The interpretative competence of clinical chemists in toxicology

The role of laboratories, and especially the role of clinical chemists, in the detection of disease based on the action of toxins (intoxication) is not well defined. Clinical staff usually share the opinion that laboratory analytics are performed only to confirm their judgment and to fill the patient’s administrative documentation, but have no influence on the course of treatment. An additional embarrassment is the continuing education and the lack of properly educated personnel for toxicological analytics. Such consideration is changed because techniques and knowledge in (clinical) laboratories have developed. There is a high level of agreement in literature about the frequency of different intoxications. Clinical laboratories with their facilities perform a number of analyses that can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of intoxication. Such analyses include, among others, complete blood count, concentration of sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, glucose, calcium, magnesium, albumin, INR, liver tests, anion gap, serum osmolality and osmolality gap, blood gas analysis and some enzymes (CHE, CK). With proper interpretation, such data can be helpful and of benefit for intoxicated patients. MAKSIMILIJAN GORENJAK ( ) Clinical Chemistry Department University Clinical Centre Maribor