A survey of doctors’ perspectives on critical laboratory result communication in Cape Town, South Africa
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Abstract
Background. Critical laboratory results indicate that a patient is in imminent danger without timely intervention, and prompt communication can improve patient safety. Our laboratory has been trialling different methods of communication to improve our service, including the patient referral application Vula.
Objective. To evaluate clinicians’ perceptions of critical laboratory results reported by the Tygerberg Hospital Chemical Pathology Laboratory in South Africa (SA) at various levels of care to identify current challenges, areas for improvement, and preferred communication methods.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey was utilised to explore medical professionals’ perceptions at different levels of health facilities within Cape Town, SA. The electronic survey targeted clinicians employed at the study sites and excluded auxiliary healthcare staff and was distributed from 10 September 2024 to 31 December 2024. The survey collected data on participants’ demographics, experiences, preferences, and expectations regarding critical result communication methods.
Results. A total of 76 responses were obtained; 2 were incomplete and excluded. Over half of the respondents had at least 4 years of clinical experience across various disciplines. The majority (n=71, 95.9%) found the communication of critical results to impact patient care. Direct phone calls were favoured by 45.9% (n=34), whereas 44.6% (n=33) preferred mobile methods such as short message service (SMS) or WhatsApp.
Conclusion. This study provides insights into clinicians’ perceptions of critical laboratory result reporting in healthcare facilities in Cape Town. The findings will help enhance communication practices and develop a standard operating procedure for the Tygerberg Hospital Chemical Pathology Laboratory.
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