Background/Objective: Laboratory tests are generally used for the purposes of screening, diagnosis and management of diseases. Laboratory test results are useful for making decisions in clinical practice. This is effected by the application of the various decision-making tools.
Method: Salient articles bordering on decision-making using laboratory results in clinical biochemistry/chemical pathology were searched for using Google search engine. Relevant local and international journals were reviewed.
Result: Decision-making using laboratory results involve the application of the following tools: reference intervals, critical values, diagnostic cut-off
values, therapeutic window limits, diagnostic criteria, algorithms and clinical practice guidelines.
Conclusion: The use of the decision-making tools singly or in combination
aids the processes of disease diagnosis and management
Key words: Chemical pathology, Laboratory tests, Laboratory results, Decision-making tools
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