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Objectives The aim was to evaluate the stability of serum bicarbonate at room temperature, depending on time to centrifugation and air exposure. Methods Stability study was conducted in the laboratory of Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Croatia in January-February 2022. Nine samples from 10 volunteers were collected in clot activator gel tubes (Greiner Bio-One). Bicarbonate was measured on Beckman Coulter AU480 (Beckman Coulter, Brea, USA). Three tubes were left at room temperature for 30 min, three tubes for 2 h, three tubes for 4 h until centrifugation. First tube from first group (baseline) was measured immediately after centrifugation. Other measurements were expressed as percentage deviation (PD%) from baseline. First tube was remeasured after 1 and 2 h (OT_0h_1h; OT_0h_2h). Second and third tubes were opened 1 and 2 h after centrifugation (C_0h_1h; C_0h_2h). Second group of tubes was processed the same way with 2-hour centrifugation delay (WB_2h; OT_2h_1h; OT_2h_2h; C_2h_1h; C_2h_2h), and third group with 4-hour delay (WB_4h; OT_4h_1h; OT_4h_2h; C_4h_1h; C_4h_2h). PD% was compared to Maximum Permissible Difference (MPD=5.69%). MedCalc statistical software was used (MedCalc, Ostend, Belgium). Results Bicarbonate baseline mean value (range) was 27.3 (23.4–29.6) mmol/L. Obtained PD% (95%CI) were: C_0h_1h 0.46 (−1.21, 2.12); C_0h_2h 0.18 (−2.22, 2.57); OT_0h_1h −6.46 (−7.57, −5.36); OT_0h_2h −10.67 (−12.13, −9.21); WB_2h −0.15 (−2.04, 1.74); C_2h_1h 0.01 (−1.52, 1.54); C_2h_2h −0.40 (−2.65, 1.85); OT_2h_1h −5.43 (−7.30, −3.55); OT_2h_2h −11.32 (−13.57, −9.07); WB_4h −0.85 (−3.28, 1.58); C_4h_1h −2.52 (−4.93, 0.11); C_4h_2h −3.02 (−5.62, 0.43); OT_4h_1h −7.34 (−9.64, −5.05); OT_4h_2h −11.85 (−14.38, −9.33). Conclusions Serum bicarbonate is stable for 4 h in closed uncentrifuged tubes, another 2 h in closed tubes after centrifugation, and is unstable within 1 h in opened tube.

Introduction: Vitamin D testing is excessively used in clinical practice, despite of the clinical guidelines statements against population screening for vitamin D deficiency. This study aimed to assess an annual number of performed 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) tests that were unsupported by the national guidelines for prevention, detection and therapy of vitamin D deficiency in adults and to calculate associated financial burden for the publicly funded healthcare. Materials and methods: A representative sample of requested 25(OH)D tests in 2018 (N = 474) was formed after selection and randomisation of data set (N = 5298) collected from the laboratory information system database of the Clinical Department for Laboratory Diagnostics, the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka. Records were classified in two groups depending on associated medical condition(s) according to the national guidelines. An annual cost of the total and group specific vitamin D testing was calculated on the base of a single test price reimbursed by the Croatian Healthcare Insurance Fund (CHIF). Results: Medical conditions with high-risk for vitamin D deficiency were detected in 43% (206/474) of vitamin D requests (group 1). Conditions not associated with vitamin D deficiency were detected in 57% (268/474) requests (group 2). A total cost of 25(OH)D testing for the CHIF was 58,729.50 EUR (25,523.79 EUR in the group 1 and 33,205.71 EUR in the group 2). Conclusions: More than half of all 25(OH)D tests performed in the clinical laboratory represent avoidable cost for the public healthcare. Prevention of population screening by vitamin D testing is needed.

Background:The aim of our study was to perform verification of serum indices on three clinical chemistry platforms.Methods:This study was done on three analyzers: Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 (BC) and Roche Cobas 6000 c501. The following analytical specifications were verified: precision (two patient samples), accuracy (sample with the highest concentration of interferent was serially diluted and measured values compared to theoretical values), comparability (120 patients samples) and cross reactivity (samples with increasing concentrations of interferent were divided in two aliquots and remaining interferents were added in each aliquot. Measurements were done before and after adding interferents).Results:Best results for precision were obtained for the H index (0.72%–2.08%). Accuracy for the H index was acceptable for Cobas and BC, while on Architect, deviations in the high concentration range were observed (y=0.02 [0.01–0.07]+1.07 [1.06–1.08]x). All three analyzers showed acceptable results in evaluating accuracy of L index and unacceptable results for I index. The H index was comparable between BC and both, Architect (Cohen’s κ [95% CI]=0.795 [0.692–0.898]) and Roche (Cohen’s κ [95% CI]=0.825 [0.729–0.922]), while Roche and Architect were not comparable. The I index was not comparable between all analyzer combinations, while the L index was only comparable between Abbott and BC. Cross reactivity analysis mostly showed that serum indices measurement is affected when a combination of interferences is present.Conclusions:There is heterogeneity between analyzers in the hemolysis, icteria, lipemia (HIL) quality performance. Verification of serum indices in routine work is necessary to establish analytical specifications.

SUMMARY This paper deliberates on the place and role of informed consent in everyday clinical laboratory practice. Taking into account international ethical guidelines such as the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association, and Croatian national laws and codes such as the Act on the Protection of Patients’ Rights, the Act on Medical Biochemistry, the Code of Ethics of Medical Biochemists and Medical Deontology, the Act on Healthcare Services, and the Code of Ethics of the Croatian Chamber of Healthcare Workers, an overview is given on the actual implementation of the aforementioned recommendations and regulations. A distinction between consent to a medical procedure and consent to enrolment in a research protocol is strongly stressed out. Special emphasis is placed on the role of specialists in laboratory medicine and masters of medical biochemistry in the process of obtaining informed consent. The design of an ‘informed consent interview’ is to be taken into consideration. Additional deliberation is needed on the option of ‘broad consent’. It is concluded that informed consent should represent an important and routine activity within Croatian clinical laboratories.

This paper deliberates on the place and role of informed consent in everyday clinical laboratory practice. Taking into account interna-tional ethical guidelines such as the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association, and Croatian national laws and codes such as the Act on the Protection of Patients’ Rights, the Act on Medical Biochemistry, the Code of Ethics of Medical Biochemists and Medical Deontology, the Act on Healthcare Services, and the Code of Ethics of the Croatian Chamber of Healthcare Workers, an overview is given on the actual implementation of the aforemen-tioned recommendations and regulations. A distinction between consent to a medical procedure and consent to enrolment in a re-search protocol is strongly stressed out. Special emphasis is placed on the role of specialists in laboratory medicine and masters of medical biochemistry in the process of obtaining informed consent. The design of an ‘informed consent interview’ is to be taken into consideration. Additional deliberation is needed on the option of ‘broad consent’. It is concluded that informed consent should repre-sent an important and routine activity within Croatian clinical laboratories., Rad se bavi mjestom i ulogom informiranog pristanka u svakodnevnoj kliničkoj laboratorijskoj praksi. Uzimajući u obzir međunarodne etičke smjernice kao što su UNESCO-va Opća deklaracija o bioetici i ljudskim pravima, Helsinška deklaracija Svjetskog medicinskog udruženja te hrvatske nacionalne zakone i kodekse kao što su Zakon o zaštiti prava pacijenata, Zakon o medicinsko-biokemijskoj djelatnosti, Etički kodeks medicinskih biokemičara i medicinske deontologije, Zakon o djelatnostima u zdravstvu te Etički kodeks Hrvatske komore zdravstvenih radnika daje se pregled aktualne primjene navedenih preporuka i propisa. Naglašava se potreba za razlikovanjem pristanka na medicinski postupak od pristanka na sudjelovanje u istraživanju. Ističe se uloga specijalista laboratorijske medicine i magistara medicinske biokemije u procesu informi-ranog pristanka. Sugerira se kreiranje ‘intervjua informiranog pristanka’. Potrebna je daljnja rasprava o mogućnosti uvođenja ‘opće suglasnos-ti’. Zaključno, informirani pristanak trebao bi predstavljati značajnu i uobičajenu aktivnost u kliničkim laboratorijima u Hrvatskoj.

Informed consent is a process in which a human subject who is to participate in research needs to give his or her consent after being properly informed of the expected benefits as well as the potential harm of the research that will be performed. The function and purpose of the research ethics committee is to ensure that the research that will take place is in accordance with the relevant ethical standards. This means that the committee must assess the appropriateness of the design of the study reviewed. Research in the field of laboratory medicine has specific features, i.e. the use of samples that remain after routine analysis, data collection from databases containing patient information, data mining, collection of laboratory management data, method/instrument comparisons and validation, etc. As most of such research is either retrospective or not directly associated with patients, the question arises as to whether all types of research require informed consent and ethics committee approval. This article aims to clarify what is specific about obtaining informed consent and ethical approval in laboratory medicine, to provide general guidance on informed consent and ethical approval requirements based on the type of study, and what information should be included in applications for ethical approval and informed consent. This could also provide some guidance for future contributors to the Biochemia Medica.

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate if: (a) authors of Biochemia Medica meet authorship criteria given by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), (b) authorship violations are more frequent in submissions containing some type of scientific misconduct. Materials and methods: Self-reported authorship contributions regarding the three ICMJE criteria were analysed for all submissions to Biochemia Medica (February 2013-April 2015) which were forwarded to peer-review. To test the differences in frequencies we used Chi-squared test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 186 manuscripts were authored by 804 authors. All ICMJE criteria were met by 487/804 (61%) authors. The first and the last author met all the criteria more frequently than those authors in between (P < 0.001). The degree to which ICMJE criteria was met for the first author did not differ between manuscripts authored by only one author and those authored by >1 author (P = 0.859). In 9% of the manuscripts ICMJE criteria were not met by a single author. Authors of the 171/186 manuscripts declared that all persons qualify for authorship but only 49% of them satisfied all ICMJE criteria. Authors have failed to acknowledge contributors in 88/186 (47%) manuscripts; instead these contributors have been listed as authors without fulfilling ICMJE criteria. Authorship violation was not more common in 42 manuscripts with some type of scientific misconduct (P = 0.135). Conclusion: Large proportion of authors of the manuscripts submitted to Biochemia Medica do not fulfil ICMJE criteria. Violation of authorship criteria is not more common for manuscripts with some type of scientific misconduct.

Objectives Despite the standardization of the phlebotomy procedure, blood analysis is occasionally requested after recommended hours with the excuse that the patient is still fasting. We aimed to examine the influence of prolonged fasting and mild physical activity on routine laboratory tests. Design and methods The study was conducted on 30 volunteers (27 female) median age 40 y (20–59). Blood samples were taken in the morning (7:00–8:00 a.m.) and early afternoon (1:00–2:00 p.m.) after prolonged fasting and usual daily activities. Serum glucose (GLU), urea, creatinine, triglyceride, uric acid (UA), iron and electrolytes were analyzed on Roche cobas 6000 c501 and complete blood count on Siemens ADVIA 2120i. Statistical significance between the two measurements was tested using paired t-test or Wilcoxon test according to data distribution. Clinical significance was judged against calculated reference change values (RCV). Results A statistically significant decrease was found for red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), GLU, urea, creatinine, triglycerides and electrolytes, whereas white blood cell count and iron were significantly increased. Judging against desirable bias derived from biological variation, a significant change was found for all the analytes except MCV, platelet count, UA and triglycerides. A clinically significant change was not found for any of the tested analytes when compared to RCV. Conclusions Prolonged fasting and mild activity will not influence the medical decision for healthy subjects with normal results. Despite the present statistically significant change, the clinically significant change was not shown. However, the study did not include pathological results which have to be interpreted more carefully.

In January 2016 an interesting discussion on World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) Listserve was initiated among WAME members. The subject of this discussion was a case of Indian author without a surname and his problems during manuscript submission in a journal. This case presented a completely new aspect of authorship issue to us at Biochemia Medica, as until now we have not yet encountered such problem in our Journal. We therefore thought this could be an interesting topic for a discussion in Biochemia Medica, since many other cultures have come across different and specific problems regarding their names. In this issue we thus present contributions by four eminent scientists and editors who have agreed to submit a paper to Biochemia Medica and share with our readers their view on this subject. Our aim with this series of short contributions was to raise awareness of the editors, publishers, authors and readers about this issue and to explore different perspectives and opportunities for the identification of authors.

Studies with positive results are greatly more represented in literature than studies with negative results, producing so-called publication bias. This review aims to discuss occurring problems around negative results and to emphasize the importance of reporting negative results. Underreporting of negative results introduces bias into meta-analysis, which consequently misinforms researchers, doctors and policymakers. More resources are potentially wasted on already disputed research that remains unpublished and therefore unavailable to the scientific community. Ethical obligations need to be considered when reporting results of studies on human subjects as people have exposed themselves to risk with the assurance that the study is performed to benefit others. Some studies disprove the common conception that journal editors preferably publish positive findings, which are considered as more citable. Therefore, all stakeholders, but especially researchers, need to be conscious of disseminating negative and positive findings alike.

Peer review is widely used system for evaluating manuscripts prior to publication. It has been and still is widely used tool for making justified and fair editorial decision. However, the evidence of its efficacy is limited and it has been criticized to be time-consuming, biased, inconsistent, conservative, and open to abuse. As a result, researchers, editors and policymakers have questioned its objectivity and purpose. Nevertheless, this should not be the reason for abandoning the principles of peer review, but to make the additional efforts towards its improvement. Therefore, this Research Integrity Corner aims to describe basic principles of peer review and to introduce Biochemia Medica's guidelines for peer reviewers. Our intention is to help our peer reviewers provide evaluations that are as fair and objective as possible, while helping the journal publish innovative research of the highest quality.

Salami publication or segmented publication is a distinct form of redundant publication which is usually characterized by similarity of hypothesis, methodology or results but not text similarity. These aspects of publications are not objectively detected by software applications and therefore present a serious threat to publication ethics. This article presents a practical approach for dealing with manuscripts suspected of salami publication during the submission process and after article publication in Biochemia Medica.

Self-plagiarism is a controversial issue in scientific writing and presentation of research data. Unlike plagiarism, self-plagiarism is difficult to interpret as intellectual theft under the justification that one cannot steal from oneself. However, academics are concerned, as self-plagiarized papers mislead readers, do not contribute to science, and bring undeserved credit to authors. As such, it should be considered a form of scientific misconduct. In this paper, we explain different forms of self-plagiarism in scientific writing and then present good editorial policy toward questionable material. The importan-ce of dealing with self-plagiarism is emphasized by the recently published proposal of Text Recycling Guidelines by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Introduction: Cobas 6000 (Roche, Germany) is biochemistry analyzer for spectrophotometric, immu-noturbidimetric and ion-selective determination of biochemical analytes. Hereby we present analytical validation with emphasis on method performance judgment for routine operation. Materials and methods: Validation was made for 30 analytes (metabolites, enzymes, trace ele-ments, specific proteins and electrolytes). Research included determination of within-run (N = 20) and between-run imprecision (N = 30), inaccuracy (N = 30) and method comparison with routine analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU640) (N = 50). For validation of complete analytical process we calculated total error (TE). Results were judged according to quality specification criteria given by European Working Group. Results: Within-run imprecision CVs were all below 5% except for cholesterol, triglycerides, IgA and IgM. Between-run CVs for all analytes were below 10%. Analytes that did not meet the required speci-fications for imprecision were: total protein, albumin, calcium, sodium, chloride, immunoglobulins and HDL cholesterol. Analytes that did not fulfill requirements for inaccuracy were: total protein, calcium, sodium and chloride. Analytes that deviated from quality specifications for total error were: total pro-tein, albumin, calcium, sodium, chloride and IgM. Passing-Bablok regression analysis provided linear equation and 95% confidence interval for intercept and slope. Complete accordance with routine ana-lyzer Beckman Coulter AU640 showed small number of analytes. Other analytes showed small pro-portional and/or small constant difference and therefore need to be adjusted for routine operation. Conclusions: Regarding low CV values, tested analyzer has satisfactory accuracy and precision and is extremely stable. Except for analytes that are coherent on both analyzers, some analytes require adjustments of slope and intercept for complete accordance.

Uvod: Izvananalitička faza izvor je najvećeg djela pogrješaka u laboratorijskoj praksi. Presječno istraživanje temeljeno na upitniku o učestalosti pojedinih postupaka izvananalitičke faze laboratorijskog rada učinjeno je među članovima Hrvatske komore medicinskih biokemičara (HKMB) u svrhu procjene stanja. Materijali i metode: Anonimnim upitnikom s 20 pitanja zatvorenog tipa ispitana je učestalost (Likertova ljestvica; nikad = 1, rijetko = 2,č esto = 3 i uvijek = 4) pojedinih postupaka izvananalitič ke faze laboratorijske dijagnostike među članovima HKMB (N = 538). Odgovori na pitanja izraženi su prosječnom ocjenom 1,00-4,00. Pitanja su nadalje podijeljena u tri skupine te je za svaku izračunata prosječna ocjena: kriteriji prihvatljivosti uzorka, postupci vađenja krvi, izvještavanje nalaza te pitanje o bilježenju nesukladnosti u radu. Rezultati: Udio ispitanika koji su odgovorili na anketu bio je 27%. Od ukupnog broja ispitanika 93% su žene, 58% diplomirani inženjeri medicinske biokemije i 42% specijalisti medicinske biokemije. Prikupljeni su podatci o vrsti ustanove u kojoj djeluje laboratorij te o informatičkoj pismenosti ispitanika. Prosječna ocjena svih postupaka (aritmetička sredina ± standardna devijacija) iznosila je 3,12 ± 0,38. Nema statistički značajne razlike s obzirom na vrstu ustanove, stupanj usavršavanja i informatičku pismenost niti povezanosti prosječne ocjene i dobi. Ocjena postupaka vađenja krvi (2,83 ± 0,46) najniža je od ocjena triju skupina pitanja (P < 0,001), slijedi ocjena izvještavanja rezultata (3,19 ± 0,48) te ocjena kriterija prihvatljivosti uzoraka (3,33 ± 0,49). Nesukladnosti u radu nikad ili rijetko bilježi 21% ispitanika, a često i uvijek 79%. Zaključci: Rezultati upućuju na žurnu potrebu za unaprjeđenjem postupaka izvananalitičke faze laboratorijske dijagnostike, napose postupaka u svezi s vađenjem krvi. Za postizanje visokih standarda kvalitete nužna je intenzivna izobrazba sveg osoblja uključenog u sve faze laboratorijske dijagnostike., Introduction: Extra-analytical phase is the source of most of the errors in laboratory practice. A cross-sectional survey study was performed among members of Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemists (CCMB) aimed to investigate the status of extra-analytical phase in Croatia. Materials and methods: Results were collected from members of CCMB (N = 538) using anonymous questionnaire with 20 Likert scaled questions testing self-reported frequency (never = 1, rarely = 2, often = 3, always = 4) of procedures of the pre-analytical phase. Answers were expressed as average score ranging from 1.00 to 4.00 for all questions. Questions were further divided in three groups, which average score was calculated accordingly: criteria of acceptance of sample, procedures of phlebotomy, test results reporting. Question on recording of nonconformities was separately evaluated. Results: The response rate was 27%. Subject were 93% women, 58% medical biochemists with master degree and 42% specialist in medical biochemistry. Type of institution and informatics skills were also recorded. The average overall score was (mean ± standard deviation) 3.12 ± 0.38. There was no difference regarding type of laboratory institution, professional degree or computer skills and no correlation between score and age. Procedures of phlebotomy score (2.83 ± 0.46) achieved the lowest (P < 0.001) out of the three scores calculated (criteria of acceptance of sample: 3.33 ± 0.49; reporting of results 3.19 ± 0.48). Twenty one percent of participants never or rarely record nonconformities, whereas 79% often or always do. Conclusion: Results clearly highlight the urgent need for improving activities in the extra-analytical phase, especially phlebotomy procedures. Reinforced education of all the personnel involved, appropriate recording and monitoring of extra-analytical phase is necessary to reach high quality standards.

Endogenous interferences are an important source of biased laboratory results. Hemolysis, lipemia and icteria are the main source of endogenous interference in laboratory medicine. Accreditation according to ISO 15189 improves the overall quality of the laboratory procedures. The aim of our study was i) to assess the level of knowledge of Croatian medical biochemists about the proper detection and management of hemolysis, lipemia and icteria; and ii) to identify possible differences in the level of knowledge respective to the laboratory accreditation status.An on-line self-report survey was carried out by the Working Group for Preanalytical Phase of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine during April to May 2015. Survey included 14 statements (Q1–Q14) about procedures for samples with interferences and participants were asked to assess the degree of agreement with the statement using a 4-point Likert scale.The lowest level of knowledge was observed for statements Q10 (dealing with icteric sample; 40.9% participants agreed with the correct procedure), Q12 (allowable error for interference; 47.2%) and Q11 (dealing with lipemic sample; 60.1%). Almost all participants (97.4%) agreed that laboratories in Croatia should have a harmonized protocol for management of samples with interferences. Participants from accredited laboratories showed higher knowledge of hemolysis detection (p=0.031), rejection of hemolyzed sample (pCroatian laboratories have a good knowledge of the proper detection and management of hemolyzed, icteric and lipemic samples. Accreditation is associated with higher knowledge about management of samples with interferences.

Recent findings of authorship criteria violations in the manuscripts submitted to Biochemia Medica show that almost 40% of authors do not meet necessary criteria for authorship and thus indicate the need for better dissemination of editorial policy on authorship in our journal. We believe that such cases are mostly due to the authors’ unawareness or the lack of understanding of the authorship criteria. With this article we therefore wish to declare our editorial policy on authorship and authorship criteria. Biochemia Medica endorses the authorship policy provided by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Information on authorship is assessed by self-reported authorship claims during on-line manuscript submission. Those who meet ICMJE criteria shall be listed as authors, and all listed authors shall fulfill ICMJE criteria. All authors should be responsible for content of the article and have to know other authors’ contributions to the study. Biochemia Medica will follow recommendations provided by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) flowcharts for possible disputes. By adhering to this procedure we hope to raise awareness about the importance of compliance with ICMJE authorship recommendations.

Uvod: Pogrešan omjer krvi i tekućeg antikoagulansa zbog uzorkovanja manje količine krvi od propisane, može biti uzrokom pogrešnih rezultata. Cilj ovog rada je ispitati utjecaj premale količine uzorka na rezultate krvne slike. Materijali i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno u Kliničkom zavodu za laboratorijsku dijagnostiku KBC-a Rijeka od prosinca 2014. do ožujka 2015. Svi su uzorci uzeti u epruvete BD Vacutainer® (Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) s tekućim K3EDTA antikoagulansom i propisanom volumenom uzorka 3 mL. Parametri krvne slike određeni su na analizatoru Advia 2120i (Siemens, Dublin, Ireland). Za svaki nepropisno uzorkovani uzorak (

Plagiarism remains at the top in terms of interest to the scientific community. In its many vicious forms, patchwork plagiarism is characterized by numerous unresolved issues and often passes “below the radar” of editors and reviewers. The problem of detecting the complexity of misconduct has been partially resolved by plagiarism detection software. However, interpretation of relevant reports is not always obvious or easy. This article deals with plagiarism in general and patchwork plagiarism in particular, as well as related problems that editors must deal with to maintain the integrity of scientific journals.

Phlebotomy is one of the most complex medical procedures in the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients in healthcare. Since laboratory test results are the basis for a large proportion (60-80%) of medical decisions, any error in the phlebotomy process could have serious consequences. In order to minimize the possibility of errors, phlebotomy procedures should be standardised, well-documented and written instructions should be available at every workstation. Croatia is one of the few European countries that have national guidelines for phlebotomy, besides the universally used CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute) H3-A6 Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens by Venipuncture; approved Standard-Sixth Edition (CLSI, 2007) and WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (WHO, 2010). However, the growing body of evidence in importance of preanalytical phase management resulted in a need for evidence based revision and expansion of existing recommendations. The Croatian Society for Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Working Group for the Preanalytical Phase issued this recommendation. This document is based on the CLSI guideline H3-A6, with significant differences and additional information.

Normalized MEDx chart coupled with Quality Goal Index for evaluation of analytical quality achievements and quality shortcomings. A novel perspective to its further application.

Background: This cross-sectional multicentric survey study aimed to assess the quality of the extra-analytical phase of laboratory activities in some developing European countries and Mexico. We assessed the quality of the extra-analytical practices in participating laboratories regarding the: a) sample acceptance criteria; b) phlebotomy procedures; c) test results reporting and d) recording non-conformities. Methods: A survey was performed during the April–May 2009. A total of 15 clinical laboratories from the following countries were included: Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Questions were scored (scores from 1–4) and average scores was calculated for each category. Results: The overall score for all respondents (n=443) was 3.10±0.33. The average score was 3.11±0.56 for sample acceptance criteria, 2.76±0.58 for phlebotomy and 3.34± 0.53, for test results reporting (F=116.49; p Conclusions: The overall quality of the extra-analytical practices in countries in this survey is not satisfactory. Phlebotomy practices are the most critical extra-analytical activity. Since laboratory accreditation was associated with better practices and higher overall quality of the extra-analytical procedures, we believe that the most significant improvement could be made by implementing the total quality management system and standardizing laboratory procedures.

In February 2013, Biodhemia Medica has joined CrossRef, which enabled us to implement CrossCheck plagiarism detection service. Therefore, all manuscript submitted to Biodchemia Medica are now first assigned to Research integrity editor (RIE), before sending the manuscript for peer-review. RIE submits the text to CrossCheck analysis and is responsible for reviewing the results of the text similarity analysis. Based on the CrossCheck analysis results, RIE subsequently provides a recommendation to the Editor-in-chief (EIC) on whether the manuscript should be forwarded to peer-review, corrected for suspected parts prior to peer-review or immediately rejected. Final decision on the manuscript is, however, with the EIC. We hope that our new policy and manuscript processing algorithm will help us to further increase the overall quality of our Journal.