Pathology Results

I am curious if navigators are giving pathology results to patients. One of our disease teams is asking that the navigators call the patients with their pathology results. My colleagues do not feel this is within their scope and that results should be discussed with the patient by the provider to determine the next steps in the plan of care.

Appreciate your thoughts on this topicPeg Rummel RN, MHA, OCN, NE-BC, HONN-CGOncology Nurse NavigatorAbramson Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, Pa 19104Phone 215-264-8288

 

At my prior institution, some from a disease team had the same ask, but it was determined that giving those results was out of the navigator's scope. The doctor or APP had to give to results.

Hi Peg,
Our NNN did share path results but it was part of our breast navigation pathway. The key was they were delivered in person and a radiologist was on site. A care plan was developed prior to the patient leaving the office. Due to distance, NN had to give some over the phone but this was usually completed after they elected to not come in person.

Thanks, Sharon, for sharing your breast navigation pathway. What was your process during COVID for in-person sharing results? Did patients sign a release allowing RN navigators to disclose pathology results at the time of biopsy? Was RN navigators releasing results via telephone discussed with referring providers and were they agreeable to this?

Our inhouse referring providers are on top of their results and immediately release to patients. In my practice, I notify patients when pathology results have been sent to community referring providers so patients can call their providers to discuss results.

COVID changed the process but was quickly redesigned for video or telephonic consults with the radiologist and NN. In-person was still an option. There is not a signed release because it is part of the clinical pathway approved by our physicians. At the community Breast Clinic, sharing results is built in for any patient getting biopsies at the site...even for outside referring physicians.

Thank you, Sharon! This is a good strategy to build sharing results jointly by radiologist and navigator into your breast pathway.