PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Smellie, W S A
AU  - Forth, J
AU  - Ryder, S
AU  - Galloway, M J
AU  - Wood, A C
AU  - Watson, I D
TI  - Best practice in primary care pathology: review 5
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.2006.037754
DP  - 2006 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 1229--1237
VI  - 59
IP  - 12
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/59/12/1229.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/59/12/1229.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol2006 Dec 01; 59
AB  - This fifth best practice review examines three series of common primary care questions in laboratory medicine: (1) minor liver function test abnormalities; (2) laboratory monitoring of patients receiving lithium; and (3) investigation of possible venous thromboembolism. The review is presented in question–answer format, referenced for each question series. The recommendations represent a precis of guidance found using a standardised literature search of national and international guidance notes, consensus statements, health policy documents and evidence-based medicine reviews, supplemented by Medline Embase searches to identify relevant primary research documents. They are not standards but form a guide to be set in the clinical context. Most are consensus-based rather than evidence-based. They will be updated periodically to take account of new information.