Table 1 The multiple-choice questionnaire for the participants
From: Critical value in surgical pathology: evaluating the current status in a multicenter study
Position, level of education, and specialty | |
|---|---|
Questions | Answers |
*Which of the following items should be regarded as a critical/unexpected result? | -No specific entities, wholly at the pathologists' choice -Malignancies associated with superior vena cava syndrome -Any infectious organism in an immunocompromised patient (CMV, herpes, fungus, etc.) -Vasculitis -large vessel in core biopsy specimens -Crescent in a kidney biopsy specimen -Severe rejection in transplant -Necrosis in transplant -All positive acid-fast bacilli results -Any infectious organisms in a lung biopsy -Bacteria in a heart valve or evidence of endocarditis -Fat in endometrial biopsy -Fat in the gastrointestinal biopsy -Herpes in a PAP test of a pregnant patient -Uterine content without villi or trophoblast -Mesothelial cells in the heart biopsy -Fecal matter in peritoneal fluid cytology -Significant discrepancy between the intraoperative frozen diagnosis and the final diagnosis -Significant discrepancy between on-site cytology interpretation and final diagnosis -Significant discrepancy in consultation material between the original and consultation diagnosis -Significant specimen handling/processing issue (e.g., specimen lost or destroyed) -Amended and addendum reports with significant clinical impact |
What is the optimal time to announce a critical/unexpected result? | -Within an hour of the final diagnosis interpretation -Within 24 h of the final diagnosis interpretation -There is no set time expectation |
Which option is the most trustworthy way to communicate about a critical/unexpected result? | -In-person meeting -Phone call -Text message |
Who should be the most acceptable recipient to receive a critical/unexpected result? | -Attending physicians -Residents/fellows -Nurses -Office/administrative staff |
What is the recommended approach for documentation? | -All cases should be documented, along with the date and time of reporting and the recipient's name -It is not necessary to document any report |
What is the acceptable concept for a significant unexpected diagnosis? | -A diagnosis that is inconsistent with the clinical data -A malignant diagnosis without a previous history of malignancy -Diagnosis of a rare tumor -Diagnosis of a common tumor in an unusual location |
What is the preferred plan for critical diagnoses that are not included in the checklist? | -Follow the same protocol as a critical- unexpected diagnosis -The individual pathologist should decide whether or not special communication with the clinical team is necessary -It should be communicated as other routine cases |