Croatian survey on critical results reporting

Abstract

IntroductionPoor harmonization of critical results management is present in various laboratories and countries, including Croatia. We aimed to investigate procedures used in critical results reporting in Croatian medical biochemistry laboratories (MBLs).Materials and methodsAn anonymous questionnaire, consisting of 24 questions/statements, related to critical results reporting procedures, was send to managers of MBLs in Croatia. Participants were asked to declare the frequency of performing procedures and degree of agreement with statements about critical values reporting using a Likert scale. Total score and mean scores for corresponding separate statements divided according to health care setting were calculated and compared.ResultsResponses from 111 Croatian laboratories (48%) were analyzed. General practice laboratories (GPLs) more often re-analyzed the sample before reporting the critical result in comparison with the hospital laboratories (HLs) (score: 4.86 (4.75-4.96) vs. 4.49 (4.25-4.72); P = 0.001) and more often reported the critical value exclusively to the responsible physician compared to HLs (4.46 (4.29-4.64) vs. 3.76 (3.48-4.03), P < 0.001). High total score (4.69 (4.56-4.82)) was observed for selection of the critical results list issued by the Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemistry (CCMB) indicating a high harmonization level for this aspect of critical result management. Low total scores were observed for the statements regarding data recording and documentation of critical result notification.ConclusionsDifferences in practices about critical results reporting between HLs and GPLs were found. The homogeneity of least favorable responses detected for data recording and documentation of critical results notification reflects the lack of specific national recommendations.

Standardization of haematology critical results management in adults: an International Council for Standardization in Haematology, ICSH, survey and recommendations

“…In this survey, the telephone (98.2%) remains the most frequent mode of notification. This is similar to previous surveys [21,22,25,27,28,31,32]. The verbal notification process represents a significant workload for the laboratory that diverts the attention from other laboratory work.…”

“…Most of the notification is performed by scientists, technical assistants or pathologists in this survey, similar to previous surveys [20][21][22][23][24]32]. Despite the increased workload, call centres are seldom used (5.7%).…”

“…Regional/national recommendations have been made in an attempt to provide guidance for the critical results management [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Despite this, previous regional/national surveys have identified large variation in the practice of critical results management [6,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. This international survey provided a snapshot of the current practice worldwide and has identified the existence of considerable heterogeneity of critical results management.…”

Critical values in hematology of 862 institutions in China

“…In the survey, the telephone (95.8%) remains the most frequent mode of notification. This is similar to previous surveys . However, the verbal notification process creates a significant workload for laboratories.…”

External quality assessment of medical laboratories in Croatia: preliminary evaluation of post-analytical laboratory testing

“…Approximately one fifth indicated that they immediately report critical values without test repetition, which is consistent with practices at accredited laboratories in other countries ( 10 , 14 , 15 ) and reflects the fact that ISO 15189 - compliant laboratories may choose not to re-test in specific circumstances, such as when national guidelines in their country recommends it or when the use of advanced laboratory technology places the initial result beyond reasonable doubt. Recent published results of survey on critical results reporting in Croatian medical laboratories found high score for re-analyse critical results before reporting ( 16 ). In general, Croatian laboratories are in compliance with valid CCMB recommendation.…”