Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Abbreviation ACB
Predecessor Association for Clinical Biochemistry
Formation 1952 (1952)
Merger of Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology
Association of Clinical Microbiologists
Type National scientific society
Purpose Biochemistry advancement
Headquarters Tooley Street on the South bank of the river Thames in London
Location
  • 130-132 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2TU
Region served
United Kingdom
President
Gwyn McCreanor
Main organ
ACB Council
Affiliations International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Website www.acb.org.uk
Formerly called
Association of Clinical Biochemists
Association for Clinical Biochemistry

The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine is a United Kingdom-based learned society dedicated to the practice and promotion of clinical biochemistry. It was founded in 1953 and its official journal is the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. The association is a full, national society member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine IFCC[1] as well as a full member of the regional European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.[2]

History

Originally founded as the Association of Clinical Biochemists, the association has evolved as biochemistry has changed with advances in laboratory medicine. Recognizing an increasing number of medical members, the name was changed in 2005 to Association for Clinical Biochemistry. In 2007 the "Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology" merged with the ACB. The membership expanded in 2010 with the merger with the "Association of Clinical Microbiologists". The broader nature of the membership contributed to the renaming of the ACB to its current name at the annual meeting in 2013.[3]

Clinical concerns

The ACB is responsible for determining the specific content for courses related to certification as a clinical biochemist in the UK. Normally this is a three or four year academic sequence followed by qualification examinations. Because of the competitive admission criteria, many applicants have advanced degrees before beginning the biochemistry program.[4]

Papers published by ACB members are related to the use of laboratories by doctors and patient health diagnostic testing in the UK.

The ACB was part of a 2008 effort by a consortium to support a Scottish government initiative aimed at emphasizing the need for quality laboratory services to the practice of medicine.[8]

References

  1. "IFCC - Full members". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  2. "IFCC - EFLM - European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  3. "ACB - History". The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  4. Brimelow, Adam (22 September 2011). "Call for more training to improve blood tests in A&E". BBC News. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  5. "'Junior Doctors Can't Read Test Results'". Sky News. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  6. "Doctors "unable to interpret tests"". Hospital Healthcare Europe. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  7. "Labs are vital". European-Hospital. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2013.

Further reading

External links

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