Early Impact of Pennsylvania Act 112 on Follow-up of Abnormal Imaging Findings
Autor: | Hanna M. Zafar, Govind S. Mattay, Gregory S. Mittl, Tessa S. Cook |
---|---|
Rok vydání: | 2020 |
Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Future studies business.industry Communication Pennsylvania Patient-centered care Medical care Patient care 030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Family medicine Radiologists Medical imaging Humans Medicine Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging Radiology business Follow-Up Studies Healthcare system |
Zdroj: | Journal of the American College of Radiology. 17:1676-1683 |
ISSN: | 1546-1440 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jacr.2020.05.014 |
Popis: | Objective Pennsylvania Act 112 requires diagnostic imaging facilities to directly notify outpatients about significant imaging abnormalities that require follow-up care within 3 months. The effects of Act 112 on patient care are unclear. We sought to characterize follow-up discussions and care received by outpatients with significant imaging abnormalities as defined by Act 112. Methods We evaluated findings flagged for patient notification under Act 112 at our institution over a 1-month period. We analyzed findings for radiologic reporting, follow-up discussions between patients and ordering providers, and follow-up medical care provided. Results Follow-up discussions were documented for 87% of findings (n = 205 of 235) and occurred on average 6.0 days after imaging examinations were performed. Follow-up discussions directly attributable to the Act 112 letter occurred in 0.4% of findings. Follow-up care was provided for 74% of findings on average 31.3 days after imaging examinations were performed. Provider-initiated follow-up discussions occurred earlier and were associated with shorter time to follow-up care when compared with patient-initiated discussions. Direct contact of ordering provider by interpreting radiologist was a significant predictor of occurrence of follow-up discussions and length of time to follow-up care. Discussion Act 112 had a small impact at our institution on improving completed follow-up for abnormal imaging findings. Our results also imply that health systems should encourage timeliness of patient-provider discussions of abnormal imaging findings and facilitate direct radiologist communication with ordering providers. Future studies should evaluate the impact of Act 112 in different practice settings to understand its broader impact on follow-up care. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
Externí odkaz: |