Review Standardization

in the context of this discussion refers to the process by which results of clinical laboratory assays are made con-sistent in terms of accuracy or agreement with a reference measure-ment procedure (RMP).1 The main objective for standardization is to ensure that reported results for analytes agree across measure-ment systems and laboratories and over time. Standardization is especially important for the lipoproteins and their lipid and protein constituents because treatment decision points have been established by expert consensus through the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).2 These decision points are based on population distributions and risk relationships observed in epidemiology studies, many of which were standardized to a com-mon accuracy base. Standardization of laboratory measurements to the same reference system ensures that patient characterization is consistent with the NCEP recommendations.3-6 Relatively smal