Advice for GPs and pathologists to improve the reporting of abnormal analysis results out-of-hours has been developed by The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

The document has been produced in response to instances where laboratory staff have been unable to find an appropriate primary care physician to act urgently on a markedly abnormal tryout outcome. Containing advice for GPs, Primary Care Trusts, out-of-hours providers and laboratory staff, the document highlights three key problem areas in reporting and acting on abnormal results:

- lack of info by whom to contact outside GP surgery opening hours

- staff at the out-of-hours provider failing to appreciate the importance of the abnormal aftermath and not taking appropriate responsibility

- staff at the out-of-hours provider being unable to contact the patient and/or unable to access patient records.

The document recommends that stakeholders work together at a local level to develop an appropriate system to ensure good communication out of hours.

Specifically, PCTs should inform the laboratory of arrangements for making contact with a GP out of hours; GPs who ask

tests must supply sufficient patient details and clinical knowledge to allow effective communication amoung the lab and the out-of-hours provider; and, crucially, engagement and dialogue must be promoted across the whole local urgent care network.

The document additionally identifies a need for a protocol for the laboratory to report lack of response from out-of-hours providers and a system to be put in place to quality guarantee abnormal results.

Professor Adrian Newland, President of The Royal College of Pathologists, says: “Our intention is that that document will be used as a basis on which pathologists can construct local guidelines to address current problems with the reporting of results and to ensure a good working relationship with out-of-hours providers.”

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of The Royal College of General Practitioners, says: “that document is fundamental for primary care teams and pathologists. Whether we are dealing with results which show that an individual requires instant medical attention, or those that may have implications for public health, an effective system for reporting and acting on abnormal analysis results will ultimately lead to better patient care.”

Original post by Mallows