Preliminary results of a therapeutic drug monitoring survey in Australasia

Therapeutic drug concentrations are measured in many diagnostic laboratories;however, providing a comprehensive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) service requires the additional elements of pre- and post-analytical advice to ensure that concentrations reported are meaningful and clinically interpretable. The aim of this project was to assess the status of such TDM services in Australasia. Laboratories were surveyed by questionnaire in late 2007. The results included responses from 57 laboratories of which 42% were from hospital laboratories, 11% hospital pathology providers, 47% as pathology providers. Questions included tests offered, methods adopted, interpretation and further monitoring advice provided. Whilst there was wide array of tests available and support for analytical aspects, there was only limited advice/interpretation of results offered. For example,