Best practice recommendations: The communication of critical and unexpected pathology results - Version 2 - Recommendations for rapid communication

Oct 4, 2026

Best practice recommendations for pathology teams on communicating critical and unexpected laboratory test results. The document outlines systematic guidance for identifying results requiring rapid communication, defines key terms, and sets out methods and structured content for result communication. It clarifies responsibilities for rapid communication, including reporting results directly to patients, and supports consistent clinical risk assessment and documentation when deviating from guidance. Appendices cover rapid communication considerations across clinical biochemistry, haematology, immunology, microbiology, cellular pathology, immunogenetics, and transfusion medicine.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

1 Introduction

2 Background

3 Identification of laboratory test results for rapid communication

4 Definitions

5 Methods for rapid communication

6 Result communication content

7 Responsibilities for the rapid communication of critical or unexpected test results

8 Reporting of results directly to patients

References

Appendix A Clinical Biochemistry

Appendix B Haematology

Appendix C Immunology

Appendix D Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology

Appendix E Cellular Pathology

Appendix F Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics

Appendix G Transfusion Medicine

Best practice recommendations The communication of critical and unexpected pathology results March 2025 Authors: Dr Bernie Croal and Dr Ian Godber in collaboration with the Royal College of Pathologists’ Specialist Advisory Committees. | Unique document number | G158 | | --- | --- | | Document name | Best practice recommendations: The communication of critical and unexpected pathology results | | Version number | 2 | | Produced by | Dr Bernie Croal, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian Dr Ian Godber, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
In collaboration with the Royal College of Pathologists’ Specialist Advisory Committees. | | Date active | March 2025 | | Date for review | March 2030 | | Comments | In accordance with the College’s pre-publication policy, this document will be on the Royal College of Pathologists’ website for consultation from 27 March 2025 to 24 April 2025. Responses and authors’comments will be available to review on final publication at:
[www.rcpath.org/profession/publications/documents-in](www.rcpath.org/profession/publications/documents-in)development.html
Dr Michael Eden
Clinical Director of Quality and Safety | The Royal College of Pathologists 6 Alie Street, London E1 8QT T: 020 7451 6700; [www.rcpath.org](www.rcpath.org) Registered charity in England and Wales, no. 261035 © 2025 The Royal College of Pathologists You may download, display, print and reproduce this document for your personal, non-commercial use. All other rights are reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Royal College of Pathologists at the above address. Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................3 1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................3 2 Background ...............................................................................................................4 3 Identification of laboratory test results for rapid communication .........................5 4 Definitions ..................................................................................................................6 5 Methods for rapid communication ...........................................................................6 6 Result communication content ................................................................................7 7 Responsibilities for the rapid communication of critical or unexpected test results.........................................................................................................................8 8 Reporting of results directly to patients ..................................................................8 References .........................................................................................................................9 Appendix A Clinical Biochemistry ............................................................................. 10 Appendix B Haematology ........................................................................................... 14 Appendix C Immunology ............................................................................................ 16 Appendix D Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology......................................... 19 Appendix E Cellular Pathology ..................................................................................26 Appendix F Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ..............................................29 Appendix G Transfusion Medicine .............................................................................30 1 1 Foreword 2 Best practice recommendations (BPRs) published by the Royal College of Pathologists 3 should assist pathologists in providing a high standard of care for patients. BPRs are 4

FAQs

What is the purpose of these best practice recommendations?

They support pathologists in providing a high standard of care by offering systematically developed guidance for practitioners and patients about appropriate actions in specific clinical circumstances.

How does the document approach identifying results that need rapid communication?

It provides guidance for identifying laboratory test results that are critical or unexpected and therefore require rapid communication.

What does the document cover regarding communicating results directly to patients?

It includes responsibilities for rapid communication and specific guidance on reporting results directly to patients as part of the overall rapid communication framework.

Oct 4, 2026

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