Abstract
Background. Few studies have investigated the time it takes physicians to follow up abnormal outpatient laboratory results. Methods. Medical record review of all adult patients seen at a primary care practice between January 2002 and December 2005 with serum potassium results < 6.0 mEq/L. We used a proportional hazards model to assess factors associated with time to follow-up for episodes of hyperkalemia. Results. 259 of 48 333 serum potassium results met inclusion criteria. The median follow-up time was 3 days; after 30 days, 10% of cases had no follow-up. Residing in the same zip code as the clinic (HR = 1.39; P =.029), degree of hyperkalemia (HR = 2.97; P < .001), and renal insufficiency (HR = 1.41; P =.015) were associated with decreased time to repeat testing. Conversely, African Americans (HR =.51; P =.007) had increased time to repeat testing. Conclusions. Follow-up of abnormal laboratory results in outpatients is suboptimal and research is needed to better understand factors that delay follow-up.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 428-437 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | American Journal of Medical Quality |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2007 |
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Keywords
- Abnormal tests
- Ambulatory
- Follow-up
- Hyperkalemia
- Medical errors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy
- Nursing(all)
Cite this
Factors associated with time to follow-up of severe hyperkalemia in the ambulatory setting. / Moore, Carlton; Lin, Jenny; McGinn, Thomas; Halm, Ethan.
In: American Journal of Medical Quality, Vol. 22, No. 6, 11.2007, p. 428-437.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors associated with time to follow-up of severe hyperkalemia in the ambulatory setting
AU - Moore, Carlton
AU - Lin, Jenny
AU - McGinn, Thomas
AU - Halm, Ethan
PY - 2007/11
Y1 - 2007/11
N2 - Background. Few studies have investigated the time it takes physicians to follow up abnormal outpatient laboratory results. Methods. Medical record review of all adult patients seen at a primary care practice between January 2002 and December 2005 with serum potassium results < 6.0 mEq/L. We used a proportional hazards model to assess factors associated with time to follow-up for episodes of hyperkalemia. Results. 259 of 48 333 serum potassium results met inclusion criteria. The median follow-up time was 3 days; after 30 days, 10% of cases had no follow-up. Residing in the same zip code as the clinic (HR = 1.39; P =.029), degree of hyperkalemia (HR = 2.97; P < .001), and renal insufficiency (HR = 1.41; P =.015) were associated with decreased time to repeat testing. Conversely, African Americans (HR =.51; P =.007) had increased time to repeat testing. Conclusions. Follow-up of abnormal laboratory results in outpatients is suboptimal and research is needed to better understand factors that delay follow-up.
AB - Background. Few studies have investigated the time it takes physicians to follow up abnormal outpatient laboratory results. Methods. Medical record review of all adult patients seen at a primary care practice between January 2002 and December 2005 with serum potassium results < 6.0 mEq/L. We used a proportional hazards model to assess factors associated with time to follow-up for episodes of hyperkalemia. Results. 259 of 48 333 serum potassium results met inclusion criteria. The median follow-up time was 3 days; after 30 days, 10% of cases had no follow-up. Residing in the same zip code as the clinic (HR = 1.39; P =.029), degree of hyperkalemia (HR = 2.97; P < .001), and renal insufficiency (HR = 1.41; P =.015) were associated with decreased time to repeat testing. Conversely, African Americans (HR =.51; P =.007) had increased time to repeat testing. Conclusions. Follow-up of abnormal laboratory results in outpatients is suboptimal and research is needed to better understand factors that delay follow-up.
KW - Abnormal tests
KW - Ambulatory
KW - Follow-up
KW - Hyperkalemia
KW - Medical errors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=36149000970&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=36149000970&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1062860607305245
DO - 10.1177/1062860607305245
M3 - Article
C2 - 18006423
AN - SCOPUS:36149000970
VL - 22
SP - 428
EP - 437
JO - American Journal of Medical Quality
JF - American Journal of Medical Quality
SN - 1062-8606
IS - 6
ER -