Management of Laboratory Test Results in Family Practice

Since completion of this research, a number of OKPRN clinicians have adopted all or portions of our proposed method and have found that it works extremely well. A further modification has been suggested, which is supported by at least one published study.¹³ At the time when the test is obtained, patients are asked to write their own address on the envelope to be used to mail results. This assures that the address is correct and saves the nurse time later, reducing the cost by approximately $0.30 per set of tests.

Acknowledgments

We received financial support from the Presbyterian Health Foundation. We are grateful for the contributions of Ed Farrow, MD; Cary Fisher, MD; Marcia Matthews, MD; Paul Louis Preslar, DO; and the staff of the Oklahoma Center for Family Medicine Research.