title: [The contribution of critical laboratory values to patients' safety and care].
abstract: Critical values are those laboratory values that are so abnormal that may threaten the life of a patient unless immediate corrective or therapeutic actions are undertaken. Among laboratory procedures, this definition has been incorporated to standards that watch over patients' safety. Health institutions should incorporate this practice and monitor its effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Laboratorios Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Guzmán D
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lagos L
mesh_terms: D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems; D003142:Communication; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017751:Safety Management