Critical Values

A Critical Value / Critical Result is defined as a value/result that represents a pathophysiological state at such variance with normal (expected values) as to be life-threatening unless something is done promptly and for which some corrective action could be taken. The abnormal results are not considered Critical Values. Results that are outside the laboratory’s established reference interval may be considered abnormal. “Abnormal” and “critical” are not to be used interchangeably.

The below table of critical values represent the analytes and their respective values identified as potentially life threatening and will be reported immediately by telephone when such results are generated. No other abnormal test results will be reported immediately. In addition, critical value results are sent by facsimile and electronic transmission (email and text) to designated contact individuals in the ordering facility.

In addition to the critical values identified on this list, critical alerts from testing referred to outside laboratories will be communicated to clients in accordance with notification standards once those performing laboratories notify KCL. KCL will honor and treat ‘Critical Result’ reporting from any outside reference lab, as indicated by that laboratory to be ‘critical’.