Effective Communication of Urgent Diagnoses and Significant, Unexpected Diagnoses in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology

Publication Date: October 13, 2011
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Consensus Statements

1. Each institution should create its own policy regarding Urgent Diagnoses and Significant, Unexpected Diagnoses in Anatomic Pathology. This policy should be separate from critical result or panic value policies in clinical pathology with the expectation of a different time frame for communication.
2. Pathology departments should determine specific urgent diagnoses in collaboration with the clinical staff. These diagnoses should include situations in which urgently conveying the information may directly affect patient care. An example of an urgent diagnosis is an unknown life-threatening infection in an immune-compromised patient. Pathologists, however, should use their experience and judgment to communicate any diagnoses, even if not included in the policy. In hospital practice, approval by the appropriate institutional governing body is recommended.
3. Determination of a significant, unexpected diagnosis is heavily dependent on the pathologist’s judgment as a physician. By their nature, significant, unexpected diagnoses cannot always be anticipated. Examples such as a frozen section–permanent section discordance that affects patient care or a clinically unsuspected malignancy may be listed in the policy.
4. Pathologists should communicate urgent diagnoses as soon as possible because it may directly affect patient care, but each institution should establish a reasonable time frame. We recommend no longer than the same day on which the diagnosis is made. Communication of significant, unexpected diagnoses should occur as soon as practical; pathologists may exercise their judgment as to the appropriate timing of communication.
5. Pathologists should communicate verbally and directly with physicians, but other satisfactory methods of communication may be established and validated by each institution. Backup communication plans should be developed for those circumstances in which a physician is not available.
6. Pathologists should document the communication. This can be done in the original pathology report, as an addendum, in the electronic medical record, or by another mechanism. Documentation should include the person with whom the case was discussed, the time and date, and when appropriate, the means of communication.

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Effective Communication of Urgent Diagnoses and Significant, Unexpected Diagnoses in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

October 13, 2011

Last Updated Month/Year

June 21, 2023

Document Type

Consensus

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To promote effective communication of urgent and significant, unexpected diagnoses in surgical pathology and cytology.

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Infant, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Hospital, Operating and recovery room, Outpatient

Intended Users

Social worker, healthcare business administration, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Prevention, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D011315 - Preventive Medicine, D007400 - Interprofessional Relations

Keywords

communication, Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
34
Literature Search Start Date
May 1, 2010
Literature Search End Date
November 1, 2016