decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2018 Issue 7 (July)
Mandate follow-up, have an assistant track results to keep patient tests under control
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Article Overview
This article discusses practice-management approaches for improving diagnostic test result tracking and follow-up in outpatient care. It focuses on workflow changes such as scheduling return visits, assigning staff to monitor results, setting protected review time, and ensuring patients receive and understand results. The piece is aimed at physicians, practice managers, and clinical staff who handle test ordering, result review, and patient communication.
Why This Topic Matters
Missed or delayed test results can lead to delayed diagnosis, incomplete patient communication, and avoidable harm. The article is relevant to practices looking to reduce process errors and strengthen accountability around result review.
Article Sections
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Practice management
Introduces the patient-safety and workflow problem of missed or delayed diagnostic test results. Frames the discussion as a practice-management issue affecting result review and patient communication.
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Make them come back
Describes a follow-up workflow centered on ensuring patients return to discuss results. Emphasizes communication with patients about expectations for receiving results.
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4 more ways to ace tests
Outlines additional operational strategies for handling ordered tests, tracking results, protecting review time, and reducing the chance that results are overlooked.
What You Will Learn
- Common practice workflows used to reduce missed diagnostic test results
- How staff roles can support result tracking and provider follow-up
- Why scheduled review time can help busy practices manage imaging and lab results
- How patient communication policies can support follow-up on all test results
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Practice managers
- Medical office staff
- Clinical support staff
- Health system administrators
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