Critical values in pediatric surgical pathology

Timely communication of significant or unexpected findings in surgical pathology can significantly improve patient care. Although surgical pathology critical values have been published, no systematic assessment in pediatric surgical pathology has been published. We surveyed pediatric pathologists and pediatric subspecialists to develop pediatric surgical pathology critical values for verbal reporting before the final pathology report. A policy and process for reporting and documentation was implemented, with retrospective and prospective quality review. Critical values cases constituted 9.4% of surgical pathology accessions. Retrospective analysis revealed that 80% (73/91) had been reported and documented before policy implementation. Following implementation, 97.3% (402/413) were verbally reported and documented. A multidisciplinary group provided valuable information about critical values that might not have been obvious to pediatric pathologists but are important for patient care. Although the term critical values has become embedded in the surgical pathology literature, we would propose an alternative term for significant or unexpected findings that require timely communication and documentation.