Patient Access to Lab Results in MN

Published by: webmaster 2009-01-07

Laboratory Genetics at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota::
This effort is ultimately aimed at enhancing clinical patient care. Within each laboratory, board-certified directors and genetic counselors work closely
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Do patients have the right to access their medical lab testing results directly from the lab in the state of MN? If so, can you provide references that prove this point? (I have one lab that says yes. Another that says no, citing that a clinical lab isn't a "provider" under MN law and that a patient is not an "authorized" person according to CLIA.)

Readings on Incidental Findings -Program in Neuroethics - Stanford ::
The University of Minnesota Consortium on Law and Values in Health, .. (1997) Legal and ethical issues of patient access to laboratory results.
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Clinical Laboratory Medical Association News 3-27-08::
Apr 24, 2008 The purpose of this legislation is to ensure patient access, .. is " Laboratory Professionals: Delivering Today's Results for a Healthier
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Hello Kalatraza, According to CLIA, the ordering physician is the only ?authorized person? to receive lab results. As usual, there are exceptions. The physician can make a request that a patient be allowed to receive results directly from the performing lab. Each lab will have its own requirements as to how the physician can give permission; an attached signed note, sent along with the specimen and test requisition, a phone call where the physician can provide the sample requisition number, or a faxed note requesting you be given the results. You DO have the right to have a copy of your lab results, and your doctor will give you a copy. The reason you must obtain the results from a physician actually makes good sense. Most lay people are not familiar with laboratory lingo. This is why its best to have your doctor give you a copy; s/he has the opportunity to explain the values to you. ?Normal? lab results vary person to person, depending on their medical history. A value that might be considered too high for most people, might be where your doctor wants your results, according to your condition. Some patients, particularly leukemia/cancer patients, or patients on coumadin (an anti-coagulant) like to keep close tabs on their results. These patients have been educated in the meaning of the results, and the ordering physician gives the performing lab permission to give the values directly to the patient. As far as Minnesota?s regulations, according to this George Washington University site, Minnesota follows CLIA guidelines for release of lab results. ?Article 16. C.L.I.A. Requirements. All laboratory testing sites providing services under this contract must comply with the C.L.I.A. requirements in 42 C.F.R. Part 493." Minnesota Contract, page 96.? http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/healthpolicy/nnhs4/GSA/Subheads/gsa58.html#MN Here is the most recently amended CLIA regulation, in case you care to read it yopurself: http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/clia/regs/toc.aspx Page 5 of this Word document describes the regulation: ?Regulations promulgated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) require that clinical laboratories disclose test results only to ?authorized persons? (individuals authorized under State law to order tests or receive test results, or both), and, if applicable, the individual responsible for using the test results and the laboratory that initially requested the test. Most states require that clinical laboratories disclose test results only to the ordering physician or his designee. If a state law does not define the term, CLIA defines ?authorized person? as the person who orders the test. As a result, despite generally permissive provisions in the HIPAA Privacy Rule, most state laws prohibit clinical laboratories from disclosing test results to anyone other than the ordering physician or his designee.? This is the link to the HTML version, in case you don?t have MS Word installed. http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:cZwi94mvl-sJ:www.hhs.gov/healthit/ahic/materials/meeting04/ehr/EHRDraftRecs.doc+laboratory+releases+lab+results+only+to+physician&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4 Avera?s Lab policy: ?Testing results will only be released to authorized individuals. Patient results will automatically be reported to the ordering physician or authorized individual via the reporting mechanism established with the originating client facility. If patient results need to be reported to a secondary referring physician and/or facility, a written order must be received indicating where results are to be reported. Patient results will not be released to a secondary referring physician or facility without prior authorization by the primary ordering physician and/or facility. Results will only be released to a patient when a written order to release information is on file from the ordering physician or authorized individual. Patients may also request release of their testing results by completing the appropriate "Medical Release Statement".? http://www.averalabnet.com/default.htm ?Because the Laboratory has a Certificate of Compliance pursuant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, 42 U.S.C. 263a (CLIA), the Laboratory cannot release the results of its testing to anyone other than the health care institution or provider that requested the testing and the Department?s programs that perform public health activities. Therefore, if you wish to obtain your test results, you must ask for them from the health care institution or provider that took the sample that was tested.? http://www.dph.state.ct.us/HIPAA/hipaa.htm This article might give you some insight: US News and World Report ?? you could end up with useless tests, incomprehensible results (do you know whether it's good or bad that your HBG is 15.5?), and literally taking your life in your own hands.? http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/030519/19lab.htm I hope this has helped you out! If any part of this answer is unclear, please ask for an Answer Clarification, and allow me to respond, before you rate. Sincerely, Crabcakes Search Terms ============ laboratory releases lab results + only physician Minnesota + CLIA + authorized person + lab results CLIA regulations

RESOLUTION No. 204 September, 2001 INTRODUCED BY: Hennepin Medical ::
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTMLpoint of care option for doing or sending requested lab tests to accredited H-165.908 Patient Access to Specialty Care in Managed Care Systems
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The Connected Patient - www.healthleadersmedia.com::
From scheduling appointments to viewing lab results, more healthcare consumers Ironically, while the EMR can boost patient access to their physicians,
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/magazine/viewmagfeature/content/83307.htmlHOME

Electronic medical record keeping places demands on IT execs at ::
Sep 7, 2004 Patient data is updated on the system continually, giving primary care physicians access to lab results, tests and notes by Geisinger
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/09/07/HNmedicalrecord_1.htmlHOME