Open Forum

Hello,

I am looking for information on RNs or LPNs accepting critical results from labs or pathology. I am struggling to find any recent or valid information on if an RN or LPN can accept a critical lab or pathology result in ambulatory care settings and then be responsible for informing the provider of the results. Can anyone share with me what they do at their organization is doing or what their policy states? Or if you have any valid resources? 

Thank you!

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Mallory McConnaha, BSN, RN

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Hello Mallory,
Great question. We addressed this years ago and with our risk management person, it was decided that the only people who should accept critical results were those who could "act" on them.  So they decided that if the nurse would not act on the result, they should not be a middle person in dealing with the call. However, in my department, as the RN, I acted on all provider labs but they could not account for that. As time went on, the front desk resumed sending the calls to me. Many I can "act" on , like low Hgb/Hct", etc. But even for those that I do not "act" on, I consult with the provider, formulate a plan and call the patient. I never act on positive carcinoma results. I personally feel that RNs should be able to take the calls because many of us work off of protocols that guide us. Also, I work in OBGYN and do not always have a provider in the office so I feel like I should own the result until I can get it taken care of.  I also take abnormal ultrasound report results, so I consider them the same.  Hope this helps. 

Nicole

Thank you all for the information you have shared. It will be helpful to my team as we work to improve our Critical Results policy.

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Mallory McConnaha, BSN, RN