By Cheryl Clark, MedPage Today
Fearing that some patients might freak out after seeing bad news in their electronic health portals before their doctors have reviewed results, some pathologists have adopted creative strategies.
They're trying to get the lab report's bad news to the treating physician first.
"One workaround I've heard about is that the pathologist picks up the phone and calls the treating physician who will receive the results," before it becomes an electronic record, Emily Volk, MD, president of the College of American Pathologists, told MedPage Today.
"I know some practices are attempting to give the doctor a heads-up" when a specimen analysis shows spreading disease, so they can prioritize a phone call to that patient before the patient goes into that portal. Patients can misunderstand, become confused, or think the end is near.
Of course, she said, "that adds work, it adds time to the already busy lives of physicians," Volk said, adding that her pathology practice has not adopted this strategy.
It also means they could "run the risk" of delaying the report and being in violation of the new rule, she acknowledged. What if the pathologist can't reach the doctor right away?
Volk was referring to the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes the Information Blocking rule that took effect April 5. It requires healthcare professionals to deliver to the patient's electronic portal the results of their tests and studies in 16 categories as soon as they are electronically available, regardless of whether the physician has had a chance to read those results or talk with the patient about them, put them in context, and discuss further options for care.
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