LABMEDICINE is a monthly periodical that publishes original articles on scientific, technical, managerial, and educational aspects of the clinical laboratory. Articles are to meet the needs and interests of the primary readers: professionals who work in the clinical laboratory.

All manuscripts must be submitted electronically. To submit a manuscript go to the following Web link: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/labmed. If you are a first-time author, you will need to first create an account.

Certain sections of this periodical go through rigorous peer review. These sections and a description of the review process are seen on the table on the following page. The table also details the guidelines for preparing a manuscript for publication. A good "rule of thumb" for preparing manuscripts is to look at an article that has already been published in LABMEDICINE. The author should then try to format his or her submission as closely as possible to the article that has already been published.

Images and figures can be included within the text document as a way of providing context; however, it is imperative for publication that all images and figures be submitted as separate files (either electronically or as a mailed supplement). All authors who submit images electronically need to pay close attention to the guidelines given on the table. Specifically, images need a resolution of 300 dpi. Anything less than 300 dpi compromises the integrity of the image in print and may lead to an editorial decision to not publish the image. When in doubt, hard copies on glossy photo paper or 35 mm slides are often the best way to submit images.

Pages should be numbered consecutively, beginning with the abstract list. You must acknowledge financial support. Any possible conflicts of interest must be disclosed when submitting a manuscript. You may also wish to acknowledge technical assistance or other collaboration involved in the manuscript preparation. For example, you should mention whether equipment or procedures are being field-tested at the time of publication or if the manufacturer supported the work.

References should appear at the end of the manuscript prior to the image or figure legends and tables. Each reference should have a separate number corresponding to the text citation. The reference numbers should be in order in which they appear in the text. A particular reference used more than once in the manuscript needs only one reference number in the list at the end of the document. Within the text, the reference numbers should be superscripted. References must be complete and should be verified against the original documents. Authors bear the full responsibility for accuracy of references and other citations. References to unpublished works or verbal communications should appear within parentheses in the text and not in the reference list that follows the text.

Refer to the American Medical Association Manual of Style regarding the formatting of references. Two examples of references are below (1 journal article and 1 book):

Solter NA, Wasserman SI, Austen KF. Cold urticaria: Release into the circulation of histamine and eosinophilic chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis during cold challenge. N Engl J Med. 1976;294:687-690.

Osler AG. Complement: Mechanisms and Functions. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall; 1976:283-291.

When submitting a continuing education article, the author must include a purpose statement for the reader about the article's intended educational objectives. The submission must also include 5 multiple choice questions with accompanying answers. It is encouraged that authors avoid questions that contain either "all of the above" and/or "none of the above" as possible answers.

Letters about articles recently published in LABMEDICINE or about topics of general interest to our readers are encouraged. Submission of a letter constitutes permission for the American Society for Clinical Pathology to edit, abridge, and publish it in LABMEDICINE. Letters must not duplicate other material published or submitted for publication.

Any questions regarding submission of manuscripts can be directed to the editorial staff of LABMEDICINE. Call 312.541.4897, or e-mail to labmed@ascp.org.