abnormal test results released to patient portal

It’s been common practice to delay releasing lab and pathology results to patient portals for a certain period, particularly for abnormal results. This allowed clinicians to review the results before patients could access them and determine how best to deliver the results to patients.

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How do patients engage with patient portals to review abnormal results?

This exploratory qualitative study examined patients’ experiences using their patient portal to access abnormal test results. Though respondents favored access to abnormal test results, there were several concerns. These included concerns related to the need for more timely notification and difficulty interpreting the relevance of a result.

How many tests are released to patients with patient portal accounts?

The objective of this qualitative study was to explore patients' experiences related to abnormal test result notifications through patient portals. The authors conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 13 participants, patients and primary caregivers, between February 2014 and …

Should heath care systems notify patients of abnormal test results?

Using content analysis, the authors explored patient experiences accessing abnormal test results through their portals. Resp ondents strongly favored access to all types of abnormal test results, but they raised several concerns including need for more timely notification and not being able to interpret the exact relevance of the result.

How sensitive are abnormal test results to patients?

Results indicate that more than half of participants did not receive physician explanations to accompany their test results at the time they were received via the portal. Patient engagement and follow up was increased with portal use, as patients who received abnormal results were two thirds more likely to call their physician compared to those who received normal results.

Do doctors call with abnormal results?

Do healthcare providers call you if test results show bad news? They may. If results are concerning, they may call you or have a receptionist call to schedule an appointment. 4 A healthcare provider may also call to assure you everything is okay or discuss any needed follow-up tests.Oct 23, 2021

What does it mean when test results say abnormal?

Positive or abnormal, which means the disease or substance was found. Inconclusive or uncertain, which means there wasn't enough information in the results to diagnose or rule out a disease. If you get an inconclusive result, you will probably get more tests.Dec 3, 2020

Will doctors call if your results are negative?

If a normal or negative test result comes back, the physician can telephone the patient with the “good news,” and patients have the option of canceling the follow-up appointment. Although it is preferable to give bad news face-to-face, there may be times when giving bad news over the phone is unavoidable.Sep 1, 2009

Which information can be accessed through a patient portal test results?

The features of patient portals may vary, but typically you can securely view and print portions of your medical record, including recent doctor visits, discharge summaries, medications, immunizations, allergies, and most lab results anytime and from anywhere you have Web access.

What does abnormal mean in medical terms?

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.Mar 29, 2021

What can cause abnormal blood test results?

Your blood test results may fall outside the normal range for many reasons. Abnormal results might be a sign of a disorder or disease. Other factors—such as diet, menstrual cycle, physical activity level, alcohol intake, and medicines (both prescription and over the counter)—also can cause abnormal results.Dec 8, 2021

How quickly will doctor call with blood test results pregnancy?

Pregnancy blood test This hormone is produced during pregnancy. The time it takes for these tests to result can vary. If a doctor has an in-house laboratory, you may receive your result in a few hours. If not, it could take two to three days.Mar 9, 2018

Is no news good news blood test?

“No news is good news” is what most patients assume when they're waiting to receive test results. But “no news” actually meant “bad news” for one out of 14 patients with troubling labs, according to a study published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine.Jun 27, 2009

How quickly will doctor call with blood test results?

Blood test results can take several minutes to several weeks, depending on the test. It is common to wait a day or two for most results to come back. A person should talk to their doctor or lab about what to expect regarding their test results.Oct 28, 2019

What makes the patient portal different from a PHR?

The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered).Sep 6, 2012

What are the security issues associated with engaging patients through an online patient portal?

Some of these risks include: reliance on the patient portal as a sole method of patient communication; patient transmission of urgent/emergent messages via the portal; the posting of critical diagnostic results prior to provider discussions with patients; and possible security breaches resulting in HIPAA violations.Mar 1, 2021

What is a patient portal How will the patient portal enhance the quality of care?

Background. Engaging patients in the delivery of health care has the potential to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Patient portals may enhance patient engagement by enabling patients to access their electronic medical records (EMRs) and facilitating secure patient-provider communication.

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What is ONC blocking?

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's (ONC) new information blocking requirements, which took effect last month, aim to make it easier and faster for patients to access their electronic health information (EHI). ONC has made it clear that providers largely can no longer delay the release of EHI to patients, including lab and pathology test results.

Is patient data siloed?

Patients' health care data has long been siloed, existing largely in paper files stored on doctor offices’ shelves or in electronic systems that couldn’t interact with each other. The emergence of patient portals has made accessing and sharing health care data easier for patients, but the process often still moves at what can feel like a snail's pace—especially if a patient is anxiously awaiting the results of a lab or pathology test.

How many patients use portals?

Lab tests (with few exceptions) are now released directly to patients. Studies estimate that between 15 and 30 percent of patients use portals. The push for portals has been fueled by several factors: the widespread embrace of technology, incentive payments to medical practices and hospitals that were part of 2009 federal legislation ...

What is the goal of rapid release?

The goal of rapid release, Hohmuth said, is to “be patient-centered and transparent.”. “The majority [of patients] want early access to their results, and they don’t want it to be impeded” while waiting for doctors to contact them, Hohmuth said, even if the news is bad.

What did Laura Devitt do when she had her two kids?

As she herded her two young sons into bed one evening late last December, Laura Devitt flipped through her phone to check on the routine blood tests that had been performed as part of her annual physical. She logged onto the patient portal link on her electronic medical record, scanned the results and felt her stomach clench with fear.

What does Esparza say about interceding?

Esparza said she intercedes by reminding participants “we’re not doctors.”. One way for a physician to provide guidance, said Stanford’s Schapira, is for doctors to negotiate with patients in advance, particularly if they are concerned the news might be bad.

Who is Lidia Schapira?

Breast cancer specialist Lidia Schapira is an associate professor at the Stanford University Medical Center and editor-in-chief of Cancer.net, the patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Does portal use increase anxiety?

These scientists found that in addition to engaging patients, portal use may increase anxiety and lead to more doctor visits. Among patients with low health literacy and numerical skills, confusion about the meaning of results is common.

Did Maria Esparza have cancer?

Two weeks after Esparaza left the hospital and a week after the report appeared on her portal, one of her doctors confirmed that she didn’t have cancer after all. “It was really traumatic and the one time I wish I hadn’t had access,” said Esparza, an advocate for the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.