The following is a list of issues related to lost or minimized test results, a not uncommon occurrence given the complexity of our health care system, with the most important issues from a geriatric medicine point of view in bold italics:
- Errors in Test Result Reporting: Miscommunication, incorrect labeling, or data entry mistakes can occur, leading to the loss or misinterpretation of test results. This is especially problematic when tests are critical for monitoring chronic conditions or early detection of serious health issues like cancer or heart disease.
- Fragmentation of Care: People seeing multiple specialists or healthcare providers increases the risk that test results from one provider may not be shared with others. This fragmented approach can result in important results being overlooked or minimized, as each provider may only focus on their own area of expertise rather than the whole picture.
- Delays in Test Results: Sometimes, the process of collecting, testing, and reporting results can be prolonged. You may not be informed about the holdup, and in some cases, these results may become “lost” in the system, either through clerical errors, outdated contact information, or administrative oversights. This can lead to unnecessary delays in treatment or intervention.
- Failure to Act on Results: Even when test results are available, healthcare providers may downplay or overlook them, especially if they seem minor in relation to the older adult’s existing health conditions. For example, subtle changes in lab work or imaging tests that could indicate emerging issues might be considered part of normal aging or not given the immediate attention they require.
- Misinterpretation of Results: Healthcare providers may sometimes minimize abnormal test results in older adults due to assumptions that such changes are “normal” for aging. This is especially true for less obvious signs of disease, such as slight cognitive decline, early stages of dementia, or small changes in kidney or liver function. These subtle changes might be overlooked or treated as non-critical when they actually require closer attention.
- Increased Vulnerability to Test Result Mismanagement: Older adults may not always advocate for themselves or understand the importance of following up on test results. This is particularly true for those with cognitive impairments, hearing/vision loss, or those who rely on family members or caregivers to help manage healthcare. Miscommunication can result in test results not being received or acted upon in a timely manner.
- Technological Barriers: Some older adults may not be comfortable with or have access to the technology used to receive test results, such as patient portals or online health records. As a result, they may not receive critical follow-up notifications, and providers may not be aware of the lack of communication or understanding on the patient’s part.
- Overwhelmed Systems: In areas with healthcare worker shortages or overburdened systems, test results may get lost or delayed. This is particularly concerning in settings that serve large numbers of older adults, where staff may be stretched thin, leading to oversights in test result management.
The test analyzer in the next lesson allows you to enter your own lab results and see what they mean
It’s very important that you talk with your health providers about listed diagnoses in the analyzer report that have not been mentioned or addressed, even though you may be hesitant or embarrassed to bring it up. Your doctors will hopefully even be thankful that you found something important that was inadvertently missed.
Test Analyzer
Click on the next lesson “Test Analyzer” to review recent common test results for potential abnormalities that may have been overlooked and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.