Most of the responders here are discussing blood tests; the examples in the WSJ article that were disturbing were pathology reports. It would be easy to exclude those, as well as imaging studies. The latter are much harder for patients to interpret correctly than are lab tests.

I’ve always been a believer in informed patients sharing decisions, but it doesn’t work for everyone.

I also admit that I hate HIPAA with a passion; it has ended collegial discussion of cases; put locks on all the clinic doors; and made discussion of family issues with the doctor almost impossible. Good intentions once again have led to unintended consequences, with benefits only for lawyers.

I get results from my blood tests in a few days while my next appointment may be 2 weeks out. I doubt the doctor will look at my results before he sees me in person.

It's a statistical fact that people who buy annuities live longer than people who buy life insurance.

I personally like the change of getting the results right away. I do my own research on what everything means. Then I look to see what the doctor says later.

If I see some results that get my attention, I call the doctor. I'll get some sort of explanation from a nurse who either knows the answer or consults with the doc and the nurse gets back in touch.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

You’re Seeing Medical Test Results Before Your Doctor Does. Why?

Nothing wrong with it. A little exaggeration here, but a patient will basically camp out at the laboratory's website refreshing it every 5 minutes for his/her resuts. The doctor has tons of results and other patient care related tasks. It's unrealistic to expect him to call you the instant the results are made available. Much ado about nothing.

^^^^^
Guilty as charged. OK maybe not quite that bad but I get monthly tests and I know what to look for. My nephews are doctors and one of the Miss BB61s is a RN. If I have any questions before my doctor calls, I annoy them. LOL.

I like the early release.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I am in favor of that with one exception. In case of a Cancer diagnosis it is much better to hear the news from the doc along with possible treatment suggestions. It is not to soften the blow but rather present treatment options.

That’s going to happen anyway. They don’t give a CA diagnosis and then say “Well, see ya later…maybe.”
I want to see ALL my results ASAP. If I don’t have a complete grasp on what the low, medium or high risk is, I have many trusted sources to consult.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:

^^^^^
Guilty as charged. OK maybe not quite that bad but I get monthly tests and I know what to look for. My nephews are doctors and one of the Miss BB61s is a RN. If I have any questions before my doctor calls, I annoy them. LOL.

I like the early release.

Same thing with one of my brothers. Every time he gets his results, he does his research, and he'll consult with me, before seeing his PCP.

I have no problems with the information being on early. If you don’t want the info before seeing the doctor then don’t look. Simple as that.

I had to take my kid for a strep throat test and my wife texted me while I still the exam room it was negative.

quote:

I also admit that I hate HIPAA with a passion; it has ended collegial discussion of cases; put locks on all the clinic doors; and made discussion of family issues with the doctor almost impossible. Good intentions once again have led to unintended consequences, with benefits only for lawyers.

Agreed. Administrators and their corporate lawyers draft all the rules. We were just the lowly serfs who did the grunt work.

RMD

I'm an ER Nurse and my hospital has MyChart where patient's have immediate access to their results. I'll say upfront, I like informed patients and I enjoy having intelligent conversation with them. That said, we really wish certain patients did not have real time access to their results.

We almost jokingly say we wish there was a time delay on results. In all seriousness, I wish results were not released at least until the doctor writes a disposition for the patient and has time to discuss them with the patient.

Some of the scenarios we face;

Scenario 1, in general happens all of the time, but this individual took it to the extreme.

Answers call light:
"My test results are back why aren't I discharged?"

"Sir, that's just your lab results. You also underwent an MRI and we're still waiting for the official interpretation of that. Once we have that and the doctor writes a disposition, I'll be happy to discuss it and discharge if that's the order."

"But, I want to be discharged now!"

"Sir, I'll be happy to discharge you once I receive orders from the doctor. If you want to leave, I cannot keep you here and I'll be more than happy to bring you the paperwork so that you may leave against medical advice."

"Fuck you! You can't make me stay here!" Patient then calls 911, "Help I'm in the hospital and they're keeping me against my will..."


Scenario 2, happens all of the time and this is a fictional generic description.

Answers call light:
"This number's red what does it mean?"

"Ma'am, you're blood glucose is at 101, normal range is 70 to 100. That is only 1 point out of range and not really worth consideration."

"Am I dying?"

"No ma'am, you're not dying. Like I said, it's only 1 point above normal range and statistically insignificant."

"But why is it red?"

"Ma'am, it's red because it is out of the 'Normal' range, but it's such a small amount that it's not a concern."

"Am I dying? You'd tell me if I was dying, right?"

"Ma'am, you're not dying, it's 1 point above normal range, it's insignificant, it's nothing to worry about...."


Scenario 3, the one I really hate, fictional account but it really happens.

Answers call light:
"The radiologist report states, 'Metastatic colon cancer to liver' what does that mean?"

Never an easy answer to that. Try and be as gentle as I can and explain that I'm just an ER nurse who knows a little about everything and by no means an expert in cancer. Suggest that they save these questions for when the doctor comes in to explain the diagnosis and situation to them. It just really sucks when the patient discovers this for themselves. There's absolutely no way to prevent them from thinking of worst case scenarios before they even know what they are truly dealing with.

quote:

Fuck you! You can't make me stay here!" Patient then calls 911, "Help I'm in the hospital and they're keeping me against my will..

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You need to add this: OK you can leave but it will be an AMA discharge and your insurance will not pay the bill.