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The pathway for introducing novel examination procedures in routine practice in accordance with ISO 15189:2012: 17-Hydroxy progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and vitamin D as examples

Background In a medical laboratory, changes may be made to the analytical phase of diagnostic testing whenever a new test or the issue of a ‘new generation’ kit or new diagnostic system is required. In such cases, ISO 15189:2012 accreditation can assist laboratory professionals. The aim of the present study was to propose a working pathway for introducing new examination procedures into clinical practice in accordance with the ISO 15189:2012 standard, through the exemplars of 17-hydroxy progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and vitamin D. Methods The working pathway includes the following steps: (i) analysing examination procedures under evaluation, (ii) analysing examination procedures currently in use, (iii) verifying metrological traceability, (iv) verifying examination procedures and (v) evaluating comparability of results. Results The analysis of instructions for use issued by manufacturers revealed that metrological traceability was reported only for vitamin D. The imprecision verification was satisfactory, the imprecision obtained by the laboratory in terms of total imprecision always being less than the specified total imprecision. In only one case (IQC level 1, 17-hydroxy progesterone), the total upper verification limit was calculated. The trueness verification was satisfactory for all examination procedures, except for 17-hydroxy progesterone (second material). Passing–Bablok regression analyses in the comparability study demonstrated significant differences for all the examination procedures. Conclusions The working pathway described for examination procedures in routine practice is in accordance with the requirements of ISO 15189:2012 accreditation and takes feasibility into account (as its main goal), based on the cost/patient benefit ratio.