The journal Klinisk Biokemi i Norden (KBN) is the official publication of the Nordic Federation of Clinical Chemistry (NFKK). The editorial board consists of an editor-in-chief (who may also serve as national editor), one editor from each of the Nordic countries, as well as the current chair of NFKK. Four issues are published per year. The content of the journal primarily includes information for members about various activities within the field in the Nordic region, as well as scientific articles. The scientific contributions are usually not assessed by external reviewers (peer-reviewed), but the editorial committee evaluates the content of all articles, and in a few cases external consultants are also used.
The first 10 years
It was Kristoffer Hellsing (Uppsala) and Sverre Landaas (Oslo) who, in 1989, took the initiative to establish a Nordic journal for the field of clinical chemistry. Prior to that, since the establishment of NFKK in 1946, there had been several attempts to create a Nordic journal, but none had succeeded.
The first editorial committee consisted of Kristoffer Hellsing (editor-in-chief and national editor for Sweden), Palle Wang (Denmark), Ilkka Penttilä (Finland), Leifur Frantzon (Iceland), Tor-Arne Hagve (Norway), Thorvaldur Veigar Gudmundsson (chair of NFKK), and Arno Nyberg (NORKEM). Initially, NORKEM was involved by financing the first planning meetings, guaranteeing operations during the first years, and being represented on the editorial committee.
The first issue was published in the autumn of 1989. Since then, with few exceptions, the journal has been published with four issues each year, as well as a total of five supplements.
Kristoffer Hellsing served as editor-in-chief until 2000. His enthusiasm and determination were essential for the journal becoming a reality. Tor-Arne Hagve was editor-in-chief until January 2003, when Palle Wang took over. Per Simonsson became editor-in-chief in July 2008; Ingunn Þorsteinsdottir became editor-in-chief in the spring of 2014; and Helle Borgstrøm Hager took over the role from January 2018.
Finances
NFKK bears the full financial responsibility for the operation of KBN. The journal has for the most part been fully financed through advertising.
Publication and distribution
One issue is usually published in February, May, September, and December. The circulation is approximately 1,500 copies and is distributed free of charge to all members of the Nordic Association for Clinical Chemistry (i.e., all members of the national associations). Others who wish to subscribe may contact the national editors..
Contributions to Klinisk Biokemi Norden
Contributions to Klinisk Biokemi i Norden should preferably be submitted to the national editor. Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided under “Instructions” on this website and also printed on the last page of all issues. The format should follow the Vancouver guidelines. The scientific content of submitted manuscripts is not peer-reviewed. However, the editorial committee evaluates all manuscripts in terms of content and editorial quality and suggests any necessary revisions. The time from receipt of a manuscript to publication rarely exceeds four months.
Supplements
In the case of publication of supplements initiated by the editorial board or NFKK, the journal finances the supplement and is responsible for the editorial process. If the supplement is edited by others, the editorial committee must assess its content and grant formal approval for publication. In such cases, the financing is not the responsibility of the journal.
For requests to publish supplements, the editor-in-chief should be contacted. The supplements are available electronically in the KBN archive.