International Society for Laboratory Hematology

The International Society for Laboratory Hematology (ISLH) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1992 by an international group of laboratory professionals in order to chart new directions for laboratory hematology. ISLH had its origins back in 1984. Motivated to see laboratory hematology recognized as an independent discipline, Dr Berend Houwen organized meetings on “Technical Innovations in Laboratory Hematology” to bring together scientists, manufacturers, clinicians, and regulatory representatives to exchange ideas on Technical Innovations in Laboratory Hematology. The first meeting was held in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The meeting was an outstanding success and heralded the arrival of a new forum for dissemination of information from around the globe on laboratory hematology. The meeting became a must attend event on the calendar for hematology laboratorians culminating in the decision to form ISLH in 1992.

At the time of incorporation as a society it was decided also that a new journal be started again to provide a forum for publication of research and review articles in the broadening arena of laboratory hematology. In 2003 this journal Laboratory Hematology received acknowledgment that it had been officially indexed which again was a significant milestone for ISLH. The current journal, “The International Journal of Laboratory Hematology” is the official journal of the ISLH. The journal provides an international forum for all new developments in the research and practice of laboratory hematology and includes invited reviews, full length original articles and correspondence.

The ISLH, from those humble beginnings has now grown to the stage where it has near 900 members globally from over 50 countries. It is truly international in all aspects of its business with annual scientific meetings held in the US, Europe and Asia.

ISLH has also been instrumental in standards and guidelines development in laboratory Hematology. These include the publication in 2001 of the first flow based reference method for platelet counting and the publication in 2005 of The International Consensus Group for Hematology Review: Suggested Criteria for Action Following Automated CBC and WBC Differential Analysis. This publication gathered 20 leading hematology laboratorians from around the globe to share their views on slide review and feedback suggest it has been one of the most important laboratory hematology publications in the past 30 years. ISLH also maintains strong ties with the International Committee for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH).

ISLH has also expanded its repertoire of disciplines to cater for the growing needs of laboratory hematologists. Today ISLH addresses the following sub-disciplines with up-to-date symposia, research and journal reviews on:

Cellular Analysis Flow Cytometry Hemostasis and Thrombosis Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Informatics Hemoglobinopathies Hemolytic Anemias Point of Care Testing Standards and guidelines

References

• International Society for Laboratory Hematology. www.islh.org