RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The critical values are the values of laboratory testing results which required attention or action by the physicians. It is an essential component of good laboratory practice and widely used throughout the world. The present study examined the current situation on implementing of critical value list (CVL) of Thai clinical laboratory and what factors were involved in their consideration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A questionnaire composed of 3 main categories made up of 34 questions was mailed to 450 Thai clinical laboratories. These participated laboratories were randomly selected from both private-and government-hospitals. Participated ones were requested to answer the questionnaire and return via mail within two months. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test on Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: The results showed that there were only 48.9% of Thai laboratories implemented the CVL. It was found that there were many factors which governed the implementation of critical values. These factors were significantly different between those who implement the critical values and those did not (p < 0.01). In regard to private- and government-hospital laboratories, implementation of CVL was not significant difference (p > 0.1). However, it was found that assigned persons who responded to notify and act on the critical value was significantly different (p < 0.01). Moreover there were no significant differences on laboratory policy, communication method as well as standard operating procedures on critical values between the private- and government-hospital laboratories (p > 0.1). There were only 20.2% of those who implemented the CVL and considered this action as a non-troublesome matter. But, a large group of 95.7% considered this matter as an extra-ordinary tool for quality control of result reporting system. CONCLUSION: Thai laboratories perceived the implementation of critical values list differently. There were some factors beyond their consideration. However utilizing of CVL would be an extra-ordinary tool for assuring test results.
