Standard Operating Procedure-SOP: Name of Institution

Standard Operating Procedure- SOP
Name of institution
Critical Results Reporting ID Code:

Ap 12
Topic & Purpose: Review Period:

Explains how to report critical results 1 year
Location: Distribution:
Version number: Annex:

V 1.0 None
Written by:
Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s) of the Author(s)
Reviewed by:
Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s)
Authorized by:
Name, Date and Signature
Replaces the version:

Not applicable (1st version)
Changes to the last authorized version:

Not applicable (1st version)
Institution: Version: 1.0 Date: Number of pages: Name of ID Code: Ap 12
3 procedure:
Critical Results QM chapter: 7
Reporting
Procedure
Critical Results Reporting Procedure

Application.........................................................................................................2
Objective............................................................................................................2
Definitions..........................................................................................................2
References.........................................................................................................2
Responsibilities..................................................................................................2
Operating Mode.................................................................................................2
Related documents............................................................................................3
Application
This procedure ensures the proper reporting of critical laboratory test results.
Objective
This procedure has been developed to explain how to report critical results.
Definitions
Critical results: A laboratory result that suggests the patient is in imminent
danger unless appropriate therapy is initiated promptly (Lundberg, 1972).
References
Lundberg GD. When to panic over abnormal values. Med. Lab.
Obs., 1972, 4:47-54.
Responsibilities
Authorized personnel are responsible for ensuring critical results are reported
according to this procedure.
Operating Mode
NOTE: All critical results should be called to an authorized health care
provider immediately.
1. The laboratory management should recheck the critical result if possible.
2. For all critical results, laboratory staff will document in a special logbook
XXX:
 the critical result value;
 the reporting and verification of “read back” of these values to the
appropriate health care provider.
The documentation will include:
2
3 procedure:
Reporting
Procedure
 the name of the laboratory individual reporting the critical results;

 the first initial, last name and professional title of the health care
provider who was notified of the critical results;
 the date and time at which the notified individual “read back” the critical
results.
3. Any problems, including refusal to accept the results, that may be

encountered in notifying in a timely manner should be noted.
4. To report a critical result:
a) Call the patient’s appropriate location (e.g. clinic).
NOTE: If a patient has more than one critical result, all critical results may
be conveyed during the same call.
b) Identify yourself as clinical laboratory personnel and ask to speak to a

authorized health care provider.
c) Inform the authorized health care provider that you are reporting a
critical laboratory result (or results) on patient (identify patient by last and
first name and Medical Record Number).
d) Upon completion of the critical result notification, ask the authorized

health care provider to verbally read back ALL of the reported critical
result(s) and to properly identify him/herself (at minimum with the first initial
of their name and their entire last name), including his/her professional
title.
5. After the call the original laboratory’s report (and charts) will be printed,
signed by authorized personnel, and appropriately stored.
6. The laboratory, on a monthly basis, will measure, assess, and, if

appropriate, take action to improve the timeliness of reporting, and the
timeliness of receipt by authorized health care providers, of critical test results.
 Supervisor(s) or authorized designees will periodically print out a
Critical Results Report in order to measure and assess that all critical
results were called and read back.
 Upon completion of the assessment the supervisor will complete and
forward a Critical Results Assessment Form to the Quality Manager.
Related documents
Critical Results Assessment Form Ref XXX
Critical Results Report Ref XXX
Verification Critical Results logbook Ref XXX
3
3 procedure:
Reporting
Procedure

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Standard Operating Procedure- SOP

Critical Results Reporting ID Code:

Topic & Purpose: Review Period:

Version number: Annex:

Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s) of the Author(s)

Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s)

Name, Date and Signature

Replaces the version:

Changes to the last authorized version:

Critical Results Reporting Procedure

1. The laboratory management should recheck the critical result if possible.

The documentation will include:

 the name of the laboratory individual reporting the critical results;

3. Any problems, including refusal to accept the results, that may be

4. To report a critical result:

a) Call the patient’s appropriate location (e.g. clinic).

b) Identify yourself as clinical laboratory personnel and ask to speak to a

d) Upon completion of the critical result notification, ask the authorized

6. The laboratory, on a monthly basis, will measure, assess, and, if

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