http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/2009/08/28/sending-medical-test-results-directly-to-patients/16302 News and Information from WHYY in Philadelphia Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:54:03 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/2009/08/28/sending-medical-test-results-directly-to-patients/16302/comment-page-1#comment-575 Pam Owens Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:32 +0000 http://whyy.org/cms/news/?p=16302#comment-575 At first glance, it sounds like a great idea for consumers. However, 1) This would be a great increase in employee and postage costs for hospitals. 2) It would create the need for a process to delay sending test results to patients for 10 days. We would also need to send a cover letter to explain to patients why we are sending the results (and to please call the ordering physician for any questions or concerns) 3) There will be concerns related to patient privacy and maybe the requirement of asking the patients at registration whether they want copies sent to their home or another location (especially for patients who do not wish for others in their home to know they had testing done). 4) Until all hospitals have patient portals, this would be very resource-intensive. At first glance, it sounds like a great idea for consumers. However,
1) This would be a great increase in employee and postage costs for hospitals.
2) It would create the need for a process to delay sending test results to patients for 10 days. We would also need to send a cover letter to explain to patients why we are sending the results (and to please call the ordering physician for any questions or concerns)
3) There will be concerns related to patient privacy and maybe the requirement of asking the patients at registration whether they want copies sent to their home or another location (especially for patients who do not wish for others in their home to know they had testing done).
4) Until all hospitals have patient portals, this would be very resource-intensive.

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