PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Smellie, W S A
AU  - Hampton, K K
AU  - Bowlees, R
AU  - Martin, S C
AU  - Shaw, N
AU  - Hoffman, J
AU  - Ng, J P
AU  - Mackenzie, S M
AU  - van Heyningen, C
TI  - Best practice in primary care pathology: review 8
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.2006.044719
DP  - 2007 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 740--748
VI  - 60
IP  - 7
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/60/7/740.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/60/7/740.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol2007 Jul 01; 60
AB  - This eighth best practice review examines four series of common primary care questions in laboratory medicine: (i) sodium abnormalities; (ii) faecal occult blood testing; (iii) warfarin management; and (iv) sputum cytology in diagnosis of bronchopulmonary malignancy. The review is presented in question–answer format, referenced for each question series. The recommendations represent a précis 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 rather than evidence-based. They will be updated periodically to take account of new information.