Reducing lab errors in clinical chemistry with Joe El-Khoury
CLINICAL24 Ambassador, Professor. Joe El-Koury, discusses the importance of automation and custom solutions in clinical chemistry
30 Sept 2024
Professor Joe El-Khoury, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Director, Clinical Chemistry Laboratory & Fellowship Program, Yale New Haven Health
#CLINICAL24 Ambassador, Professor Joe El-Khoury, is dedicated to advancing the field of clinical laboratory science. As the Director of Clinical Chemistry at Yale New Haven Health and an Associate Professor at Yale University, Prof. El-Khoury is a leading voice in laboratory medicine, particularly in kidney disease biomarkers, mass spectrometry, and reducing clinical lab errors. His work advancing clinical chemistry aligns with the mission of CLINICAL24, an initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by clinical laboratory scientists and exploring how technology can offer solutions.
A revolutionary approach to kidney function biomarkers
One of Prof. El-Khoury’s most notable research areas focuses on developing new biomarkers to assess kidney function. Traditional biomarkers, such as creatinine, have long been used to evaluate kidney health, but they present several limitations. Creatinine levels can be influenced by factors unrelated to kidney function, such as muscle mass, leading to less accurate diagnoses.
Prof. El-Khoury’s research on symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), an emerging biomarker, has shown that it outperforms creatinine in measuring kidney function. His findings could lead to more accurate diagnoses for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prof. El-Khoury and his team are working on developing a high-throughput clinical assay for SDMA, which could be implemented in labs worldwide, dramatically improving CKD diagnostics.
Harnessing mass spectrometry to transform laboratory medicine
Mass spectrometry, a powerful tool for analyzing biological fluids, is another key area of Prof. El-Khoury's research. Historically confined to research labs, mass spectrometry is now finding applications in clinical labs thanks to advances in soft ionization techniques and automation. This technology allows for the precise measurement of small molecules and has proven indispensable in areas like microbiology, endocrinology, toxicology, and pharmacogenetics.
Prof. El-Khoury is working to bring the benefits of mass spectrometry to everyday clinical practice. In an interview with SelectScience® recorded as part of the CLINICAL24 conversation, El-Khoury emphasizes that while automated mass spectrometry systems are a breakthrough in laboratory medicine, some highly specialized applications still require manual methods. His commitment to customizing solutions for specific lab needs ensures that patients receive the most accurate and reliable results possible.
Reducing errors in clinical laboratories
In a healthcare landscape where medical error has been estimated to be the third leading cause of death in the U.S., reducing errors in clinical laboratories is a crucial challenge. Laboratory medicine has been a leader in reducing error rates, with an estimated total error rate of just 0.33%. However, Prof. El-Khoury stresses that pre-analytical errors, which occur before a sample even reaches the lab, account for up to 75% of all mistakes.
Prof. El-Khoury’s work focuses on developing technologies to detect, and where possible, prevent these pre-analytical errors. By raising awareness of this issue and continuously improving laboratory practices, he aims to further enhance patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
The role of technology and communication
Prof. El-Khoury strongly advocates leveraging technology, such as large language models (LLMs), to improve laboratory practices. In recent studies, LLMs have demonstrated an impressive ability to provide more accurate clinical advice compared to physicians in some cases. However, he emphasizes the need for ongoing validation and monitoring to ensure the reliability of AI in clinical settings.
Prof. El-Koury understands the impact of innovative communication in science. His YouTube channel, Clinical Chemistry with Joe El-Khoury, infuses science with comedy, aiming to use educational entertainment as a way to attract, educate, and drive change in the field. As a CLINICAL24 Ambassador, Prof. El-Khoury highlights the importance of global collaboration among laboratory professionals. Initiatives like CLINICAL24 help scientists and clinicians connect globally and work together towards the common goal of improving patient outcomes through innovation and shared knowledge.