Page 62 - Avoiding Surgical Mishaps Part 1

SVMIC Avoiding Surgical Mishaps: Dissecting the Risks

responsibility to report test results, (e.g., mammograms), it does

not alleviate the physician of responsibility of ensuring the
patient has been notified of all test results as previously outlined.

The American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics

Opinion 2.1.5 outlines expectations of physicians to ensure that
6
test results are communicated appropriately to patients:

• The patient (or surrogate decision maker if the patient
lacks decision-making capacity) is informed about when

he or she can reasonably expect to learn the results of
clinical tests and how those results will be conveyed.

• The patient/surrogate is instructed what to do if he or she

does not receive results in the expected time frame.

• Test results are conveyed sensitively, in a way that is

understandable to the patient/surrogate, and the patient/
surrogate receives information needed to make well-

considered decisions about medical treatment and give
informed consent to future treatment.

• Patient confidentiality is protected regardless of how
clinical test results are conveyed.

• The ordering physician is notified before the disclosure
takes place and has access to the results as they will be

conveyed to the patient/surrogate, if results are to be
conveyed directly to the patient/surrogate by a third party.

Patient Portals

Practices can make use of electronic patient

portals for notification of normal non-sensitive

6 https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-06/code-of-medical-ethics-chapter-2.pdf

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