Critical Lab Value Notification

Joint Commission NPSG 02.03.01 critical-value reporting. Process for notifying ordering provider of life-threatening lab results within facility-defined time window (typically 30-60 min).

Steps

• Verify the result meets the facility critical-value criteria
• Identify the ordering provider or designated responsible clinician
• Initiate notification within the facility-defined time window
• Communicate the critical result using closed-loop read-back
• Document the notification details in the required record
• Escalate if the provider is unreachable or the read-back is unsuccessful
• Notify the next escalation contact per facility policy
• Repeat verification only when authorized by policy or the laboratory director
• Record any delay, exception, or non-conformance