title: Impact of Continuous Improvement of Laboratory Test Result Comments on Requests for Consultation:  A Case Series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Test interpretation is an important part of the brain-to-brain loop. Poor test comments can lead to calls for explanations and impair test interpretation and possibly patient care. There has been little study on quality improvement of test result comments. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of improvements in test comments on requests for consultation by clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  We monitored the volume of requests for consultation regarding test results before and after a test comment was modified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Modifications of test comments eliminated calls for three different tests. Reductions were statistically significant for all tests (P < .007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality improvement activities targeted at test comments can improve service, reduce costs, and improve patient care.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT. Robert.Schmidt@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Jeanne J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Panlener
authors.affiliation: ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carasso
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Jerry W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hussong
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Quality improvement; Test comments; Test interpretation