title: Consensus Statement for the Management and Communication of High Risk Laboratory Results.
abstract: Ineffective test follow-up is a major source of harm for patients around the world. Unreliable communication from medical laboratories (henceforth termed 'laboratories') to clinicians of results that represent critical or significant risk to patients (collectively termed 'high risk results') is a contributing factor to this problem. Throughout Australasia, management practices for such results vary considerably. The recommendations presented in this document are based on best practice derived from the published literature and follow consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. These recommendations were created to harmonise Australasian practices by guiding laboratories in the design and implementation of safe and effective communication procedures for managing high risk results which require timely notification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Endocrinology, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, NSW;; Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW;
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Chemical Pathology, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, NSW;
authors.forename: Grahame
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.affiliation: Chemical Pathology, South Australia Pathology, SA;
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flatman
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW;
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Endocrinology, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology, NSW;
authors.forename: Andrea Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.affiliation: Austin Pathology, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Que
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Alfred Pathology Services, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schneider