Calling patients with test results

Published

Specializes in nursing ethics.

In an outpatient clinic are nurses supposed to call their patients on phone with results of the x rays blood tests etc?  I was told that they will call only if it is urgent and bad.  But patients don't know that rule. Does this depend on the doctor or clinic? Yesterday I called and the nurse would not return the call. I saw the results on my online health portal but wanted clarification 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I thought only providers were supposed to notify about lab results. Could be wrong.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm gathering you are a patient? I would contact the providers' office and clarify your questions or use the patient portal as you did. Yes, in many offices, the nurses or MOA (medical office assistants) will call either for f/u or lab results. Thats pretty much the norm. I'm an APRN and I do call some pts with results if I feel there is a need such as an abnormality that wasn't expected or if it is very serious ie a positive (cancerous) biopsy. Otherwise the office staff call. Hope this helps. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would think this is company policy. We called or sent messages through MyChart (patient preference). Providers only called with urgent results (cancer or something way out of the ordinary). 

Can you ask a question through your patient portal? I'm wondering if short-staffing is the issue. It takes a lot of time to room patients, administer treatments, convey results, process prior auths, etc, etc. Some offices are down to one MA per provider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion