Document Type

Research Project

Publication Date

12-2016

Abstract

The medical community struggles with timeliness issues throughout the different healthcare environments in many areas of patient care. The demands of meeting patient care needs is great everywhere. One area that can lead to extreme adverse outcomes and affects patient safety is failure to review and follow-up on medical test results timely. In addition the lack of timely follow-up and treatment can lead to medico-legal implications for all healthcare professionals involved in the patients care. Some timeliness issues have been attributed to understaffed healthcare institutions, lack of trained staff, and in many instances inefficient and insufficient processes. This is an important issue to improve and is very complex in nature. This study will examine the timeliness review of diagnostic test results and if the electronic health record has improved the process. Procedures will be reviewed and any adjustments will be made depending on the outcome of the analysis.

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