Summary
Introduction. The preanalytical phase remains the most error-prone part of the laboratory testing process, with a substantial impact on patient safety, diagnostic accuracy, healthcare costs, and sustainability. The seventh conference of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (12–13 December 2025, Padova, Italy) focused on addressing these challenges through evidence-based and practice- oriented approaches.
Materials and Methods. A structured thematic review of the conference presentations was performed, covering preanalytical quality management, patient blood management, sample stability, sustainability, digital solutions, artificial intelligence applications, and value-based laboratory medicine. Key messages were synthesized and organized according to major thematic areas.
Results. The conference highlighted that failures occurring before laboratory analysis significantly contribute to diagnostic errors and adverse clinical outcomes. Evidence presented demonstrated that optimized preanalytical processes can reduce unnecessary blood loss, hospital-acquired anemia, environmental impact, and diagnostic delays. Digitalization, standardized procedures, quality indicators, and closer collaboration between laboratories and clinicians were identified as critical enablers for improving overall diagnostic performance. Emerging concepts such as value-based laboratory medicine emphasize the role of laboratories beyond analytical accuracy, focusing on clinical outcomes and system efficiency.
Conclusions. Effective management of the preanalytical phase is essential for improving patient safety and maximizing the clinical and economic value of laboratory medicine. A holistic, system-oriented approach allows laboratories to evolve from service providers to integral partners in clinical decision-making.
