Medical laboratory testing is critical in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in patients. Laboratory tests aid in determining the presence, degree, and absence of disease, as well as monitoring the efficacy of treatment. Decisions on a patient's diagnosis and therapy are based on the results of laboratory tests in about 60 to 70 percent of cases. As a result, it is vital that clinical laboratory services are not only cost effective, but also deliver high-quality information for clinical decision-making.