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Table 2 Survey questions and response rate

From: The frequency of missed test results and associated treatment delays in a highly computerized health system

Items

N responding

1. Indicate your healthcare system.

106

2. In the previous two weeks how many clinic sessions have your practiced?

106

3. How many patients do you see in an "average" session?

105

4. Yesterday, or in your previous clinic session, how many patients were directed to you with the intent that you would inform the patient of the results of a diagnostic study that was ordered by a specialty service?

104

5. In the previous 2 weeks, how many patients have you seen with an "abnormal diagnostic result" that was probably missed by the ordering service and not acted upon? (limit to result either >1 month old or of such a critical nature that a 1 month delay would have been inappropriate)

105

6. Please indicate the type of diagnostic results that had been "missed". Check all that apply:

106

7. In the previous 2 weeks, how many patients did you see who may have had a delay in either diagnosis or treatment due to a "missed diagnostic result" that was overlooked by the ordering service?

106

8. What diagnoses or treatments may have been delayed due to a "missed diagnostic"? Select all that apply:

106

How is your practice generally affected when you are asked to provide results to a patient for diagnostics ordered by a different clinical service? Response choices: 5 point Likert scale anchored with 1= strongly agree 5= strongly disagree

 

9. The time lost as a result of investigating the test is very burdensome to my practice.

106

10. Generally I do not know the significance of the diagnostic test (that I am being asked to provide) in the other services treatment plans for the patient.

106

11. Do you have a method to monitor if patients received scheduled follow ups for abnormal test results?

106

12. How do you assure that all test results you order are reviewed? Select the answer that best describes your practice:

106

Please indicate how helpful you believe each of these potential interventions would be to VA patients to decrease the risk of needless patient harm due to "missed results": Response options were a 4 point Likert scale anchored by 1= probably very helpful and 4= definitely more disruptive than helpful

 

13. Establishing the expectation for patients that all test results will be reported to them.

106

14. Providing copies of all diagnostic test results directly to patients.

106

15. Providing, to the ordering service, summary monthly reports of abnormal labs specific to a diagnosis group (e.g. patients with CAD and LDL>110 or CXR with possible mass).

106

16. Periodic summary reports of patients with abnormal test results that have not received the anticipated clinical response (e.g. abnormal mammograms or elevated PSA).

104

17. Establishment of a consistent process or procedure for the "hand off" of diagnostic test results when a provider is absent or leaves the service.

106

18. The establishment of a consistent SOP for results management and reporting by each clinical service.

102

19. A convenient process for providers to generate results letters to patients.

106

20. A secure voice messaging system to patients for results reporting and instructions from providers.

101

21. A convenient electronic verification when a provider views the diagnostic test result.

103