosclerosis With Nutrition? - Gokcen Orhan•

Normal Weight Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Güliz Erdem

Session 5:
Scientific Perspective in Nutrition
Moderator: Oguzhan Zengi••••

Effects of Artificial Sweeteners and High Fructose Corn Syrup on
Metabolism - Hakan Boyağa
Food Biochemistry - Murat Cihan
Oral presentation
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Biochemical Structure and Effects on
Metabolism - Günseli ÖneşEDUCATION• “Authorship In Scientific Publications” : Prof. Dr. Ferhan Sağın, Thursday, June 16,2022
Online Meeting• TBD - Prof. Dr. Nazmi Özer Science Award continued to be given to scientists who
attended our congress in 2022.
• Specific to this year, “FEBS-Open Bio Poster Award” was given.
• To encourage students to do research we gave “TJB Science Award” within the scopeof the congress. (TJB: Turkish Journal of Biochemistry)• We continue the publish of TJB by De Gruyter.
• TBS granted registration or accomodation bursary for 80 young scientists inInternational Biochemistry Congress 2022 // 33rd National Biochemistry Congress
REGIONAL RELATIONS
TBS participated in various working groups of “Turkish Ministry of Health”:• At the request of the Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services,
Department of Investigation, Diagnosis and Treatment Services, “Opinion on the “Draft
Regulation on Clinical Trials of Pharmaceuticals and Biological Products” prepared by
the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, 7 January 2022.

279

• Upon the request of the Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services,
Department of Investigation, Diagnosis and Treatment Services, the opinions of theTBS were given on “which laboratory specialization falls into the field of interventional
competence by evaluating the spermiogram test together with TUKMOS”, February 14,2022.
• Upon the request of the Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services,
Department of Investigation, Diagnosis and Treatment Services, the opinions of the TBS
were given on “Draft Revision of Medical Laboratories Regulation”, October 8, 2022.
• Chair of our society Doğan Yücel, was assigned at Ministry of Health Medical Laboratory
Scientific Commission on 10.03.2022
TBS participated in various meetings of “Turkish Medical Association”• Prof. Dr. Z. Günnur Dikmen and Prof. Dr. Ali Ünlü attended Specialization at Medicine
Proficiency Boards Experience Sharing and Education Meetings as representativesof our society in March and April 2022.
• We continue to attend the meetings of the. “Coordination Board of Specialist
Associations (UDEK)” of Turkish Medical Association.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
TBS participates in studies of working groups and task forces of IFCC and EFLM committees:• Our colleagues who represent our country and society abroad successfully, especiallyin IFCC ve EFLM, Prof. Dr. Sedef Yenice, Dr. Deniz İlhan Topçu and Dr. Hikmet CanÇubukçu were accepted to talk, in a session titled “Developing Laboratory Data-Based
Processing Including Use of Machine Learning Models Towards Clinical Decision
Support” in AACC 2022 Congress in Chicago on 24-28 July 2022.
• At the EFLM Strategic Conference, (May 25-27, 2022) Dr. Merve Sibel Güngören who
is the member of the IFCC Clinical Laboratory Management Committee, talked about“Crossing the chasm: Strategies for digital transformation in clinical laboratories”.
• TBS represents other scientific or professional bodies in Turkey such as EFLM, BCLF,IUBMB, and FEBS.

URUGUAY

ASOCIACIÓN BIOQUÍMICA URUGUAYA (ABU)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Organization of the XIV Uruguayan
Congress of Clinical Biochemistry

May 11 to 13, 2023

Clinical Biochemistry: Combining science with avocation for service.

Collaboration with the Organizationof the XIII SLEIMPN 2024 Congress

October 22-25, 2024

Inborn errors of metabolism and neonatal
screening

EDUCATION• January 2022: COLABIOCLI Scholarship awarded to our colleague BC Diana Landoni.
• April 21 to May 21, 2022: Call for ABU scholarships.
• May 2022: ABU-University of Montevideo agreement for ABU members

280• June 2022: Course on “Strategic Planning in Laboratories and Leadership of Young
Professionals” (COLABIOCLI)• June 2022: Sponsorship granted to the webinar “Sample Preparation for ClinicalAnalysis” organized by the Committee for Standardization and Quality Control (CECC)
and diffusion among ABU members,• July 2022: 4 half sponsorships were received for our members to attend the WASPaLM
World Congress to be held at the Punta del Este Convention Center, Uruguay.
• August 2022: ABU Scholarships. As a result of a call made in May 2022: thescholarship commission must declare void the call made in April-May since theapplicants did not meet the requirements of the call established in the Scholarship
Regulations.
• August 2022- Reconsideration of the Diploma of Quality Assurance Specialist in theclinical laboratory• (2020 -) The agreement with ABA in relation to refresher courses for our partners
remains in force.
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

Latin American Congress of
COLABIOCLI (Mexico)

March 30
to April 2, 2022

With active participation of several members of ABU.

CALILAB 2022 Congress. Mar delPlata. ArgentinianNovember 7
to 9, 2022

With active participation of several members of ABU.

“V Forum of Academic Training
Units for Biochemical Professionals
and Equivalent Degrees in Latin
America and the Caribbean”

November 24
and 25, 2022

Title Equivalency

REGIONAL RELATIONS• June 2022. Questionnaire on laboratories in the Latin American Region. Collaboration
with COLABIOCLI.
• August 2 to 4, 2022. “The laboratory in monitoring the leading cause of deathworldwide.” Speakers: López E. (Ur.), Antúnez F (Ur.) and Lena, AM(Ur.), Medeiros R.
(Ur.) Organized by the group of Young Professionals of COLABIOCLI.
• From September 29 to October 2, 2022, in the Punta del Este Convention Center took
place. the XXXI World Congress of the World Association of Societies of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine (WASPalM), together with the XXVI Congress of the Latin
American Association of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine (ALAPAC/ML) and the
XVIII Uruguayan Congress of Clinical Pathology (SUPAC) where ABU carried out thecommercial launch of the XIV Congress of Clinical Biochemistry.
• July 2022: Names were provided to form the database on possible candidates tointegrate the Latin American Training program, requesting the reliability and protectionof said information.
• July 2022. Management of the COLABIOCLI letter that empowers ABU to coordinate
activities of common interest with the PAHO headquarters in Montevideo, Uruguay.
• (2022) Member of the Audit Commission of COLABIOCLI Q:F, BC Fernando Antúnez• (2020-) Past president of COLABIOCLI. Prof. Dr. Stella Raymondo.
• (2021-) Regional Representative of COLABIOCLI before the IFCC with multiple
interventions in regional and global activities: Dr. Ana María Lena
• (End of 2021, formalized in 2022) The first prize was obtained in the COLABIOCLI
for the best promotional video of the Clinical Biochemist: Made by Dr. Ana María Lena281

• November 24 and 25, 2022) “V Forum of Academic Units Training Biochemical
Professionals and Equivalent Degrees in Latin America and the Caribbean” held in Villa
Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina; This event was organized by the Academic-Trade andManagement Commission of COLABIOCLI, CUBRA, FeBICo, and under the auspices of
IFCC, attended by the director of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry of the Facultyof Chemistry of Montevideo, Uruguay, Dr. BC Patricia Esperón, with a scholarship fromABU.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. 28-31 October 2022, IFCC General Conference. Brussels. Belgium, with the assistanceof the president of ABU. Q.F. BC Fernando Antunez.
2. July 2022. A video was made with a greeting from ABU in homage to the IFCC
on the occasion of celebrating its 70th anniversary, and it will take place at the Brussels
Conference,Prof. Dra. Stela Raymondo having been designated for this purpose.
3. 28-31 October 2022, IFCC General Conference. Brussels. Belgium, “First annual Global
Art Competition in honor of the 70th anniversary of the IFCC : 1st prize . video.
Author Dr. BC Ana Ma. Lena.
4. (2022) Obtaining an IFCC scholarship to do an internship at Laboratorio Fares Taie,by BC María Fernanda Larrambebere.
5. (2022) Obtaining a Full Member Position in the C-PR by MSc.. BC. María. Schroeder
6. (2022) Application of various Corresponding Members to calls for positions in various
committees and WG within the IFCC, some of which have not yet been resolved.
7. ( 1993 - ) Dr. Stella Raymondo will celebrate this year 30 years in the position
of RN – If-CC of Uruguay
8. (2022) Numerous Corresponding Members in Committees, WG and TF shipments where
they interact permanently.
9. (2022) BC Cecilia Queijo, who represented the Uruguayan Biochemical Associationin the IFCC TF-NBS, traveled to Central America to strengthen the issue of Inborn Errorsof Metabolism.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. January 2022. The XIV Uruguayan Congress of Clinical Biochemistry begins
to be organized to be held from May 11 to 13, 2023. Victoria Plaza Hotel. Montevideo.
Uruguay.
2. April 2022. Code of Ethics: It has been decided that the most appropriate thing will
be to use the IFCC Code of Ethics, adapted to our reality.
3. August 2022. It has been decided to collaborate with an annual economic support
for radio “El microscrópico” since it is considered a very important bulwark for the
dissemination of laboratory activities in the world and especially in Latin America.
4. August 2022. AQFU-ABU Magazine. Editorial Committee of the Clinical Biochemistry
Section: Responsible Editor: Prof. Dr. Cristina Servetto. Associate: Prof. Dr. Estela
Raymondo.
5. (2022) In the union, work continues with public organizations to avoid omissions in calls
to Clinical Biochemists.
6. (2022) Participation in the Uruguayan Organization for Technical Standards remains
active, performing and leading the Clinical Laboratory standards translation group forthe country with the collaboration of the BC. Ana Piana. Professionals with equivalentdegrees also attend
7. (2022) There is the participation of a significant group of colleagues in the order
Graduates in the Council, Senate and Technological Pole of the Faculty of Chemistry
and with ABU Representatives in the Standardization and Quality Control Committee282

of the CECC.
8. (2020 -)As a country in which COLABIOCLI was officially achieved, the greatest
possible support is being provided with aspects of procedures before public and privateorganizations in collaboration with the regional entity.2020-

USA

AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONFOR CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (AACC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic
This meeting allows attendees to connect with global
leaders in clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics,
mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab
management, and other areas of breaking science inlaboratory medicine.

AACC Annual
Scientific Meeting& Clinical Lab Expo

July 24 – 28, 2022

In addition, attendees can hear about vital researchand learn about important changes in the field. With
more than 250 educational opportunities in the formof lectures, plenary sessions, scientific sessions, androundtable sessions, you can design an educational
experience that meets your need to stay ahead ofchanges in the field.
Lastly, our attendees may view our Clinical Lab Expo,
where they can learn about cutting-edge technology
at the AACC Clinical Lab Expo featuring 800+
exhibitors and 200+ new products/services.

EDUCATION
Online Education
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
1/1/2022 – 12/31/2022:• Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications of Flow Cytometry Certificate Program• Basic Principles and Architecture of Laboratory Information Systems Certificate Program• Clinical Laboratory Leadership and Management Certificate Program• Fundamentals of Molecular Pathology Certificate Program• Introductory Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry for the Clinical Laboratory
Certificate Program• Laboratory Operational Management Certificate Program• LC-MS/MS Troubleshooting for the Clinical Laboratory Certificate Program• Point of Care Specialist Certificate Program• Practical Approaches to Quality Control in the Clinical Laboratory Certificate Program• Principles of Clinical Toxicology Certificate Program• Regulatory Affairs for Laboratory Compliance Certificate Program• Statistical Methods for Clinical Laboratorians Certificate Program283

WEBINARS
Title

Progam Date

Como Implementar el Control de Calidad: Teoría y Practica

January 12, 2022

Buenas Prácticas de Control de Calidad: Uso de las Reglas de Westgard de Control
de Calidad

July 8, 2022

Consejos Practicos para Mantener un Buen Programa de Control de Calidad

October 11, 2022

NT-proBNP and Heart Failure: How to Test and Analyze

January 18, 2022

Point of Care Testing in the Emergency Department: Challenges, Opportunities and Vision
for the Future

March 15, 2022

The Use of Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio to Screen for CKD in Underserved
Populations

April 19, 2022

Mass Spectrometry in Diagnosis of Protein Misfolding Diseases

April 26, 2022

The Pressing Need for Data Analytics Literacy in Laboratory Medicine

May 4, 2022

The Five Ws (Why, Who, What, Where, When) of Reimbursement and Regulation
for Diagnostics

May 12, 2022

Best Practices for Optimizing Laboratory Resources and Utilization During a Global Supply
Shortage

May 17, 2022

New Insight! Non-Invasive Sample Collection for Infectious Disease Testing

July 26, 2022

Establishing QC Targets and Ranges for Multiple Instruments

August 24, 2022

The Next Evolution of Molecular Testing Post COVID-19

September 8, 2022

REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

Global Lab Quality Initiative
Workshop: Introduction: Training in
POC and Risk Management (Santa
Cruz, Bolivia)

September
28, 2022 – 29,
2022

With the Sociedad Boliviana de Bioquímica Clínica
(SOBOBIOCLI)

Global Lab Quality Initiative
Workshop: Verifying Assay
Performance: Steps To Follow To
Verify Manufacturer’s Claims (Santa
Cruz, Bolivia)

November17, 2022 – 18,
2022

With the Sociedad Boliviana de Bioquímica Clínica
(SOBOBIOCLI)

October 7, 2023 -AACC Middle East is a two-day conference heldin partnership with Life Dx that brings the latest
in laboratory medicine to the Middle East regionand showcases diagnostic innovations at a dynamic
exposition. The conference covers a range of timely
topics from infectious diseases to big data to prenatal
emerging technology, as well as core laboratory areas
in sample transport, lab management, and quality
assurance. Each session is presented by experts
in AACC’s scientific leadership.
AACC Middle East attendees have the opportunity
to network with their peers and experts from the
U.S. and the Middle East to share knowledge
on new breakthroughs in laboratory medicine.

AACC Middle East284

International CPOCT

POCT Boot Camp

September
21 – 23, 2022

Attendees are given opportunities to learn the latest
in POCT from interdisciplinary experts, engage withcompanies in the exhibit hall, and network withpeers during poster hall receptions. The symposiumpromises to deliver stimulating discussions on
the latest science and cutting-edge technologicaladvances through a keynote lecture, scientificsessions, panel discussions, and interactive poster
receptions.

May 5 – 6, 2022

POCT Bootcamp is a one-day, workshop-styleaccredited meeting. The target audience for thismedical event are POC coordinators, managers,
supervisors, medical directors and/or others who
perform POC testing in hospitals, clinics, or other
patient care settings.
The preanalytical phase is a critical part of laboratory
medicine and essential to delivering quality patientcare. The preanalytical phase is also a source forthe majority of laboratory diagnostic errors withsome of the greatest challenges for laboratory
professionals. The most common preanalyticalerrors include challenges with patient preparation,
sample collection and transportation, and preparation
for analysis and storage. The good news is thatthese errors can be minimized by forward-thinking
healthcare professionals who are proactive in finding
collaborative solutions to overcome them.

Preanalytical ConferenceMarch
25 – 26, 2022

AACC’s Preanalytical Phase Conference provides realanswers to real problems facing laboratory medicine.
This 1.5-day program is hosted by experts in thefield who will share their wisdom, experiences, andtriumphs working
in the ever-changing landscape of the preanalyticalphase. The conference includes plenaries and main
sessions covering timely topics in transgender
medicine and lab automation along with core areas ofthe preanalytical phase. In addition, the conference
will also include interactive breakout sessions forsmall group discussions, poster sessions, and otheropportunities to network with leaders in the field.
This conference is designed to meet the needs ofclinical laboratory physicians, supervisors, managers,
and other laboratory professionals overseeing and/or
carrying out preanalytical phase processes.

REGIONAL RELATIONSMember of the North American Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSAACC maintains memoranda of understanding with several national societies for the purposesof mutually beneficial education exchanges.

285

VIETNAM

VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL
BIOCHEMISTS (VACB)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

The 24th Scientific
Conference of the Societyof Clinical Biochemistsof Hanoi and Northern
Provinces of Vietnam

7-8/01/2022 in Hanoi

Covid pandemie, Oncology, Immunology, QA & QC,
Endocrinology

Scientific Conferenceof the Society ofclinical Biochemists of
HoChiMinh City andSouthern Provinces ofVietnam

29/7/2022, HoChiMinh City

New techniques in the Laboratory diagnostics
of diseases

XII National Congress of
the VACB

21/10/2022, Ha LongThe 25th Scientific
Conference of the Socityof Clinical Biochemiistsof Hanoi and Northern
Provinces of Vietnam21-22/10/2022, Ha Long

Immunology, Oncology, Nephrology, Cardiology,
QA & QCEDUCATION
The VACB organized 4 Training courses (online) in 27-28/6/2022 ( Hepatology, Gastroenterology), 4/7/2022 (Biology markers in Cardiology), 11/7/2022 (Nephrology, Disturbances of water andelectrolytes), 25/7/2022 (Diabetes).
REGIONAL RELATIONSGood relations with APFCBINTERNATIONAL RELATIONSFrequent and good relations with IFCCADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe VACB is preparing the 60th Anniversary of the foundation of the VACB ( 1963 – 2023 ).
The Jubilee Anniversary will be in August of 2023 in Hanoi.

286

AFFILIATE MEMBER SOCIETIESFRANCEFRENCH NATIONAL NETWORK OF ACCREDITEDLABORATORIES OF MEDICAL BIOLOGY (LABAC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Labac National Conference
Paris ( France)

October 19 2022

Developing Quaity control strategies based on risk
management

Journées Francophones
de Biologie Medicale

October 5 2022

IVDR :What you need to know.
IFCC/EFLM coordination B.Gouget

Opening ceremony
Outstanding speakers invited by LABACJIB Paris 2022 LABAC

1st décember 2022

•
•
•
•

Pr K ADELI, IFCC President
Pr T OZBEN, EFLM President
Pr Nader RIFAI, Editor in chief AACC Clinicalchemistry
Pr Tony Badrick, Royal college of Pathologistsof Australasia ( AU)EDUCATION
1. Organization of Continuous training programmes for medical biologists (one day)Two national sessions:• 23/11/22: Quality control and quality assurance in Lab medicine• 8/11/22: Metrological tracability in Laboratory medicine as driver for accurate results
2. Speaker at EuroMedlab 2022
EDUW 18 – 14.00-15.00 SYSMEX| Room 13b
Title: Towards a smarter lab with digitally enhanced solutions
Chair: Theo Hofman – Sysmex Europe GmbH
Speakers: Dr. Jean-Marc Giannoli – Biogroup Laboratories, Neuville-sur-Saône, France
Title: Value of combining QC and patient results for decision support on analytical
performance
3. Participation at many congresses as attendee:
Lab quality days: International congress on quality in lab Medicine Helsinky April 2022
AACC Chicago July 2022
287

October 2022
4. FCC TF GLQ, Member 2021-2023
5. JIB 2022, Paris Dec 1-2
Opening session with the IFCC et EFLM Presidents
JM Giannoli and B Gouget chairs of the session on: the Future of the scientific publications
after the COVID 19, Pr Nader Rifaï, Speaker
6. Collaboration with the SFBCREGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

EUROMEDLAB 2022

EDUW 18

Speaker

IFCC General Conference, Brussels

October 2022

Participation at the TF GLQ meeting

REGIONAL RELATIONSParticipation of LABAC members in International and regional meetings
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• LABAC representatives:• IFCC: B Gouget• EFLM: B Gouget• EFLM/IFCC EuroMedLab Munich 2022 (Dr Giannoli, Workshop Sysmex)• Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ) (Dr J.M. Giannoli, Member, 2021-2023)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe status of affiliate member is to be changed in order to facilitate a perfect integration of ourmembers in the functional units

288

IRAN

IRANIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICALLABORATORY DOCTORS (IACLD)NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

The 13th International & 19th
National Congress on Quality
Improvement in ClinicalLaboratories

17-21 May 2022

Quality Improvement in Clinical Laboratories

The 23rd International Congressof Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine

28-29 Dec. 2-4Feb.
2022

The Congress of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

13th International Congress of
Medical lab and Clinic

5-9 Feb. 2022

The congress of Medical lab and Clinical34rd International conference on
Pediatric diseases

27-30 Oct. 2022

conference on Pediatric diseases and pediatricNursing

EDUCATION
1. Webinar Laboratory diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and A1C.
2. Webinar Laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia.
3. Webinar Laboratory tests in kidney diseases
4. Webinar Laboratory tests in liver diseases
5. Webinar Basic definitions in the field of immunoassay.
6. Webinar The requirements of the internal quality control program of the immunoassay
department.
7. Webinar Blood sugar: laboratory and bedside.
8. Webinar Lipids and cardiovascular diseases
9. Webinar Eliza technique, date of holding
10. Webinar An overview of the interpretation and application of biochemistry laboratory
formulas
11. Webinar An overview of the interpretation and application of laboratory formulas:quality control - hematology - blood bank
12. Webinar Quality control of basic tools in microbiology department
13. Course Quality control in microbiology department
14. Course Quality control in the test to determine antimicrobial sensitivity (antibiogram)
15. Course Covid-19 vaccination
16. Course Hyalans, hyphomycetes with a transverse wall
17. Course Challenges of quality control in the biochemistry department
18. Course Serology of Covid-19
19. Workshop Risk and cost management training in clinical laboratory
20. Webinar Laboratory aspects of gonadal hormones
21. Webinar Laboratory aspects of cortical hormones of adrenal glands
22. Webinar Laboratory aspects of thyroid hormones
23. Webinar Laboratory aspects of growth hormone and prolactin
24. Webinar Eliza technique in the laboratory
25. Webinar Principles and interpretation of tests for autoimmune diseases289

26. Webinar Alternative evaluation methods to improve quality in medical laboratories
27. Webinar Laboratory tests in kidney diseases
28. Webinar Internal and external quality control in the biochemistry departmentof the medical diagnosis laboratory
29. Webinar Reference domain and domain in biochemistry experiment
30. Webinar Validation and confirmation of bias accuracy in biochemistry testing
31. Webinar Testing errors and allowed errors in biochemistry testing
32. Webinar Investigating the clinical value of genetic biomarkers in leukemias
33. Webinar Dimatiseus mushrooms
34. Webinar Zygomysts
35. Webinar Hemovigilance and blood bank
36. Webinar Complications caused by various types of blood product injections
37. Webinar Erythroid and platelet hematomorphology
38. Webinar Diagnosis of the morphology of lymphoid neoplasms
39. Webinar Challenges of quality control in the biochemistry department
40. Webinar Laboratory diagnosis of the most common superficial skin fungal diseases
41. Webinar Quality control of basic tools in microbiology department
42. Webinar Quality control in microbiology department
43. Webinar Laboratory quality control (uncertainty of quantitative measurements)
44. Webinar Laboratory quality control (certifying inaccuracy and estimating inaccuracy by
CLSI EP15-A3 method
45. Webinar Analysis of information in the clinical laboratory and familiarity with related
statistical software
46. Webinar Final control and interpretation of laboratory results
47. Webinar Challenges of confirmation and validation of biochemical methods
48. Webinar Challenges of confirmation and validation of biochemical methods
49. Webinar Interpretation of graphs and results of advanced counters
50. Webinar Risk and cost management in the clinical laboratory
51. Webinar Introduction of tests related to thyroid 33
52. Webinar Laboratory diagnosis of hypothyroidism
53. Webinar Laboratory diagnosis of hyperthyroidism
54. Webinar Managing the challenges of interpreting thyroid tests
REGIONAL MEETINGS

290

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

IACLD General Assembly

18 May 2022

Elected Board of Directors by the General Assemblyof IACLD

Meeting of the accreditation
institution

4 Jun. 2022

Accreditation coordination meetings IACLD

Assembly of Scientific Associations

20 Jun. 2022

The meeting of the election committee of scientificassociations

IVD Committee

20 Jun. 2022

In Vitro diagnostics technology management meeting

Big Data Committee

29 Jun. 2022

Big Data Project meeting for determine reference
ranges

Education committee

6 Feb. 2022

Education committee meetingAccreditation institution

27 Feb. 2022

Accreditation meeting - Accreditation website

Assembly of Scientific Associations

6 Mar. 2022

The meeting of the election committee of scientificassociations

Assembly of laboratory science
associations

17 Apr. 2022

Problems of laboratories

Comprehensive External Quality
Assessment System (EQAP)

1 Sep. 2022

Review and discuss authentication in program EQAP

Assembly of Laboratory Science
Associations

4 Sep. 2022

The meeting of the Assembly of Laboratory Science
Associations of the country

Assembly of Scientific Associations

23 Oct. 2022

The meeting of the Assembly of Laboratory Science
Associations of the country

Assembly of Scientific Associations

2 Nov. 2022

The meeting of the Assembly of Laboratory Science
Associations of the country

Comprehensive External Quality
Assessment System (EQAP)

4 Aug. 2022

Coordination of planning to improve the program
EQAP

REGIONAL RELATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Relation with Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Relation with Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization
Relation with Pasteur Institute of Iran
Realtion with universities of medical sciences
Relation With Medical scientific associations
Relation with Reference laboratory
Relation with Health reference laboratory
Member of Council of Iranian Scientific Associations

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS• International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC)• Asia-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (APFCB)• Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Executing the External Quality Assurance Program for laboratories across Iran
Publication of a Three-monthly printed Journal in persian called Laboratory & Diagnosis
Executing the eduction courses & education webinars medicine laboratory
Holding meetings of the national assembly of laboratory science associations with the presenceof representatives of associations in laboratory science, pathology and DCLS
Holding meeting with the following organizations:
1. Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran
2. National Medical Device Directorate
3. Ministry of Health and Medical Education
4. Health Reference Laboratory
5. Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran
291

6. The Parliament of Iran
7. Supreme Insurance Council
8. Insurance organizations (Social Security Organization, Armed Forces Social Security
Organization, Iran Health Insurance Organization)
9. Center for Strategic Studies
10. 10. Milad Tower International Conference Center
11. Food and Drug Organization
12. Organization of medical equipment and supplies
13. Scientific Societies Commission
14. Deputy Education Minister of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education

MEXICOFEDERACIÓN NACIONAL DE QUÍMICOSCLÍNICOS (CONAQUIC A.C.)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Academic Conference

November 12, 26
And December 3

Bacterial Co-Infections In Patients With Sars-Cov2
Infection

2nd Virtual National Congress for
March 18, 19 And 20,
the Analysis of Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance2022
and ExpoQuim 2022
Academic Conference

April 30, 2022

COVID 19: Current Situation And Prospects,
Diagnosis And Management

First Knowledge Olympics Young
Promises

August 20, 2022

Biosafety: venous blood samples and microbiolog
emerging parasites

National Congress Of Clinical
Chemists And Expoquim
Guadalajara 2022

September 12 to 17,
2022

Various topics related to the clinical laboratory, 50
invited professors, 10 conferences, 6 symposiums, 1
magisterial conference

Chemical Day Conferences

December 3, 2022

5 master lectures with national and international
speakers on various topics related to the clinicallaboratory

EDUCATION
The National Federation of Clinical Chemists CONAQUIC A.C. brings together 36 professional
associations from the 32 States that make up the Mexican Republic, each one carries out
academic activities endorsed by the Federation, in 2022, 73 academic events were held thattogether represent 3,394 hours of Continuing Education, in addition to this, the Federation held
national events which represent 82 hours of academy, adding a total of 3476 total hours ofContinuing Education in 2022.
The first knowledge Olympics were held trying to bring students closer to the last years of theirprofessional career, for which the knowledge Olympics were given the name of “promising
youngsters” in which Chemistry students from 14 Universities of the country.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Now the only international relationship is with the IFCC
292

MEXICOFEDERACIÓN NACIONAL DE COLEGIOS PROFESIONALES
DE LA QUÍMICA CLÍNICA A.C. (FENACQC)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Assembly

February 5, 2022

IFCC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROPOSAL

June 11, 2022

VIRTUAL CONGRESS REPORT 2022

September 3, 2022

PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF REGIONALSCHOOLSEDUCATION
VIRTUAL ACADEMIC SESSIONS WERE HELD WITH THE FENACQC AWARENESS PROGRAM
DURING EVERY TWO MONTHSIN THE MONTHS OF FEBRUARY TO MARCH THE VIRTUAL PRE-CONGRESS COURSESWERE CARRIED OUT AND THE 2022 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN APRILIN DECEMBER A SPECIAL FORUM WAS HELD FOR CHEMICAL DAY
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

WORK MEETINGSFOR CERTIFICATION

April 9, 2022

REVIEW OF DOCUMENTATION OF APPLICATIONSFOR CERTIFICATION

September 23, 2022

UPDATE OF FORMATS FOR CHEMICALSTO BE CERTIFIED

July 23, 2022

DIGITALIZATION OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESSREGIONAL RELATIONSWITH THE SCHOOLS OF EACH STATE OF THE COUNTRY, WITH THE FACULTY OF MEDICINEOF THE FACULTY OF NUEVO LEON, WITH THE PACAL QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSWITH THE IFCC
WITH QUALITY ACADEMICS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During the last semester of 2022 we had meetings with the congress committee for theorganization of the Congress of Veracruz 2023

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PHILIPPINESPHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
IN CLINICAL LABORATORIES (PCQACL)The Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories (PCQACL) continuously
strengthen its diplomatic relationship and collaboration with the IFCC for continuing educational
activities and development with its regular application to the IFCC Visiting Lecturer Program
despite the global pandemic situation. With this program, the PCQACL is privileged to invite
renowned Speakers in the field of Laboratory Medicine and other relevant medical fields during
the PCQACL Annual Convention. Hence, we are so grateful to the IFCC for being able to invite
the following IFCC- VLP Speakers for the Virtual 19th PCQACL Annual Convention this year.
Dr. Kenneth Andrew Sikaris, BSc(Hons), MBBS, FRCPA, FAACB, FFSc
The IFCC Member to the Committee on Reference Intervals and Decision
Limits, Dr. Kenneth Andrew Sikaris has graced with his virtual presence,
the PCQACL 19th Annual Convention Opening Ceremonies as the Keynote
Speaker addressing over two thousand delegates comprising Pathologists,
Medical Technologists, clinical laboratory Supervisors and Managers withhis Keynote Message on the Introduction of the Global Reference Intervals
Database (GRID) initiative of the IFCC: “Understanding impact of Age/
Gender Reference Intervals”
Jose C. Jara Aguirre, M.D, (DABP),FAACC, FASCP, FCAP
The Medical Director of Clinical Chemistry Laboratory & Point of Care
Testing Division of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine of the Children’s
National Hospital, Washington, DC, Dr. Jose C. Jara Aguirre has also
been one of our invited eminent IFCC-VLP Speakers in the virtual
19th Annual Scientific sessions. He presented the topic “Practicalinvestigation approach for detecting and solving the most common
interferences” held on Sept. 10, 2022.
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

Virtulal 19th PCQACL Annual
Convention

September
8 - 10, 2022

“ Redefining Global Challenges into Quality
Laboratory Standards ”

The Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories (PCQACL) has conducted
its Virtual 19th Annual Convention with the team “Redefining Global Challenges into Quality
Laboratory Standards” held last September 8-10,2022 through an online platform facilitated by
the Progressive Productivity Solutions. This event was well attended and participated by almost
2,000 delegates from the different clinical laboratories and medical institutions nationwide. An
array of scientific lectures and panel discussions by renowned and distinguished Speakers are
all very informative and relevant to the present time. The presentations have really satisfied andfulfilled the gain in knowledge and learning updates of our convention participants.
The PCQACL 19th Annual Convention started with the hybrid Pre-Convention Workshop on
CBC and POCT held on Sept. 7, 2022 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel physically attended by
123 delegates and virtually by 305 participants. The first day of the 3-day main Convention on
September 8, 2022 started with the Opening Ceremonies highlighted by the Keynote Address294

of Dr. Kenneth Andrew Sikaris on the Introduction of the Global Reference Intervals Database(GRID) initiative of the IFCC: “Understanding impact of Age/ Gender Reference Intervals”
and this was followed by the pre-recorded scientific sessions covering the track on Global
Challenges with the following presented lectures on the topics: 1) Plenary lecture: Covid 19- “The Philippine General Hospital Study on SARS-COV2 antibodies” 2) Plenary lectures:
Inclusivity -”New EGFR formula: Removing race from the equation” and 3) “Gender sensitivity inreporting laboratory results”. Another highlight on the first day of the convention is the PCQACLBest Laboratory Practices Contest participated competitively by the different hospitals andclinical laboratories nationwide.
The second day of the convention on Sept.9, 2022 was loaded with the following lectures andpanel discussion topics: 1) Panel Discussion1 - “Role of National Reference Laboratories in
the Philippines in Standardization, 2) Plenary lecture on Miniaturization- “Interactive session:
Interesting cases in electrophoresis” 3) Plenary lecture: “Biofabrication in the Hospital of the
Future – a Filipino experience establishing a 3D printing research laboratory” 4) Plenary lecture:“Updates in Tumor marker analysis”, 5) Plenary lecture: “Value of Cell Free DNA (cfDNA) in Clinical
Testing”, 5) Panel Discussion 2- “Diaspora on the frontlines: a tale of laboratory professionals “,and Panel Discussion 3: “Caring for healthcare workers: Concept of Total Wellness”.
Onward to the third day on Sept. 10, 2022 was the track on Standardization with the following
lectures and panel discussion topics: 1) Panel Discussion 4 - “Standardization: CBC and
PBS”, 2) Panel Discussion 5 - “Standardization: Coagulation studies”, 3) Plenary lecture on
Practical investigation approach for detecting and solving the most common interferences, 4)Plenary lecture on “Achieving standardization through quality method validation program”, 5)
Plenary lecture on “Quality control measures for novel drugs interfering with pre-transfusioncompatibility testing (Daratumumab and Anti-CD47)”, 6) Plenary lecture on the topic “Whatdo Data, Analytics and Tech Leaders Need to do to Adapt, Survive and Thrive in 2022 andBeyond”. This last day of the convention was highlighted with the culminating activities of the
3-day convention and the Closing Ceremonies graced with the virtual presence of Dr. Minerva
P. Calimag, Past President of the Philippine Medical Association as the Guest of Honor.
The PCQACL Continuing Education, Training & Research (CETR) Committee has successfully
conducted the virtual 19th PCQACL Annual Convention and made it possible via Zoom App
online platform through the technical assistance of our IT Provider (Progressive Productivity
Solutions) on the technical issues, queries and concerns of the participants with the guidanceand supervision of the PCQACL Committee on Information, Communication & Technology
System (ICTS).

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EDUCATIONThe Committee on Continuing Education, Training & Research of PCQACL has conducted thefollowing Free Webinars last year:
Title

P.O.W.E.R. 5
Philippines’ Cell Morphology Day

P.O.W.E.R. 6
Transitioning into
the New Normal

Speaker/s

Date

Number ofParticipants

April21, 2022

1,364 registeredparticipants

SysmexPhilippines,
Phiippnes

May31, 2022892 registeredparticipants

Jarc Group
companyJune30, 2022

1,389 registeredparticipants

Mindray
Philippines

Dr. Lara Mae Angeles
Augusttopic: “Challenges and25, 2022
Updates in TB Diagnostics”

1,340 registeredparticipants

LabmatePharma Inc.

Ms. Christine Joy P.
Miranda, RMT

October
31, 2022

1,964 registeredparticipants

Labmate Pharma
Inc.

Dr. Rehab Helmy Mohamed Nov.
Ibrahim24, 2022

1,360 registeredparticipants

Mindray
Philippines

Dec.
28,2022

1,039 registeredparticipants

Roche(Philippines) Inc.

Dr. Francisco Tria IV
topic: “Hamatologic
Malignancies”
Dr. Alejandro E. Arevalo
Topic: “Red Cell Cases”

In Collaboration
with Diagnostic
Industry Partner

Dr. Tse Weitopic: “Utilizing Covid
Panel testing as newalgorithm and beyond”
Mr. Christopher Cotreau
and Dr. Eric Morreale
topic: Elevating Quality:”Assay Verification,
Calibration and Linearity for
SARS-COV2 Testing”

P.O.W.E.R. 7
Taking a Leap Towards Urinalysis Dr. Hu QiongyingStandardization and Quality
Improvement
P.O.W.E.R. 8
Philippines in the battle against
Tuberculosis
P.O.W.E.R. 9
Safe Practice in Blood Grouping
Determination
P.O.W.E.R. 10
Blood Tumor Markers; ClinicalApplications and Laboratory
Assessment; What’s New!
P.O.W.E.R. 11
The Novel Biomarkers for HCC
Surveillance and Early Detection

Dr. Jennifer Thompson

The PCQACL Academy also conducted the Online Certificate Training Program on Peripheral
Blood Smear: Standardization, Updates, and Morphology Review which started on May 19,
2022 up to May 19, 2023 featuring some of the country’s Best Hematopathologists as follows:
1. Arvin C. Faundo, MD, FPSP - lecture topics: “Start right with a Good Blood Smear”
and “Red Blood Cells Disorders”
2. Alejandro E. Arevalo, MD, FPSP – lecture topics: “Lymphocytes, Monocytes, andPlasma Cells”

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3. Januario D. Veloso, MD, FPSP, FCAP- lecture topics: “Neutrophils, Eosinophils,
and Basophils”
4. Rose Lou Marie C. Agbay, MD, FPSP – lecture topics: “Platelets” and “Tips andRecommendations on Final Report”
5. Janelyn Alexis Dy-Ledesma, MD, FPSP- lecture topic: “Resolving Discrepancies
in CBC with the help of Histograms”
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

December 20, 2022

Dr. Marissa A. Orillaza, Chair of PCQACL

Amidst the challenging times of
the COVID-19 pandemic with
the national and international
travel restrictions for safety
reasons, some of the membersof the PCQACL Board ofTrustees still managed andwere able
to attend the following webinars
conducted by the IFCC:ANCLS Annual ForumREGIONAL RELATIONS
and Research has attended this annual forum
Member of Asian Network for Clinical Laboratory Standardization and Harmonization (ANCLS)
Member of Asian - Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (APFCB)PCQACL was a Member of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and this has
given PCQACL the authority to be the distributor of their books and other documents in thePhilippines, procuring of such in bulk and distributing them to facilitate their adoption andimplementation by the clinical laboratories.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSThe PCQACL is an active member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine (IFCC).
The IFCC-Visiting Lecturer Program has always been requested to provide Speakers / Panel
Discussants at the plenary lectures / panel discussions of the PCQACL’s annual conventions,seminar-workshops and other scientific sessions. However, in adherence to the existing COVID- 19 pandemic safety protocols, we just got the opportunity to have our invited IFCC-VLP
Speakers shared their pre-recorded presentations in the Virtual 19 PCQACL Annual Convention.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPCQACL Officers and Board of Trustees, Standing Committees
and Chairpersons for C.Y. 2022
Officers
President: Sarah Jane L. Datay-Lim, MD, FPSP
Vice-President: Paulo Enrico Belen, MD, DPSP

297

Secretary: Estela Marie C. Tanchoco, MD, FPSP, MBA
Treasurer: Gerrick Joseph C. Dolor, RMT
Auditor: Erlinda C. Pijuan, RMT, FPSP
P.R.O.: Anacleta P. Vadez, MD, FPSPAssistant Secretary: Josefina S. Soriano, RMTAssistant Treasurer: Benzon C. Pisico, RMT
Immediate Past President: Emil Bryan M. Garcia, MD, FPSPFounding President: Tomas P. Maramba, Jr., MD, FPSP
Trustees
Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui, MD, FPSP
Edna May Lasap-Go, MD, FPSP
Bernadette R. Espiritu, MD, FPSP
Rodelio D. Lim, MD, FPSP
Auditor: Erlinda C. Pijuan, RMT
P.R.O.: Anacleta P. Vadez, MD, FPSPJoanna Marie S. Carpio, RMTStanding Committees and Chairpersons
Committee on Membership: Maximo A. Saavedra, Jr., MD, FPSPCommittee on Continuing Education, Training & Research: Marissa A. Orillaza, MD, MSCE, FPSPCommittee on Advocacy & International Relations: Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui, MD, FPSPCommittee on Information, Communication & Technology Systems: Benzon C. Pisico, RMTCommittee on Finance: Erlinda C. Pijuan, RMTCommittee on Publications & Public Relations: Anacleta P. Valdez, MD, FPSPCommittee on Annual Convention: Gerrick Joseph C. Dolor, RMTCommittee on By- Laws & Legislation: Anacleta P. Valdez, MD, FPSP / Atty. Joyce Mendoza
Committee on Nominations & Elections: Aileen Riego-Javier, MD, FPSPCommittee on Awards: Edna May Lasap-Go, MD, FPSPCommittee on Special Projects: Januario D. Veloso, MD,FPSP

ROMANIA

ORDER OF THE BIOCHEMISTS, BIOLOGISTS,CHEMISTS IN ROMANIAN HEALTH SYSTEM (OBBCSSR)
NATIONAL MEETINGS

298

Name of the meeting

Date

Topic

The VIII edition of theBronchopulmonary Cancer
Regional Conference(partnership)

16-17 September
2022

Bronchopulmonary Cancer diagnosis, monitoringand prognostic

The Preventionist Conference(partnership)

27-28 May 2022

Role of bacteriology specialists in prevention
and laboratory microbiological diagnosis

EDUCATIONNATIONAL EVENTS• Medical Conferences such as RAML National Conference 25-27 May, XXVIII National
Conference of Clinical Hematology and Transfusion Medicine 5 – 9 October, XV
National Conference on Microbiology and Epidemiology 3-5 November 2022
• Medical Congresses - the XXX National Congress of Endocrinology 19-22 June 2022
• postgraduate courses organized by the faculty of medicine and the faculty of biology,
as well as by the national medical societies
REGIONAL EVENTSThe on-line EFLM Syllabus Course through the EFLM e-learning platform, this major EFLM
educational resource being designated by the EFLM Task Group for Syllabus Course to support
the harmonization of postgraduate education of Specialists in Laboratory Medicine in Europe.
This course includes more than 40 modules covering the four main sections of the EFLM
Syllabus, all available on-line for the OBBCSSR members enrolled into the EFLM Academy.
• The EFLM Lessons in Immunochemistry, a new on-line EFLM educational activity
for EFLM Academy Members wich includes in 2022 a serie of 4 webinars concerning
the immunochemistry markers associated to a specific disease focusing on analyticalaspects and pre/postanalytical issues• The EFLM webinars organized starting from February 8, 2022 (e.g.”Patient-focusedlaboratory medicine: how can we communicate directly with patients”)• The EFLM Postgraduate Course devoloped by the EFLM Working Group on Congresses
and Postgraduate Education “How to write and publish a good scientific andprofessional article” helded on-line 26 October - 15 November 2022
• 3rd EFLM Strategic Conference SMART and GREEN LABORATORIES “Howto implement IVDR, emerging technologies and sustainable practices in medicallaboratories?” 25-27 May 2022 (virtual) available whitout registration fee for the EFLM
Academy Members
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS• The webinars produced on behalf of the IFCC in 2022 attended on-line live or watchingrecordings (e.g.”Laboratory & Analytical Aspects of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin
Assays”, “Reliable biological variation estimates - where to find them and how can theysafely be applied?” etc.)• Other IFCC eAcademy resources e.g webinars series recorded before 2022
REGIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

EFLM General Meeting (Munich)

11.04.2022

OBBCSSR being an Affiliate Member, the National
Representative attended the meeting on-line

24th IFCC-EFLM European
Congress of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine,

10-14 April 2022

Attended on-line

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the 3rd EFLM Strategic
Conference SMART and GREENLABORATORIES

27-28 May 2022

OBBCSSR being an Affiliate Member, the National
Representative attended the meeting on-line

REGIONAL RELATIONS• The NEB General Secretary of OBBCSSR, EuSpLM MSc Dorina Popa, senior medical
biochemist, is the OBBCSSR National Representative for EFLM and NR in the EFLM
Task Force “Green & Sustainable Laboratories”.
• The OBBCSSR Vicepresident, EuSpLM Dr.Georgeta Sorescu, specialist medicalchemist, is a Full Member in the EFLM WG ”Harmonisation” (WG – H).
• The Chairman of the Accreditation and Endorsements Commission of OBBCSSR,
EuSpLM Dr.Adina Elena Stanciu, senior research scientist I and senior medical chemist,
is a Full Member (only for the WG – LMCP) in the WG ”Laboratory Medicine Credit
Points” (WG- LMCP).
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSThe OBBCSSR President, EuSpLM Dr. Constanța Popa, as National Representative for IFCC,• prepared and sent to Dr David Kinniburgh, IFCC Executive Board Secretary, therequested report regarding the activities of our NS during 2021, document includedin the IFCC Annual Report for 2021
• keeped in touch with the the IFCC President, Prof.Khosrow Adeli and the IFCC
Executive Board also with Prof. Tomris Ozben as the EFLM Regional Representative
for time in office March 2022 - December 2023.
• designated the OBBCSSR NR for EFLM, EuSpLM Dorina Popa, as NS Representative
to the IFCC Council meeting helded on-line in Munich April 14 2022
• prepared and sent to IFCC President, Prof.Khosrow Adeli, the OBBCSSR responseto the SM for the Aniversary Conference• designated Mrs. Dorina Popa, EuSpLM, as NS Representative on behalf the OBBCSSR
to the IFCC Council meeting helded on-line in Munich April 14 2022
Both OBBCSSR President Dr. Constanța Popa for IFCC and EuSpLM Dorina Popafor EFLM as OBBCSSR National Representatives are in permanent contact with theseinternational associations of laboratory medicine specialists, concerned also withmediating the scientific events organized and disseminating the information received
through IFCC eNews and EFLM LabNews. Our National Society as IFCC and EFLM
Affiliate Member aggree with any decision/ recommendation according to the EFLM
and IFCC bylaws
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• In order to ensure the permanent improvement of patient safety, Dr. Constanța Popa
and Dr.Georgeta Sorescu published in 2022 the book “Quality control of medical
analysis results” intended for labs management and specialists in laboratory medicine• In December 27 IFCC confirmed trough Dr.Paul Hamilton as Coordinator the OBBCSSR
proposal to organize in September 11 2023 the webinar “ Laboratory medicine– a critical role for patients in disease diagnosis and monitoring” within the IFCC
webinar series.

300

SERBIASERBIAN SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL LABORATORYMEDICINE AND SCIENCE (SCLM)
NATIONAL MEETINGSName of the meeting

Date

Topic

The first memorial scientificprofessional conference”Predrag Maric”

February 11, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

12th Serbian Congressof Diabetes with international
participation

March 20-25, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

9th Congress of the Associationof Preventive Pediatrics of Serbia
with international participation

March 31- April 02,
2022,
Sokobanja, Serbia

9th Congress of the Association of Preventive
Pediatrics of Serbia with international participation

The Third Conference of Private
Sector Health Workers

May 7-8, 2022,

The Third Conference of Private Sector HealthWorkers

National seminar: Modern
laboratory diagnostics
in translational research andclinical work

May 13-14, 2022,
Sokobanja, Serbia

Invited lecture

Fabry expert meeting

May 16, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

Abbott Quality Day 2022

September 2nd, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

VI Congress of Associationof Coronary Units of Serbia withinternational participation

September 16-18,
2022,
Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia

Invited lecture
Scientific Committee Membership

Challenges and opportunities
in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's
disease - present and future

November 18-19,
2022, Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

50th Symposium
Novelties in medicine

December 5-9, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

Name of the meeting

Date

Society’s contribution for the meeting

7 Serbian Biomarker
Symposium-2022 SERBIS:
Prevention in focus

March 17-18, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Congress President

The First World Conference:Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic- Health Challenges. Collective
knowledge. Global health.

March 26-28, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

20th CardioS
International congress of clinicalcardiology and heart failure

April 08-09, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Scientific Committee Membership
Invited lecture

TEUROMEDLAB 2021 – 24th
IFCC-EFLM European Congressof Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine

April 10-14, 2022,
Munich, Germany

WG meetings
Abstract presentations

REGIONAL MEETINGSth

301

10th Santorini Conference- Systems Medicine andPersonalised Health & Therapy

May 23-26, 2022,
Santorini, Greece

Invited lecture

IFCC WORLDLAB 2022,
24th International Congressof Clinical Chemistry andLaboratory Medicine & 16th
Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical
Biochemistry

June 26-30, 2022,
Seoul, South Korea

Invited lecture

Serbian conference
on interventional cardiology,
cardiovascular imaging
and drug therapy-SINERGY 2022

September 08-09, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Invited lecture

AFCB- EFLM LM4MS
Second Conference. Laboratory
medicine for mobile societies
in our area

October 02-05, 2022,
Creta, Greece

Invited lecture

ESPT Congress 2022

November 09-10, 2022,
Belgrade, Serbia

Congress President
Session chairmanship

Journées de l’Innovation
en Biologie JIB 2022

December 1-2, 2021,
Paris, France

Invited lecture

REGIONAL RELATIONSIFCC General Conference, October 28-31, Brussels, Belgium
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSIFCC Affiliate Membership
IFCC Communications and Publications Division (CPD)
eJIFCC (WG-eJIFCC), Sanja Stankovic
IFCC ETD Committee on Mobile Health and Bioengineering in Laboratory Medicine (C-MHBLM),
Sanja Stankovic
EFLM Science Committee
EFLM WG: Cardiac Markers, Corresponding Member Sanja Stankovic
EFLM Task Force: Green and Sustainable Laboratories (GSL) Sanja Stankovic
EFLM Communication Committee
Task Group “European Lab Day” Sanja Stankovic
European Society of Pharmacogenomics and Personalised Therapy (ESPT)General Secretary/Board Member Sanja Stankovic
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSCLM joined the EFLM Academy (55 members in 2022)

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IFCC OFFICE
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20159 Milan – ITALY
Tel: +39 02 66809912
e-mail: ifcc@ifcc.org
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