No news is not always good news

The New York Times reported on a new study by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College that shows that more than 7 percent of clinically significant test results are never reported to the patient. The tests included significant results from blood tests, x-rays and other imaging studies that would potentially affect the patient's ongoing treatment. The results show gaps in communication between physicians' offices, specialists and labs, that can result in important results, and possibly the next steps in treatment, falling through the cracks. It also shows the importance of patient communication. If a patient doesn't hear the results with a week or two, the patient should nudge the lines of communication by calling the physician's office and inquiring.