It’s 16.10 on a Friday afternoon on a busy on-call day: you have just managed to find the time to review and action your lab results:
37 results in the inbox… here we go…
 

• Is this serious? Does the patient need admission to hospital today?
• It’s just out of the reference range – shall I consider that normal and tick as ‘no action required’?
• Should I just repeat the test, but what testing interval is appropriate?
• Are there other tests to request that may help in the diagnosis and management?

To answer these questions, and many more, the book is split into two main sections:

Clinical chapters covering clinical biochemistry, haematology, immunology and rheumatology, and microbiology, which review:

• Managing individual abnormal test results

• Background information
• Causes
• History and examination
• Investigations: initial and further tests to consider
• Referral
• GP management tips

• The role of specific tests

• Indications for use
• Interpretation tips

Investigations to consider for specific clinical scenarios and common signs and symptoms presenting to primary care:

• Initial tests to perform
• Further tests to consider

Lab Results Made Easy is essential reading for everyone looking to safely manage abnormal results in primary care – it will help with decision-making, especially at 16.10 (and later) on those Friday afternoons…