Telephoning of critically abnormal results

One of the core functions of the duty biochemist role is responsibility/oversight of the communication of critically abnormal results to end-users. What is defined as "critically abnormal" will differ based on the analyte, and whilst some resultsmay require immediate action when found in the secondary care setting, other results depending of the analyte/degree of severity,may be safe to communicate the next working day to primary care users.

The guidelines set out are meant to be used as a foundation to ensure commonality between telephoningpracticein departments, but of course nuance depending on local services/agreements is to beexpected. The attached document contain advice for all departments including clinical biochemistry.

Reflective exercise

1. Reflect on the pros and cons of the duty biochemist phoning all abnormal results versus biomedical scientist staff in automated biochemistry doing so? Time resource versus nuancein interpreting results/their clinical implication is worth to bear in mind!
2. If you were phoned out of hours as the consultant biochemist on call, are there scenarios when you might defer phoning certain results to the next morning or should all results be phoned there and then?
3. What principles of clinical governance are important to consider with regards to communicating critically abnormal results?