Critical Value Report: Survey and Literature Review.
10.15263/jlmqa.2017.39.1.31
- Author:
Jwa Keun SONG
1
;
Hyo Jun AHN
;
Young Ah KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea. yakim@nhimc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Laboratory critical value;
Quality improvement;
Standardization
- MeSH:
Blood Platelets;
Calcium;
Creatinine;
Delivery of Health Care;
Glucose;
Korea;
Leukocytes;
Partial Thromboplastin Time;
Potassium;
Practice Guidelines as Topic;
Quality Improvement;
Sodium
- From:Journal of Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance
2017;39(1):31-41
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Communication with clinicians in the pre- and post-analytical period to report correct and adequate laboratory test results is crucial. Specifically, the notification of critical values that identify a treatable life-threatening condition should be effectively implemented. Although critical value reporting consists of a series of inter-dependent decisions and processes, standard critical value practices in clinical laboratories have not been agreed upon yet. METHODS: We analyzed the critical value reporting protocols currently used in Korea and performed a systematic review of published literature to provide best practices to improve the quality of critical value reports. RESULTS: Commonly included critical value reports (number of healthcare facilities) are such as followings: hemoglobin (59/59), platelet (52/59), white blood cell (51/59), activated partial thromboplastin time (45/59), glucose (56/59), potassium (55/59), sodium (50/59) total calcium (42/59), creatinine (42/59), and gram stain result when blood culture is positive (24/59). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variations in the critical value report protocols exist among the participating clinical laboratories. Further effort should be invested to standardize the protocol.
