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Should doctors be required to report significant test results to patients?

And yet, doctors and regulators balk at requiring testing doctors – pathologists and radiologists – to directly communicate significant results to patients. To avoid adverse outcomes for patients, test-performing doctors must be required to report significant test results directly to the patient as well as the ordering doctor.

What happens if you don’t report abnormal test results?

When abnormal test results are not properly reported, the consequences can be serious and even fatal. The Seattle medical malpractice lawyers at Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC can help if you have reason to believe that you or a loved one was harmed by a negligent breakdown in the communication of medical test results.

Why won’t the medical profession let patients see their test results?

The medical profession must end its refusal to allow direct reporting of significant test results to patients from pathologists and radiologists. Misdiagnosis due to miscommunication is not uncommon. As many as 62% of laboratory and 36% of imaging results are overlooked by care providers. (Getty Stock images)

Do test results go back to the doctor who ordered them?

For a patient who has been to the emergency room, their test results go back to the test-ordering doctor they saw in the ER two days ago, not the doctor they are seeing today. This new doctor doesn't know that a test is pending on the patient; the ER doctor who ordered the test may not see their patient again.

Why do doctors not report back results?

The most common issue with physicians who fail to report back test results is a delayed diagnosis. For example, a patient goes to their doctor complaining of stomach pain. The doctor orders blood tests and a scan of the stomach and tells the patient they will call only if there is anything abnormal to report.

What happens if a doctor doesn't notify the patient of the results?

When a doctor does not notify the patient of the results, a medical mistake might have occurred. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, physicians fail to inform patients about abnormal results 7 percent of the time. Doctors offices, clinics, and hospitals are busy places. They see dozens of patients in a day, ...

What is misdiagnosis in medical?

Misdiagnosis occurs when the patient is diagnosed with one condition but has another. A physician might be too busy to review lab results, or they are in a hurry to push a patient out the door so that they can move on to another. In this case, they diagnose without reviewing the results and the diagnosis is wrong.

How to contact Gladstein Law Firm?

To explore your options or to understand your rights as a patient, contact the Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC, now at 502-791-9000 or contact us online. We offer no-obligation, confidential consultations. Contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC. online or by calling 502-791-9000.

What happens if you are misdiagnosed?

If you suffered an injury from a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis because your physician failed to communicate test results, you have the right to hold them liable for those injuries.

Why do doctors need to review test results?

Medical professionals are also required to review a patient’s test results to diagnose correctly, and they should consider those results before prescribing medications or treatments for a diagnosis that they have not confirmed. One of the causes of medical misdiagnosis is a failure to communicate test results.

What is the number to call for lab results?

Alternatively, the physician and staff simply forgot. online or by calling 502-791-9000.

What happens if a doctor doesn't report abnormal results?

If your doctor does not report abnormal test results, he or she is breaching the duty of care owed, and it is almost always considered malpractice. In some cases, test results may indicate that a patient needs immediate treatment, and failing to take action could put his or her health or life at risk. Medical facilities should report all abnormal ...

Do doctors owe their patients a reasonable standard of care?

Doctors owe their patients a reasonable standard of medical care, legally. If you have medical tests conducted, never assume that no news is good news. While many offices have a policy of not calling when normal test results come in, the statistics indicate that medical professionals fail to tell patients of abnormal results 7% of the time.

Should medical facilities report abnormal test results?

Medical facilities should report all abnormal test results to patients and record that notification as a proof of the interaction. Sadly, unreported abnormal test results are one of the most common reasons patients file medical malpractice claims.

Who dictates a report for a radiologist?

However, the radiologist or cardiologist dictates a formal report and sends it to the doctor who ordered the test. That doctor is responsible for following up the results, and if there is additional treatment or a further study required, the doctor who ordered the test is responsible for informing you.

Who noticed the X-ray report?

When the plaintiff then returned to pick up a copy of his X-ray at the office of the cardiologist, the cardiologist noticed the report for the first time, and he told the plaintiff then — for the first time — to get a CT scan.

What is a hypothetical case?

Take, for instance, the following hypothetical ( based on an actual case): A patient with chest pain visits her doctor, a cardiologist, who orders a routine chest x-ray before a planned cardiac catheterization. Unfortunately, due to the “routine” nature of the chest x-ray the cardiologist does not follow-up to review the x-ray images or radiology report, which revealed that the plaintiff had a sizeable mass in one of his lungs.

What is the purpose of a follow up CT scan?

The radiologist who interpreted the x-ray recommended that the plaintiff undergo a follow-up CT scan to obtain further information about the mass — specifically to determine whether it was cancerous. However, the report was simply filed away and the patient was never notified of the results.

How long does it take for blood work to come back after discharge?

Most Emergency Departments have a system set up to let patients know of abnormal blood test results that come back from the laboratory hours or days after the patient is discharged.

Why are diagnostic tests important?

The test results may be critically important to the health of the patient, but only if they are actually reviewed and correctly interpreted by their health professional.

Do you have to follow up on a diagnostic test?

If you have tests done in the ER or in your clinic, it’s important to be certain you always follow up on the test results. If you or a loved one has not received the critical results of a diagnostic test until long after the test was done, and you have a medical condition that has deteriorated as a result, you probably have some recourse under ...

Why do doctors not disclose test results?

A doctor might fail to disclose test results for several reasons. For one, they may simply forget to tell the patient about the test results. More often, test results can be lost or confused along the chain of communication in a hospital . Test results are often relayed between several different people, such as from a nurse to ...

What happens if a doctor fails to disclose results of a medical exam?

If your doctor has failed to disclose the results of your medical exam, you may be entitled to legal relief. You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible while the events are still fresh in your recollection. An attorney can help specify your course of action if you have been injured as a result of your doctor’s errors.

Why is it important to keep medical records?

These records and receipts may be useful in reminding yourself and others what tests have been performed on you and what test results you are currently entitled to receiving.

Do you have to know the results of a medical exam?

As the patient, you are entitled to know the results of your medical exams. All medical professionals are held to a high standard of medical care, and that standard of care includes informing the patient of the outcome of any medical test or examination, such as a colonoscopy or a mammogram, that is performed on them. Your doctor should also inform you of the purpose of the medical exam, and also of any dangers or side effects that might result from the exam.

Can you file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Additionally , you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your injury is particularly serious. You will have to prove in court that you received actual injuries as a result of the doctor’s failure to communicate test results. Also, you will need to prove that the failure to communicate test results is directly traceable to your doctor.

Why do pathologists and radiologists use communication?

Pathologists and radiologists use it to maintain control over their time; they do not get paid to talk to patients. Not allowing direct communication of results to patients adds needless anxiety: The time from report finalization to communication is longer if there is an intermediary.

How did Patrick Sheridan die?

Patrick Sheridan died from a missed diagnosis of cancer. His pathology report had been overlooked by his surgeon. Julia Berg also died from misdiagnosis after her surgeons failed to note that her lab report diagnosed her with infectious mononucleosis. [.

Which is better: pathologist or radiologist?

Direct reporting by pathologists and radiologists is better: The pathologist and the radiologist are also the patient's doctor, and they can explain the result better. In fact, we know that direct patient communication from test performing doctors reduces missed and miscommunicated results.

How to ensure safe, high quality care?

The only way to ensure this is to require that testing doctors communicate significant results directly to patients.

Do doctors have to report test results?

To avoid adverse outcomes for patients, test-performing doctors must be required to report significant test results directly to the patient as well as the ordering doctor. They can do so through a simple phone call.

Is it difficult to keep up with the wide array of tests available today?

Some test results are also misunderstood by doctors. Health care providers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the wide array of complex tests available today. Increasing sub-specialization further limits familiarity with what test results mean, especially those outside of one's specialty.

Do pathologists have to report significant results?

In some cases, the missed result is critical, with devastating consequences for patients. And yet, doctors and regulators balk at requiring testing doctors – pathologists and radiologists – to directly communicate significant results to patients. To avoid adverse outcomes for patients, test-performing doctors must be required to report significant ...

How many physicians do not notify patients of abnormal test results?

The same study also reported that one-third of physicians do not always notify patients of abnormal test results.

What happens if you report cancer test results too late?

For instance, if test results that reveal cancer are communicated too late and the patient has to then undergo intensive treatment because of the advanced stage of illness, the patient may be able to show that unnecessary harm was caused by the negligent delay in reporting the test results.

Why is misdiagnosis important?

Among the leading causes of medical misdiagnosis is a failure to communicate diagnostic test results. Communication of a diagnosis is arguably as important as the diagnosis itself. Patients deserve to know the results of the medical tests they receive in a timely manner. Test results should also be communicated from the lab or testing facility to the medical providers responsible for the patient’s treatment.

What percentage of medical malpractice cases are communication problems?

Research indicates that communication problems are a factor in up to 80 percent of medical malpractice cases. One study concluded that physicians did not acknowledge 36 percent of abnormal radiologic results. Another study found that 17-32 percent of physicians reported having no reliable method for ensuring that test results are received. ...

What is screening test?

Screening tests, on the other hand, are performed on patients who are considered to be at risk of developing a disease or condition – for example, routine mammograms for women and PSA screenings for men. Medical testing can also be categorized as laboratory tests and imaging tests.

What is medical testing?

Medical testing can also be categorized as laboratory tests and imaging tests. The former includes testing of blood and other body fluids as well as tissue samples, while the latter includes tests such as X-ray, MRI, CT, and EKG.

Can a patient be sued for a failed communication?

Harm, however, must be suffered, as a patient who suffers no injury after a failed communication will probably have no basis for a lawsuit. Note, however, that harm can include the progression of an injury or condition.

How to see if an appointment was rescheduled?

If you click on the appointment and scroll down to the History & Status section of the appointment panel, you can see if the appointment was rescheduled and if a survey was already sent out for this appointment. If the survey says “completed” and the date listed is earlier than the appointment time (For example, if you see “Completed 4 days ago” go but the appointment is today)– then this means that the patient had already completed the survey prior to the appointment being rescheduled.

Can you send surveys to patients who have booked an appointment?

Because version one of this feature was intended specifically to help clinics pre-screen in-person appointments for COVID-19, the surveys will only be sent to patients who have booked an appointment that is set as “ in-person ” in the treatment settings

Is the unauthorized dissemination of another patient's confidential medical information a HIPAA violation?

Dear Ed, The entity with whom the test results were document ed and ultimately mailed was likely a “covered entity” under HIPAA. If so, the unauthorized dissemination of another patients’s confidential medical information was technically a HIPAA violation. You can certainly contact the entity which mailed you the test results ...

Can you contact the entity that mailed you the results?

You can certainly contact the entity which mailed you the test results and make clear to them you were not the patient listed on the test results. But the only person who has a right to claim a violation was the other patient. If the patient’s name and contact information is listed on the test results, you can contact the patient ...

What happens if you point out a missing test result?

If, as you point out, the test results go missing, you have no way of knowing and may assume [wrongly] that there was a negative finding and all was well. It is for that reason, it is important to ensure that the loop has been closed on every test result.

Is it important to close the loop on a knee test?

In those cases, even though the test has not found anything, it’s vital for the physician to close the loop. “It’s extremely important to communicate with your patient,” said Dr. Martino. “If there’s a particular test with a particular complaint, such as knee pain, then we go back to the blackboard, and come up with a plan for diagnosis.”.

Can a family doctor know what tests were done?

As the family physician has no way of knowing what tests were done by the specialist unless this was communicated to them, Dr. Charles suggested patients call their family physician before their appointment to ensure test results have been received.