TEST RESULTS

Of a sample of family practice and internal medicine physicians, about a quarter had no reliable method of checking whether they received the results of tests¹.

A third of physicians did not always notify patients of abnormal results. Such failure has resulted in successful suits for negligence.

Nearly a half did not always document the notification, thereby exposing themselves at times to malpractice liability.

Three-quarters had no reliable method for identifying patients overdue for follow-up. Although the legal responsibility is not clearly defined, a physician may be liable for resultant damages if s/he failed to remind.

PRACTICE POINT

Physicians often fail to track test results.