Medical Staff

Hospital test results often sent to PCP's office too late

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, April 18, 2007

An April 10 article in The Washington Post reports on findings that roughly 85% of patients visit their PCP before a summary of their last hospitalization arrives. Such lags in the transfer in patient data can pose significant problems considering that many PCPs have relinquished their role in the hospital to hospitalists.  

The article cites a 2003 study showing that 49% of patients suffered at least one medical error in the two months post-hospitalization, often because the outpatient physician did not know what treatment the patient received in the hospital or what tests, studies, labs, etc. were left to perform. 

Delays in the transfer of information are less likely when all parties involved in a patient's care have the same information and no one "has to remember to deliver it," the article asserts. As a result, electronic records are especially helpful. 

To read the full article, go to: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/06/AR2007040601911.html

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