Study on the biochemistry laboratory performance in notifying critical alerts

 

 

Abstract               Background: Critical alert interval is the interval of examination (test) results that indicates an immediate risk to the patient of injury or death. Materials and Methods: All consecutive critical data of the month January 2019 are taken from the critical alert register from a tertiary care hospital/DC/BC/Reg/RR/09-Critical. From LIS, we generated the list of data satisfying the critical alert conditions in the same period January 2019. Results: The distribution had two peaks. The first peak is the tallest i.e.171 alerts are given within 25minutes. ABG and electrolyte samples processed immediately, contribute to this. This peak is superimposed on a normal distribution with a peak at 50 to 75 minutes interval and a long tail on the right side. Conclusion: Critical alert recording is missed in 26.3% of total alerts triggered. After correction, 50% of beta HCG is not recorded in the register. In 171 instances only we have given the alert within 25minutes.

Key Words: Critical alert, Parameters, Samples, Notification and authorized personnel.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Critical alert interval is the interval of examination (test) results that indicates an immediate risk to the patient of injury or death. When examination results fall within established “alert” or “critical” intervals:

-A physician (or other authorized health professional) is notified immediately.

-Records are maintained of actions taken that document date, time, responsible laboratory staff member, person notified and examination results conveyed, and any difficulties encountered in notifications.

This study is about how effectively it is practiced in the laboratory

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institutional human ethics committee approval was obtained. All consecutive critical data of the month January 2019 are taken from the critical alert register from a tertiary care hospital/DC/BC/Reg/RR/09-Critical. From LIS, we generated the list of data satisfying the critical alert conditions in the same period January 2019.

 

FOLLOW UP

• We have a LIS based system to trigger, initiate action and record critical alert in 100% instances after this study.
• We have been working to reduce the time taken for issuing alert and efficiency of tracking the authorized personnel to issue the alert.

 

 

 

 

 

Following are the parameters and their critical alert levels:

OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Figure A: Alerts recorded and not recorded                                                         Figure B: Parameter wise alert

 

Missed alerts compared with total alerts

 

Time duration from alert triggered to alert notification