A list of chemistry and hematology alert limit tests to be used for the strategy was agreed upon between laboratory professionals and general practitioners. Next, a retrospective 12-month study involving more than 1 million laboratory tests was made to check how many of these alert values would have been communicated if these theoretical alert values had been applied. A prospective analysis of every reported alert value during 6 months was carried out to assess the intervention effectiveness and the requesting physician's satisfaction with the new strategy.
The alert value reporting was successfully executed. 20 % of the reported alert values motivated the decision to reschedule the next patient's appointment. 90 % of physicians considered alert value reporting as an interesting strategy to be continued.
Alert value reporting strategy motivated changes in patient's management. Further studies are needed to test if this approach can contribute to enhance patient safety and decision-making.