The global medical process is a chain of different medical multidisciplinary procedures. The
success in global Patient Safety will depend on the Safety of the consecutive medical processes
that intervene in this complex system. Laboratory data is an essential part of health care
indeed it is used in 70% of clinical decisions. Inappropriate laboratory test over requesting
is extremely frequent. The prevalence of under requesting has been less studied. The
consequences of under requesting are clear we are missing a diagnosis. Inappropriate over
requesting can result not only in a problem of cost but also in a problem regarding patient
safety. Additionally another important consequence of inappropriate tests over requesting is
that such amount of unnecessary tests has probably contributed to a significant increase in the
volume of those over the last years. In all there is general consensus that the inadequacy of
test requesting must be corrected through strategies and monitored over time through indicators
to assure the optimal laboratory contribution to clinical decision-making and patient safety.
