The activity is designed to discuss the current practices, gaps, and best practices for communication of urgent and significant/unexpected diagnoses in anatomic pathology.
The goals of the activity are to:
- Improve communication between pathologists and treating physicians to reduce delayed notifications, missed diagnoses, and related diagnostic errors.
- Promote the role of pathologists and laboratory professionals in advancing diagnostic excellence along the diagnosis-to-treatment trajectory.
Key takeaways from the activity include:
- Learners will understand the gaps and opportunities to improve the communication of urgent and significant/unexpected diagnoses in anatomic pathology.
- Learners will be able to take best practices and apply those to their current practice to improve processes for communication and documentation of communication.
- Learners will be able to work with their clinical partners to revise the list of urgent and significant/unexpected diagnoses.
- Learners will be able to revise their policy for the communication of Significant/Unexpected findings (e.g. to comply to College of American Pathologist standard ANP.12175)
Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of pathologists.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:
- Understand current guidelines and practices for communication of urgent and unexpected diagnosis in anatomic pathology.
- Discuss high-priority communication barriers.
- Discuss best practices and recommendations for effective and timely communication of urgent and significant/unexpected diagnoses.
Faculty
Dr. Govind Bhagat, M.D.
Professor of Pathology & Cell Biology @ CUIMC
Director, Division of Hematopathology
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Dr. Varsha Manucha, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pathology
Section Director, Division of Cytopathology
Section Chief, Genitourinary and Head & Neck Pathology
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dr. Sachin Gupta PhD, MBA, MLS(ASCPi)MBi, LSSBB, CPHQ
Scientific Director, Center for Quality and Patient Safety (CQPS)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Faculty Disclosures
All relevant financial relationships for Dr. Bhagat have been mitigated. Dr. Gupta and Dr. Manucha have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accreditation Statement
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
Credit Designation Statement
The ASCP designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ASCP designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 CMLE credit. This activity meets CMP and state re-licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.
For questions regarding CME credit, please contact ASCP Customer Service at 1-800-267-2727, option 2, in the US & Canada or internationally at access code + 3-1-312-541-4890. Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CT.
Method of Participation
To complete the activity and receive credit, the participant in the course. CME certificates will be provided online.
Commercial Support
This activity is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation through a grant program administered by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.