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Background
Six expert consensus statements have been developed to assist anatomic pathologists in the creation of a separate policy regarding urgent diagnoses and significant, unexpected diagnoses in anatomic pathology that is separate from critical results or panic-value policies in clinical pathology. Consideration of the specific urgent or unexpected diagnoses to include in such a policy and the plan to communicate these diagnoses to patient care providers are addressed.
The College of American Pathologists and the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology collaborated to develop the "Consensus Statement on Effective Communication of Urgent Diagnoses and Significant, Unexpected Diagnoses in Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology" published in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine in 2012. After a comprehensive review process, this consensus statement was reaffirmed by both organizations in June 2017.
Guideline Information
Guideline status: Active
Published online ahead of print: October 13, 2011
Originally published: February 2012
Reaffirmed: May 2017
Guideline Tools and Resources
Download the following:
- Summary of Recommendations (PDF, 242 KB)
- Methodology Supplement (Supplemental Digital Content)
- Reaffirmation Summary – May 2017 (PDF, 135 KB)