Laboratory Abbreviations Reference Guide
category: Healthcare IT
tags: laboratory, LIMS, healthcare, abbreviations
Core Lab Departments
Essential department abbreviations used across all laboratory information systems.
Pathology Departments
- CP - Cell Pathology - Examines cells and tissues for disease diagnosis
- Histo - Histopathology - Studies diseased tissues under microscope
- Cyto - Cytology - Analysis of individual cells, especially for cancer screening
- Immuno - Immunology - Studies immune system responses and autoimmune diseases
- Molecular - Molecular Pathology - DNA/RNA analysis for genetic disorders
Clinical Departments
- Biochem - Biochemistry - Chemical analysis of blood and body fluids
- Haem - Haematology - Blood disorders, cell counts, blood cancers
- Micro - Microbiology - Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
- Coag - Coagulation - Blood clotting function tests
- BB - Blood Bank - Blood typing, crossmatching, transfusion services
Specialist Departments
- Sero - Serology - Antibody testing for infections and immunity
- Viro - Virology - Viral infection testing and monitoring
- Endo - Endocrinology - Hormone testing and metabolic disorders
- Tox - Toxicology - Drug testing and poison detection
- Genetics - Genetic testing for inherited conditions
Laboratory Information Systems
Core IT systems and quality management abbreviations.
System Types
- LIMS - Laboratory Information Management System - Manages samples and workflow
- LIS - Laboratory Information System - Broader term for lab IT systems
- EMR - Electronic Medical Record - Patient record system that interfaces with lab
- HIS - Hospital Information System - Hospital-wide IT infrastructure
Quality Management
- QC - Quality Control - Internal testing to ensure accuracy
- QA - Quality Assurance - Overall quality management processes
- EQA - External Quality Assurance - External proficiency testing
- IQC - Internal Quality Control - Daily quality monitoring
- CAP - College of American Pathologists - US accreditation body
- UKAS - UK Accreditation Service - UK laboratory accreditation
- ISO - International Organization for Standardization - Global quality standards
Sample Workflow & Processing
Abbreviations used throughout the laboratory testing process.
Sample Management
- Acc No - Accession Number - Unique identifier for each sample
- Req - Request/Requisition - Test order from clinician
- Spec - Specimen - Physical sample (blood, urine, tissue)
- Aliquot - Portion of sample divided for different tests
- WL - Worklist - List of samples/tests to be processed
- Batch - Group of samples processed together
Processing Terms
- Pre-anal - Pre-analytical - Sample collection and preparation phase
- Anal - Analytical - Testing phase on instruments
- Post-anal - Post-analytical - Result verification and reporting phase
- Prep - Preparation - Sample processing before testing
- Dilution - Dil - Sample diluted for testing range
- Rerun - Sample tested again due to error or confirmation
Result Status & Workflow States
Status codes used to track sample progress through the laboratory.
Sample Status
- Received - Sample logged into system
- Pending - Awaiting processing
- IP - In Progress - Currently being tested
- Complete - Testing finished, awaiting verification
- Verified - Results checked and approved
- Released - Results sent to requesting clinician
Result Actions
- Auth - Authorised - Final approval by qualified staff
- Amend - Amended - Result corrected after release
- Canc - Cancelled - Test cancelled, various reasons
- Repeat - Test repeated due to technical issues
- Ref - Referred - Sample sent to external laboratory
Instrumentation & Equipment
Common laboratory equipment abbreviations.
Analytical Instruments
- Ana - Analyser - Automated testing instrument
- Spec - Spectrophotometer - Measures light absorption
- Centri - Centrifuge - Separates sample components by spinning
- Inc - Incubator - Temperature-controlled growth environment
- Auto - Autoclave - Steam sterilization equipment
Microscopy & Manual Tools
- Micro/Scope - Microscope - For cellular examination
- Pip - Pipette - Precise liquid measurement tool
- PR - Plate Reader - Reads test results from microplates
- Rotor - Centrifuge rotor for specific tube types
Technical Procedures
Laboratory testing methodologies and techniques.
Molecular Techniques
- PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction - DNA amplification technique
- RT-PCR - Real-time PCR - Quantitative DNA/RNA analysis
- FISH - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization - Genetic analysis method
- ISH - In Situ Hybridization - Gene expression analysis
- NGS - Next Generation Sequencing - High-throughput DNA sequencing
Histology Techniques
- H&E - Haematoxylin & Eosin - Standard tissue staining
- IHC - Immunohistochemistry - Protein detection in tissues
- FFPE - Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded - Standard tissue preparation
- FS - Frozen Section - Rapid tissue analysis during surgery
- Decalc - Decalcification - Bone tissue processing
Key Performance Metrics
Important laboratory efficiency and quality measurements.
Turnaround Times
- TAT - Turnaround Time - Time from sample receipt to result
- Stat - Urgent/Immediate - Priority processing for critical results
- Routine - Standard processing timeline
- Pre-TAT - Pre-analytical turnaround time
- Post-TAT - Post-analytical turnaround time
Quality Metrics
- CV - Coefficient of Variation - Measure of test precision
- SD - Standard Deviation - Statistical measure of variability
- Mean - Average value of control measurements
- OOC - Out of Control - Quality control failure
- Delta Check - Comparison with previous patient results
Common Sample Types
Abbreviations for biological specimens processed in laboratories.
Body Fluids
- CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid - Fluid around brain and spine
- BAL - Bronchoalveolar Lavage - Lung washing sample
- PF - Pleural Fluid - Fluid around lungs
- AF - Ascitic Fluid - Abdominal cavity fluid
- SF - Synovial Fluid - Joint fluid
Tissue Samples
- Bx - Biopsy - Small tissue sample for diagnosis
- FNA - Fine Needle Aspirate - Cells obtained by needle
- Resection - Surgical removal of tissue/organ
- Frozen - Rapid tissue processing for surgery
Best Practices for Application Support
- Standardization - Ensure consistent abbreviation use across all lab modules
- Documentation - Maintain updated lists as new tests and departments are added
- Training - Regular updates for staff on new abbreviations and system changes
- Integration - Verify abbreviations match between interfaced systems (LIMS, EMR, analyzers)
Common System Issues
Abbreviation Conflicts
- Symptom: Same abbreviation used for different concepts
- Cause: Lack of standardization between departments
- Solution: Implement controlled vocabulary and unique identifiers
Interface Mapping Problems
- Symptom: Test results not appearing or mapping to wrong tests
- Cause: Abbreviation mismatches between systems
- Solution: Verify mapping tables and establish standard code sets
References
- College of American Pathologists (CAP) Laboratory Accreditation Standards
- UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) Medical Laboratory Standards
- ISO 15189:2012 Medical Laboratories Requirements
- Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Guidelines
Last updated: 2025-08-26 20:00 UTC