Lactic acid critical value change addresses provider concerns, aligns with region

Starts June 29

Salem Health Laboratories is updating how critical lactic acid test results will be communicated to clinicians.

Starting Monday, June 29, providers will receive a notification for all lactic acid values greater than 1.9 mmol/L. Previously, clinicians were only notified of the initial critical value.

This change:

• Addresses provider concerns regarding missed critical lactic acid results.
• Aligns with how critical lactic acid results are managed in other regional health systems.
• Results in about 750 additional critical value notifications per month.

Questions?

Email Clinical Support Operations System Director Karl Kamper or Laboratory Manager Jenny Clow.