why would dr not post ct scan results on patient portal

Releasing imaging results too early – when not enough examination and analysis has been done – or too late can have negative effects on patient experience. One study found that a delay in delivering the results of a scan can cause patients to experience anxiety, as they assume the delay indicates that something bad was found in the scans.

Full Answer

What happens after a CT scan is sent to a specialist?

The specialist will be sent the scan to read, then they will send their findings to your doctor, who will decide if they agree or not. None of this usually happens right away, unless its an emergency situation, like life or death. There is no reason a doctor can’t tell you right away, as long as the facility allows it.

Is it stressful to wait for CT scan results?

Waiting for CT scan results is always stressful - especially when waiting for a diagnosis. I'm not a doctor, just a patient, but I do know that most oncologists prefer to give results, irrespective of whether the news is good or bad, face to face.

Are the answers to a CT scan from the radiology department on point?

The answers already provided by the Radiologist, my fellow CT Radiographer and the Individual from the University of Colorado are ALL “on point” and provide Excellant information/Perspective (s). Please allow me to provide the following “addendum” to those Excellent Answers already submitted.

Can a CT scan tell if something is life threatening?

So it may not be an instant response but if your CT shows something with the potential to be life threatening they should tell you when they figure it out. Why does it take so long to get a CT scan result?

Why has my doctor not called with test results?

And in many cases, doctors may choose not to call patients "because we know that they know we know what's going on, and they trust us, so we don't call unless it's necessary," he says. "We have found when we call patients about lab results, they give us better patient satisfaction scores.

Is no news good news after a CT scan?

If you have had a recent scan, blood test or other kind of medical investigation, the best policy to adopt is “no news is bad news”.

Can radiologists tell you results?

The radiologist writes the report for your doctor who ordered the exam. Typically, the report is sent to this doctor, who then delivers the results to you. Many patients can read their electronic health records online. Sometimes, these records include radiology reports.

What is the point of a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: Recent doctor visits. Discharge summaries.

Why are my CT results taking so long?

In most cases, a CT takes 10-30 minutes. But, depending on the reason for the scan, it can take 45 minutes to an hour. If your CT exam needs a contrast dye, the scanning appointment will take longer. The extra time comes from administering the contrast material and waiting for it to take effect.

How long should I have to wait for a CT scan result?

After analysing the images, the radiologist will write a report and send it to the doctor who referred you for the scan so they can discuss the results with you. This normally takes a few days or weeks.

How long did you wait for CT scan results NHS?

You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks. Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven't heard anything after a couple of weeks.

Should radiologists talk to patients?

Given patient anxiety when cancer is a possible diagnosis, the authors recommend that radiologists communicate normal or nonmalignant findings immediately. When a malignancy is discovered, radiologists and clinicians should consult as soon as possible so that patients may be told quickly and privately.

Do radiologists make diagnosis?

Radiologists are medical doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging (radiology) procedures (exams/tests) such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

What are the disadvantages of a patient portal?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.

What are the pros and cons of using a patient portal?

What are the Top Pros and Cons of Adopting Patient Portals?Pro: Better communication with chronically ill patients.Con: Healthcare data security concerns.Pro: More complete and accurate patient information.Con: Difficult patient buy-in.Pro: Increased patient ownership of their own care.

What information can be accessed through a patient portal?

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 is a radiologist who orders a CT scan?

A doctor specializing in a particular field (like an orthopedist or an ENT or a neurosurgen or a urologist) orders a CT scan. Once CT releases the images to PACS the radiologist read the entire scan 1000s upon 1000s of images. The radiologist looks at everything and comments on everything.

How long does it take for a CT scan to interpret?

If inpatient in a hospital, if the ordering physician is present and your scan is a priority, you might get your results in 30 minutes. It doesn’t take long for a doctor to review a CT scan and interpret. Continue Reading.

How long does it take for a scan to be read?

But at least in the States, it’s unusual for a scan not to be read within 24 hours - unless there is an issue with that particular scan, like the need to obtain an older study done at a different institution, or a computer crash at the facility which is preventing any work from being done.

Can a doctor review a CT scan?

It doesn’t take long for a doctor to review a CT scan and interpret the results. Other medical staff should not/cannot discuss results with you unless given permission by the physician ordering the CT scan. Sid Schwab.

Can a CT scan show prostate cancer?

You might have a CT scan of your body to find out where the cancer is in the prostate and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. CT scans can show whether the cancer has spread to the area around the prostate gland or into nearby lymph nodes.

Why are radiologists opposed to providing their reports directly to patients?

One of the naysayers’ biggest concerns was that patients wouldn’t be able to understand the content of the reports and could easily misinterpret the results for the worst.

What would happen if you didn't understand the medical reports?

According to Johnson, the patients also said that if they didn’t understand the reports, they would take steps to have them translated into lay terms. Some said they would do their own research on the Internet; some said they would ask friends and family who were more knowledgeable about medical terms.

Why did the PA radiology society oppose the bill?

Berlin says the Pennsylvania Radiological Society, among others, opposed the bill because members feared patients wouldn’t be able to understand the reports. Taxin says there also was opposition because the complex bill was poorly written and would have been costly for radiology practices and hospitals to implement.

What is the piece of the puzzle that a radiology report is?

The radiology report is only one piece of the puzzle, and patients recognize that their doctors have the other pieces, such as medical history, symptoms, and physical exam. Their doctors are the ones who can put all the pieces together to reach a diagnosis and suggest treatment options, he says.

How long does it take for a radiologist to report a scan?

The radiologist reads the scan and sends the report to the referring physician. The referring physician reports the results to the patient in a few days to a week.

Do radiologists have to send mammography reports?

About three years ago, a Pennsylvania state representative proposed a bill that would require radiologists to send reports of all exams directly to patients. The representative was the friend of a lawyer who was outraged when his wife wasn’t told of her cancer findings and died, Berlin says.

Does Vanderbilt University have a serious issue with patient access?

Both referring physicians and radiologists, who had multiple concerns about patient access to reports, were reassured that no serious issues had been reported at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, which has been providing its reports directly to patients for several years.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Waiting for CT scan results is always stressful - especially when waiting for a diagnosis.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Queenbee.I know this is all a bit scary but i would try and get on with life as normal as possible unti you get to see your oncologist.this isn't easy , i know..It took 2 or 3 weeks for my results to get to my oncologist and that was without it being over the Christmas period..

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Thanks Dave! Sounds great, and thank you for explaining some of my worries, it's helped a lot.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Thank you for your kind advice! I will continue as normal. Sorry to hear you've also been through some stress - I wish you the best.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Like you, I'm awaiting scan results after neck/throat MRI. It's pretty nerve-wracking, even though I know that the consultant was only being thorough in ordering the scan.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

Hi - chase them up by phone and badger them and explain that the delay is causing you stress and that it IS a cancer referral and not a routine CT scan.

Going mad over waiting for CT Scan results, a bit at a loss!

I was diagnosed with Invasive breast cancer August 2019 following wide excision and removal of sentinel node. It was 4 weeks before getting results and I was advised to have dissection of all axillary nodes. I asked what happens following things and was told staging!!! If necessary CT & bone scan.

Who said "we're not doctors"?

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 in advance, particularly if they are concerned the news might be bad.

Why do we need electronic medical records?

Policymakers have long regarded electronic medical records as a way to foster patient engagement and improve patient safety. Studies have found that between 8 and 26 percent of abnormal lab results were not communicated to patients promptly.

Is Devitt's white blood count abnormal?

Devitt’s white blood cell count and several other tests were flagged as abnormal. Beyond the raw numbers, there was no explanation. “I got really tense and concerned,” said Devitt, 39, a manager of data analysis who lives in New Orleans.

Does portal use increase anxiety?

That echoes a 2016 study led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh. These scientists found that in addition to engaging patients, portal use may increase anxiety and lead to more doctor visits.

Can a path report tell if a tumor is spread?

Don't know if the news will be good or bad, but in any case the report isn't available yet. Good luck with your results... Path report probably will not tell if it is spread... it will focus on the makeup of the tumor, how aggressive, etc.. Other scans will tell if it spread.

Can lab results be faxed?

NEVER assume they will call if test results are not good. ALWAYS get a copy of the lab results, even if they do call you or see you in person. The office can fax you the tests or you can pick them up in person.