The Importance of Delivering Timely Test Results

• One cause of delayed diagnosis and treatment is failure to communicate test results.  
• Nurses play a crucial role in tracking tests until the results are available and ensuring that patients with abnormal results receive the recommended follow-up care, thereby taking proactive steps in patient care.  
• Nurses, through their prompt and proper communication of test results, play a significant role in aiding treatment and promoting trust, making them an integral part of the healthcare process.  

Patients should know the results of any medical tests they’ve undergone promptly, yet the failure to communicate that information is among the reasons some patients received delayed diagnoses and treatments.

When abnormal tests are not correctly reported, the consequences to patients can be severe —even fatal. Plus, patients can be put in the position of trying to interpret lab results themselves. This can happen if the patient receives their results in their medical chart online but without communication from healthcare staff on what the results mean. This can enhance a patient’s anxiety about their health status and confusion about what their results mean.

When this happens, patients may find themselves searching the internet for an explanation, furthering their confusion.

4 Steps for Managing Test Results

1. Track tests until results have been received: Set reminders to check that you received a pending test result. Advise the patient to call the office if they haven’t been contacted about their results in the time frame given to them. Sometimes, results may get lost, delivered to the wrong ordering physician, or never be received due to another error. In these cases, the test may need to be repeated. It’s essential to have a system in place for proper tracking of all pending test results.
2. Notify patients of results: Once the physician reviews the results, they will either talk to the patient themselves or have the nurse follow up. All physician orders for lab result communication must be followed, and any medication or treatment added should be communicated to the patient. If the patient has any questions, answering them to the best of your ability is essential to ensure they understand their healthcare plan moving forward.
3. Document patient notification: It is essential to document the communication between you and the patient about their results and their care plan. The more detailed you can be, the better. This will help you and other medical staff when referring to the patient’s chart later.
4. Ensure patients with abnormal results receive recommended follow-up care: Assist in scheduling follow-up doctor visits or other diagnostic procedures. If the nurse assists patients in scheduling these follow-up procedures, they will likely follow up to manage their healthcare. 

Outcomes of Prompt and Proper Communication of Test Results

1. Better patient understanding: When medical staff communicate with the patient directly and take the time to address concerns and answer questions, the patient better understands their health status and is less likely to research the results. Medical terminology can confuse patients, and having a nurse explain it to them is beneficial.
2. Quicker diagnosis and treatment: When results are communicated promptly, this allows for faster diagnosis and treatment of chronic health conditions and other time-sensitive medical issues. Good news may not always be delivered to the patient, but quick delivery of results, good or bad, leads to faster treatment. This can result in a more favorable prognosis and positive outcomes for the patient.
3. Promote trust between medical staff and the patient: When the medical team stays on top of patients’ healthcare and takes the initiative to communicate, it helps foster a trusting and secure relationship for the patient. The patient is more likely to trust their care team and comply with their care. 

The Bottom Line

Undergoing diagnostic procedures and lab testing can be overwhelming and distressing for the patient. The longer the patient waits for their results, the more concerned they may become. The faster that medical staff can receive and communicate these results to the patient, the better for the patient’s peace of mind and health outcomes. 

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