A Practical Guide to Implementing Clinical Mass Spectrometry Systems

Mass spectrometry is becoming increasingly popular as an analytical tool in clinical laboratories. The aim of this publication is to provide practical guidance for laboratories on the implementation of mass spectrometry into a clinical service where there might be limited expertise in the technique. This guidance is the author's personal recommendation based on over ten years' experience of clinical mass spectrometry. Throughout the text, examples are given to illustrate issues that a clinical laboratory might encounter. While some examples relate to the field of immunosuppressive drug monitoring, the issues are common and relevant to any clinical application. The guidance provided is also applicable to instrumentation made by any manufacturer. This practical guide covers topics that range from instrument selection and business planning to installation, risk management and validation, and also includes suggestions for future prospects in this developing field.