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Laboratory defined critical value limits: how do hospital physicians perceive laboratory based critical values?
Andrew C Don-Wauchope1, Vasudhevan T Chetty
1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University and Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Canada. donwauchop@hhsc.ca
Clinical Biochemistry
|March 10, 2009
Summary
Physician input revealed that many laboratory critical values require review and that most physicians lack a full understanding of critical value concepts, highlighting a need for education.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Laboratory Medicine
- Medical Education
Background:
- Critical values are essential for timely patient management.
- Establishing appropriate critical values requires input from clinical staff.
- Physician understanding of critical value concepts is crucial for effective utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate physician perception of current laboratory critical values.
- To assess physician comprehension of the definition and application of critical values.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was administered to 115 physicians across various disciplines.
- Survey questions included assessing the appropriateness of existing critical values.
- Understanding of the critical value concept was probed through specific response options.
Main Results:
- Only 4 out of 11 (36%) critical values were deemed appropriate by physicians.
- The majority of critical values (7 out of 11, 64%) required further review.
- A significant majority of respondents (79%) demonstrated an incomplete understanding of critical values.
Conclusions:
- Physician feedback is vital for refining laboratory critical value policies.
- The study identified specific critical values needing revision.
- Enhanced physician education on critical values is necessary for improved laboratory practice and patient safety.
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