Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives
Abstract Background Communication failures involving test results contribute to issues of patient harm and sentinel events. This article aims to synthesise review evidence, practice insights and patient perspectives addressing problems encountered in the communication of diagnostic test results. Met...
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doaj-077c58524f9847fd969dc6796847ab0b2020-11-25T02:32:27ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632020-09-0120111110.1186/s12913-020-05737-xClosing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectivesBreanna Wright0Alyse Lennox1Mark L. Graber2Peter Bragge3BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton CampusBehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton CampusSociety to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM)BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton CampusAbstract Background Communication failures involving test results contribute to issues of patient harm and sentinel events. This article aims to synthesise review evidence, practice insights and patient perspectives addressing problems encountered in the communication of diagnostic test results. Methods The rapid review identified ten systematic reviews and four narrative reviews. Five practitioner interviews identified insights into interventions and implementation, and a citizen panel with 15 participants explored the patient viewpoint. Results The rapid review provided support for the role of technology to ensure effective communication; behavioural interventions such as audit and feedback could be effective in changing clinician behaviour; and point-of-care tests (bedside testing) eliminate the communication breakdown problem altogether. The practice interviews highlighted transparency, and clarifying the lines of responsibility as central to improving test result communication. Enabling better information sharing, implementing adequate planning and utilising technology were also identified in the practice interviews as viable strategies to improve test result communication. The citizen panel highlighted technology as critical to improving communication of test results to both health professionals and patients. Patients also highlighted the importance of having different ways of accessing test results, which is particularly pertinent when ensuring suitability for vulnerable populations. Conclusions This paper draws together multiple perspectives on the problem of failures in diagnostic test results communication to inform appropriate interventions. Across the three studies, technology was identified as the most feasible option for closing the loop on test result communication. However, the importance of clear, consistent communication and more streamlined processes were also key elements that emerged. Review registration The protocol for the rapid review was registered with PROSPERO CRD42018093316 .http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05737-xPatient safetyTest resultsCommunicationPatient safetyDiagnostic errorRadiology |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Breanna Wright Alyse Lennox Mark L. Graber Peter Bragge |
spellingShingle |
Breanna Wright Alyse Lennox Mark L. Graber Peter Bragge Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives BMC Health Services Research Patient safety Test results Communication Patient safety Diagnostic error Radiology |
author_facet |
Breanna Wright Alyse Lennox Mark L. Graber Peter Bragge |
author_sort |
Breanna Wright |
title |
Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
title_short |
Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
title_full |
Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
title_fullStr |
Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
title_full_unstemmed |
Closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
title_sort |
closing the loop on test results to reduce communication failures: a rapid review of evidence, practice and patient perspectives |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Health Services Research |
issn |
1472-6963 |
publishDate |
2020-09-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Communication failures involving test results contribute to issues of patient harm and sentinel events. This article aims to synthesise review evidence, practice insights and patient perspectives addressing problems encountered in the communication of diagnostic test results. Methods The rapid review identified ten systematic reviews and four narrative reviews. Five practitioner interviews identified insights into interventions and implementation, and a citizen panel with 15 participants explored the patient viewpoint. Results The rapid review provided support for the role of technology to ensure effective communication; behavioural interventions such as audit and feedback could be effective in changing clinician behaviour; and point-of-care tests (bedside testing) eliminate the communication breakdown problem altogether. The practice interviews highlighted transparency, and clarifying the lines of responsibility as central to improving test result communication. Enabling better information sharing, implementing adequate planning and utilising technology were also identified in the practice interviews as viable strategies to improve test result communication. The citizen panel highlighted technology as critical to improving communication of test results to both health professionals and patients. Patients also highlighted the importance of having different ways of accessing test results, which is particularly pertinent when ensuring suitability for vulnerable populations. Conclusions This paper draws together multiple perspectives on the problem of failures in diagnostic test results communication to inform appropriate interventions. Across the three studies, technology was identified as the most feasible option for closing the loop on test result communication. However, the importance of clear, consistent communication and more streamlined processes were also key elements that emerged. Review registration The protocol for the rapid review was registered with PROSPERO CRD42018093316 . |
topic |
Patient safety Test results Communication Patient safety Diagnostic error Radiology |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05737-x |
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