Improving Diagnostic Data Communication Processes for Better Patient Care and Hospital Efficiency

Abstract

When physicians order tests, the ability to ensure that they and their patients see the results in a timely manner can have a dramatic effect on patient care and satisfaction. Not only are delays inefficient for practitioners and health care organizations, but they can also be dangerous for patients. Relying on traditional delivery methods and recordkeeping practices no longer satisfies the demands of today’s regulatory requirements or of modern health care standards. Technology solutions available today can enable test results or alerts to be delivered quickly and completely to mobile or other communications devices. In most instances, complete test and image detail can be provided. The practitioner can then order treatment, initiate further consultations or tests, and even approve patient discharges from wherever he or she may be located. These systems also create a comprehensive audit trail, tracking receipt of test results and the response to the information. This article will discuss recent developments in mobile health care information technology, including how this communications technology works in theory and in practice. It also provides a case study of one health care organization’s successful adoption of the technology.