So I get a call from the lab.....

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 13, 2012

At least your lab still calls you. Where I work, there was a memo that told nurses that lab was no longer going to call us if they discarded lab samples (not labeled, hemolysed, lab mishap), we would simply have to check the computer and figure it out.

I asked why, and was told that the lab spent too much time on the phone communicating with nurses about these things.

I guess that shows whose time is considered more valuable.

loriangel14, RN · Nov 13, 2012

Why do you have a problem with this? Isn't it normal for a lab to know what the numbers mean? Our lab always calls us with critical values.

Morganalefey · Nov 13, 2012

Hahahahahha.....that's good stuff.

I got a phone call about a "critical high" INR for a pt on coumadin. INR was 2.5. LOL

mindlor · Nov 13, 2012

HAHAHA and to lori.....do you think K+ of 4.8 is high? Do you think creatinine of 4.1 is a contraindication for dialysis? I dont have time to waster on stupid phone calls........

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

Lab has to call for critical values, but they don't interpret them for us. Our critical high K starts at 6.

Aurora77 · Nov 13, 2012

This makes me love our lab. We get our criticals called, but they do use common sense, like in the INR or dialysis pt example. Thank goodness, that would drive me nuts to get those phone calls.

MInurse.st · Nov 13, 2012

We don't get a call from the lab unless K is over 6.0 And isn't normal K 3.5 to 5

Altra, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

The two examples you cite, OP, seriously warrant some communication with your manager regarding this. This is either a new lab med tech who is misunderstanding normal ranges, or a glitch in a computer system which is spitting out erroneous notifications of "critical" values ... or something else gone wonky.

morte, LPN, LVN · Nov 13, 2012

I would be talking to risk management about this!

At least your lab still calls you. Where I work, there was a memo that told nurses that lab was no longer going to call us if they discarded lab samples (not labeled, hemolysed, lab mishap), we would simply have to check the computer and figure it out.
I asked why, and was told that the lab spent too much time on the phone communicating with nurses about these things.
I guess that shows whose time is considered more valuable.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

Our lab calls with "critical" values. They have to, and they have to chart what RN they spoke with about it.

I've never gotten advice about how to deal with these values from them, however. Occasionally, they will ask questions about how the samples might have been collected, or whatever, especially if there is a drastic change.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

We had one lab tech at my previous job who would just leave us shaking our heads in amazement. During 5am rounds, one patient had a blood glucose of 25. Our protocol was to do a stat blood glucose by blood draw. So we do the test, and immediately feed him. *20* minutes later, get a call from the lab tech.

"Oh my God, your patient in bed so-and-so! Make him eat NOW!! His blood sugar is dangerously low!"

Right, because we were just waiting for you to confirm HOW low it was before we fed the poor man. :facepalm: