NORMAL RANGE - CONCEPT IN TRANSITION

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 101  (11) , 561-565
Abstract
In recent years the term "normal range" was replaced by "reference range" in pathology. "Upper limit of normal" was replaced by "referent value," "critical value" or "cut-off point." The literature now reflects increasing contributions from biostatistics, decision theory and systems analysis. Although the names have changed, the problem has not. Understanding Bayes'' Theorum will not help the busy internist when he complains about false-positive elevations in alkaline phosphatase activity on hospital admission profiles. The laboratory director must be able to integrate reference range data and predictive value theory in his own environment if he wishes to provide meaningful information to clinicians. The objective of this review was to focus on the definition and integration of these areas of emerging concern for the laboratorian.

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