title: Introduction: Communicating critical test results.
abstract: The need for improving the timeliness of the communication of critical test results is reflected in a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal and is the basis for this special issue of the Journal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cook County (Stroger) Hospital, Chicago, USA. gdschiff@aol.com
authors.forename: Gordon D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Schiff
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States