When a result requires telephoning because it falls within the "results to be telephoned" range e.g. Potassium greater than 6.5, the following checks should be made before the result is telephoned:

Out Patients results should be telephoned to the relevant Medical Secretary, If unable to contact the Medical Secretary, telephone results to the Registrar.

If no answer try to contact relevant consultant via Switchboard (Radiopage)

If no answer contact On-Call Medical Registrar.

For Renal Unit patients contact Renal Unit, if no answer contact On Duty Renal Consultant via switchboard (Radiopage) if no answer contact On-Call Medical Registrar.

If only known contact details are the patient’s GP, telephone results to the GP.

If the GP. Surgery is closed, try later. If unable to contact GP by 17:30 Contact GPs Emergency Medical Service.

If problem occurs with above contact Senior member of staff.

Once result has been telephoned, Add the test "T" to the patients file via ERM and time result telephoned.

If it is decided not to telephone the result eg. Previous potassium 1.6 repeat sample 2.7 then add the test NT. Before doing this ensure that the previous result was telephoned.

Samples that have been requested urgently, but do not have abnormal results.

Results will not normally be telephoned to requesting sources with ward terminals unless there is a contact number on the request form .If the requesting source does not have access to a ward terminal every effort should be made to telephone the results to the requesting source. However although we should make every effort to telephone the results it is the final responsibility of the requesting doctor to chase up any urgent requests that have not been telephoned.