Synopsis

Pathology tests are fundamental to the diagnosis and management of almost all children who present to RCH, and we collectively order thousands of them every day. Yet if we don’t know what is normal, how do we interpret what is abnormal? Moreover, how do we compare tests performed at RCH with past and future tests performed outside of the hospital? The Happi Kids study is a multicentre study funded by RCH foundation, aimed at providing normative data for routine tests performed on children and understanding the differences between different laboratories in Melbourne.  The initial results challenge much of the current thinking about how we should view pathology data and raise some interesting possibilities for how, through an enhanced pathology function via EMR, we could better manage our patients.

Speakers

Dr Helen Savoia, Director Laboratory Services, RCH and Head Haematology RCH.

Professor Paul Monagle, paediatric haematologist RCH and principle investigator of the Happi Kids study.