Healthcare Reportable Ranges

HEALTHCARE REPORTABLE RANGES

Facility Information

This document describes the reportable, critical, and alert ranges applicable to laboratory results generated by the facility named above. These ranges are established to ensure timely clinical notification, compliance with mandatory public health reporting obligations, and protection of patient safety. Reportable ranges marked as "critical" require immediate verbal notification to the ordering provider and appropriate escalation per the procedure below.

Notification Contact for Critical Results

Secondary contacts and escalation procedures must be maintained in laboratory policy. Documentation of the person notified, time of notification, and method of communication shall be retained in the patient's record and the laboratory's critical result log.

Reportable Ranges (Representative Entries)

Enter each test and the associated normal, alert, and critical thresholds below. For age- or sex-specific ranges specify the applicable subgroup. For public health notifiable conditions, indicate required reporting.

Definitions and Requirements

Reportable value: a laboratory result that falls within a pre-defined range that triggers additional reporting, which may include written or electronic notification to the ordering clinician and retention in the medical record. Critical value: a laboratory result that represents a pathophysiologic state that may be life-threatening without immediate medical intervention; critical values require immediate verbal communication to the ordering clinician or covering practitioner. Laboratories are required to maintain written procedures for notification, confirmation of receipt, and documentation of all notifications.

Notification Procedures and Time Frames

For any result meeting the critical thresholds indicated above, the laboratory shall:

1. Attempt immediate verbal notification to the ordering provider or their designee and document the name, relationship to patient, time, and method of notification.
2. If the ordering provider cannot be reached within the TAT specified below, escalate according to the facility escalation matrix and continue attempts until acknowledged.
3. Record the result, notification attempts, and final disposition in the laboratory critical result log and the patient medical record.

Recordkeeping and Review

Laboratory shall maintain documentation of all reportable and critical results, notifications, and corrective actions for a minimum period in accordance with facility policy and applicable law. Ranges and policies shall be reviewed at least annually and whenever there is a change in methodology, instrumentation, or relevant clinical guidance.

Confidentiality and Reporting Obligations

The laboratory will handle protected health information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and facility policies. When a test result is reportable to public health authorities, the laboratory will disclose the minimum necessary patient information as required by law. Personnel responsible for notifications must maintain confidentiality and document disclosures in the record.

Authorization and Attestation

By signing below, the signatory attests that the reportable and critical ranges set forth in this document have been reviewed and authorized for use by the laboratory and that procedures for notification, documentation, and escalation are in place and consistent with applicable laws and facility policies. Any changes to ranges or procedures will be documented and signed by an authorized laboratory official.

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