Application of human factors methods to understand missed follow-up of abnormal test results.
Rogith D, Satterly T, Singh H, et al. Application of human factors methods to understand missed follow-up of abnormal test results. Appl Clin Inform. 2020;11(05):692-698. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1716537.
Lack of timely follow-up of test results is a recognized patient safety problem in primary care and can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses. This study used human factors methods to understand lack of timely follow-up of abnormal test results in outpatient settings. Through interviews with the ordering physicians, the researchers identified several contributing factors, such as provider-patient communication channel mismatch and diffusion of responsibility.