TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Laboratory Principles A1 - Rainey, Petrie M. A2 - Hoffman, Robert S. A2 - Howland, Mary Ann A2 - Lewin, Neal A. A2 - Nelson, Lewis S. A2 - Goldfrank, Lewis R. Y1 - 2015 N1 - T2 - Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 10e AB - Toxicology addresses harm caused by acute and chronic exposures to excessive amounts of a xenobiotic. Detecting the presence or measuring the concentration of toxic xenobiotics is the primary activity of the analytical toxicology laboratory. Such testing is closely intertwined with therapeutic drug monitoring, in which drug concentrations are measured as an aid to optimizing drug dosing regimens. The toxicology laboratory is frequently viewed in much the same way as other clinical laboratories often are—as a “black box” that converts orders into test results. Because toxicology testing volumes are relatively low and menus are extensive, testing is not as highly automated as in other clinical laboratories. Many results may be “handmade the old-fashioned way.” A downside of this may be somewhat longer turnaround times. But the upside is that toxicology laboratory personnel have the incentive and flexibility to develop substantial expertise. Clinicians who understand how toxicology testing is done will be able to order more judiciously and apply the results more effectively. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1108424168 ER -