WWYD? Doctors office and test results

[disfan07]

I'm curious as to what other people would do.

On Dec. 30th, I went for a follow up with my internist. She ordered a bunch of labwork that day. Since they were closed the next day, she wasn't exactly sure when she would get the results but she was pretty sure that she would have them by the end of the day on monday and if she didnt have them by monday, her nurse would call me later in the week with the results (she is only in the office mon and thurs).

I did not get a call so on thursday around 1:30, I called about the results. I told them that I was in class from 3:30-6:30 so they left a message for the nurse that I was calling about my results.

I finally got a call this morning, but of course I missed it because I was in the bathroom (reminder...always have the phone with you when you are expecting a call...lol). I called right back and that was at about 9:30AM. When I called, they said they would give the message to the nurse. I didnt expect a call back immediately but I figured since I returned the call so early, they would get back to me by 6 when they close

Would you call again on monday or wait to see if they return the call on monday? How long would you wait before calling again? I'm not sure how long to wait but I feel like I am going to be playing phone tag. I am planning on making it possible for me to leave class to take the call if she calls while I am in class.

I love this doctor and her office has always been good about getting messages to her so this is the first time I have ever had a problem with the office and getting a return call about anything. I am used to getting return calls the sameday that I leave a message, as well as getting test results the next day (which means my expectations of them are probably too high.....which means that I probably need a reality check from people here about how long I should wait...lol)

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

I would call right away. It's not like you're bothering them every day with do you have my results yet. They have the results and you have the right to know right now. So call! Well, that's what I would do.

 

[sparklynails23]

Call. Tell them you keep missing their calls and will hold until the nurse is available with the results.

 

[bicker]

Sounds like a doctors' office that has far too many patients.

Best of luck.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm not sure what kind of tests you are waiting for the results for but one thing to think about is the results must not be critically bad or they would have tried harder to reach you on the days they called. When I worked for the endocrinologist if we got a result back that was bad and needed immediate attention we made a real effort to reach the person ASAP. Now if it was a routine result it wouldn't be moved to the top of the list to keep trying. My own DR mails normal results and only calls if something needs attention. I'm not saying your DR does this for sure but if it was a result that needed attention I would think they would be trying harder to reach you.

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure what kind of tests you are waiting for the results for but one thing to think about is the results must not be critically bad or they would have tried harder to reach you on the days they called.

Uh, I wouldn't count on that.

When I worked for the endocrinologist if we got a result back that was bad and needed immediate attention we made a real effort to reach the person ASAP.

I wonder how many doctors' offices would do so. I know that my old doctors' office wouldn't (which is one reason why they're my "old" doctors' office).

 

[Mommee]

Uh, I wouldn't count on that.

I wonder how many doctors' offices would do so. I know that my old doctors' office wouldn't (which is one reason why they're my "old" doctors' office).

DH had x-rays on his hand last year, and they told us that they would call if the radiologist that reviews the films found anything. Otherwise, assume everything is fine. So when he didn't get a call the next day we assumed he was fine.

...and then 4 days later DH received a call from the doctor's office saying that his finger was broken and he needed to splint the finger and see an ortho ASAP.

DH picked up a copy of the radiologist's report that afternoon and it was dated 3 days prior I mean, I know it was just a finger, but WOW. We don't assume that no news is good news anymore

OP, I would call first thing Monday morning and tell them you'll wait instead of leaving a message. Alternatively, show up in person and request a copy of the results.

 

[dis-happy]

My ds has had to have a lot of different lab work, and as a mother I live and die by those reports, IYKWIM. It is not fun to play telephone tag with a doctor.

Anyway, an end run around the madness is to stop by the office and request a copy of the reports while you wait. You can then look them over yourself. Anyway, it's ALWAYS a good idea to get and keep a copy of your lab reports.

 

[cm8]

My ds has had to have a lot of different lab work, and as a mother I live and die by those reports, IYKWIM. It is not fun to play telephone tag with a doctor.

Anyway, an end run around the madness is to stop by the office and request a copy of the reports while you wait. You can then look them over yourself. Anyway, it's ALWAYS a good idea to get and keep a copy of your lab reports.

 

[disfan07]

Thanks eveyrone. I'll probably call on monday.

This wasnt routine labwork. It was labwork concerning problems that i've been having with my stomach. I just need these results so that she can tell me what teh next step is.

I'm not sure what kind of tests you are waiting for the results for but one thing to think about is the results must not be critically bad or they would have tried harder to reach you on the days they called. When I worked for the endocrinologist if we got a result back that was bad and needed immediate attention we made a real effort to reach the person ASAP. Now if it was a routine result it wouldn't be moved to the top of the list to keep trying. My own DR mails normal results and only calls if something needs attention. I'm not saying your DR does this for sure but if it was a result that needed attention I would think they would be trying harder to reach you.

This office doesnt work like this. None of my doctors do. They usually call as soon as the results come in, unless she gets the results and requests additional tests to be run. I'm thinking that it is so out of the ordinary because I had it done right before a holiday weekend which always kind of messes things up.

All of my doctors call about every test result unless it is my dermatologist who emails me as soon as she gets the results. They dont do anything via mail when it comes to test results

Unfortunately, I cant go up there to get the results. The office is more than an hour from where I am right now so it is not practical to go up there.

Worse comes to worse, if I dont get the results on monday, I will email one of my other doctors who has access to these results as well. They are both part of the same medical group at the hospital so test results are automatically entered into the medical groups computer system which means that any of my drs. in the medical group can see them and since she and I communicate via email, its easier to get in touch with her.

I'm used to waiting for test results. That is nothing new. But i've never waited longer than a couple of days (unless of course it is a weekend) even when it was just routine work or normal results.

 

[N&B'smom]

I would call, explain that you're playing phone tag and ask if you can old for someone instead of get a call back.