Variation in Results Release and Patient Portal Access to Diagnostic Test Results at an Academic Medical Center

Matthew D Krasowski; Caleb V Grieme; Brian Cassady; Nicholas R Dreyer; Karolyn A Wanat; Maia Hightower; Kenneth G Nepple

doi:10.4103/jpi.jpi_53_17

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Variation in Results Release and Patient Portal Access to Diagnostic Test Results at an Academic Medical Center

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Variation in Results Release and Patient Portal Access to Diagnostic Test Results at an Academic Medical Center

Matthew D Krasowski, Caleb V Grieme, Brian Cassady, Nicholas R Dreyer, Karolyn A Wanat, Maia Hightower and Kenneth G Nepple

Journal of pathology informatics, Vol.8(1), pp.45-45

2017

DOI: 10.4103/jpi.jpi_53_17

PMCID: PMC5719583

PMID: 29226008

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Abstract

Electronic health records (EHRs) are commonplace in industrialized countries. Many hospitals are granting their patients access to their medical information through online patient portals. In this report, we describe a retrospective analysis of patient access to diagnostic test results released through the patient portal (MyChart; Epic, Inc.) at a state academic medical center. We analyzed 6 months of data for anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, and radiology test results to evaluate variations in results release (automated vs. manual) and subsequent patient access to the institutional patient portal. During this period, diagnostic test results were released for all patient encounters including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and the emergency department. Manual results release by providers before automated release time occurred most commonly in the outpatient setting. The highest rates of access of diagnostic test results occurred for outpatients (about 30% overall view rate), females (two times or more compared to males in nearly every age bracket), and 20-45-year-old. Access rates of diagnostic tests in the emergency department or inpatient units were <10% across all populations. Access of diagnostic test results was very low for 12-17-year-old, likely influenced by institutional policies limiting parental proxy access within this pediatric age range. Approximately 20% of outpatient laboratory results were viewed by patients within 8 h of release from the EHR to the patient portal and 10% within 2 h of release. Patient accessing of diagnostic test results were generally higher for females, outpatients, and 20-45-year-old. Approximately, 20% of outpatient results were viewed quickly by patients after release to the EHR.

routine diagnostic tests

patient portals

Clinical laboratory information system

medical informatics

electronic health records

personal health records

Details

Title: Subtitle: Variation in Results Release and Patient Portal Access to Diagnostic Test Results at an Academic Medical Center
Creators: Matthew D Krasowski - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Caleb V Grieme - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Brian Cassady - Department of Health Care Information Systems, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Nicholas R Dreyer - Department of Health Care Information Systems, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Karolyn A Wanat - Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Maia Hightower - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Kenneth G Nepple - Department of Urology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of pathology informatics, Vol.8(1), pp.45-45
DOI: 10.4103/jpi.jpi_53_17
PMID: 29226008
PMCID: PMC5719583
NLM abbreviation: J Pathol Inform
ISSN: 2229-5089
eISSN: 2153-3539
Publisher: India
Language: English
Date published: 2017
Academic Unit: Dermatology; Pathology; Urology
Record Identifier: 9984047667302771

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