FAILURE TO FOLLOW UP SPECIALIZED TEST RESULTS OF ADMITTED PATIENTS IN PRIMARY CARE HOSPITAL-AN UNRECOGNIZED PROBLEM

Follow up of Specialized Test Results

Abstract

A number of laboratory investigations are advised for admitted patients for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment response. Most of these tests are performed in the laboratory of the same hospital and their results are usually seen by the concerned doctors during patients’ stay in the hospital. Some specialized tests are sent to reference laboratories and most of these test results are received in laboratory after patients are discharged from the hospital. The World Alliance for Patient Safety has pointed out failure to follow-up test result as one of the major processes contributing to unsafe patient care1. A number of studies have been carried out in the west about the frequency of pending laboratory test results and their adverse effects on the patients’ management2,3,4