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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10971
Location: WI, USA
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 Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:48 pm Post subject: Abnormal Test Results May Not Get to Patients |
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In the past, you have probably heard me make the suggestion of getting copies of your medical records - lab tests in particular. Here's more proof...
Abnormal Test Results May Not Get to Patients
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/health/23patient.html?_r=1&ref=health
| Quote: | If you think your doctor will automatically tell you if you have an abnormal test result, think again. Researchers studying office procedures among primary care physicians found evidence that more than 7 percent of clinically significant findings were never reported to the patient.
The scientists, led by Dr. Lawrence P. Casalino, an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, reviewed the records of 5,434 patients at 19 independent primary care practices and four based in academic medical centers. They extracted records that contained abnormal results for blood tests or X-rays and other imaging studies, and then searched for documentation that the patient had been properly informed of the problem in a timely way.
Results varied widely among the primary care practices, and all but the smallest — those with fewer than eight doctors — had at least one failure. In two of the largest academic medical centers, with a combined 80 primary care specialists, 23 percent of abnormal results were never mentioned to the patients.
For patients, Dr. Casalino said, the message is simple. “Don’t assume that ‘no news is good news’ when you have tests done. That’s a very dangerous assumption. If you’ve had a test done and you don’t hear about it after a week or two goes by, call the doctor’s office.”
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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nancw
Joined: 04 Oct 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I heard this on NPR this morning. Not too shocking to those of us who have been through the medical mill, but dangerous for patients! My gastro doc even missed my reaction to casein in my test results. Glad I caught it and cut out dairy. 
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Nance
gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10971
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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| nancw wrote: | | My gastro doc even missed my reaction to casein in my test results. Glad I caught it and cut out dairy. |
ACK! Glad you caught it!
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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nancw
Joined: 04 Oct 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| aklap wrote: | | nancw wrote: | | My gastro doc even missed my reaction to casein in my test results. Glad I caught it and cut out dairy. |
ACK! Glad you caught it! |
I'll reiterate how important it is to have copies of everything - even if the docs roll their eyes when you ask. My binder is getting pretty thick!
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Nance
gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10971
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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I never dealt with the docs. I just went straight to the med record dept. It's your right to have copies of the notes/lab results. It may cost you a small copying fee [that depends on the office], but it's worth it. You will be asked to sign a release of records form. [Peg worked in Med Recs for several years  ]
Since I've been GF, my doc visits are almost nil, but I do have a drawer full of office notes & lab results. That's how I compiled my GF Journey post
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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cruelshoes
Joined: 23 Sep 2005
Posts: 3556
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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I love that my Dr's office posts all the bloodwork results online. No guesswork, and no paper copies. I can even chart test results over time.
Scary that people could be misdiagnosed by not being informed about a positive test result.
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-Colleen
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handcart? |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10971
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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That's pretty cool C. Did you have to sign something allowing them to do that...or to get access? With HIPAA, I suspect they'd have to have something in place. To get paper copies from the medical record dept - you have to sign a release of records form and prove who you are.
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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