After the implementation of the Cures Act, outpatients now receive radiology reports more swiftly

The 21st Century Cures Act, published in JAMA Network Open on August 27, 2021, has brought about significant changes in the way patients access their radiology reports. A comprehensive study led by Jordan Pollock, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ, has shed light on these trends.

The study, which included data from approximately 336,000 patients and over one million exams in the outpatient group, focused on patients who accessed their radiology reports within the first 24 hours of release. In outpatient settings, patients are now accessing their reports faster than those in inpatient and emergency department settings.

Before the Cures Act, clinicians could delay results with a 36-hour embargo. However, the implementation of the Act led to a substantial decrease in the time patients took to access their radiology reports. The total time for patient access to radiology reports dropped from 45.1 hours to 40.9 hours after the Cures Act implementation.

While the study did not examine the potential consequences for practitioners in terms of increased workload or changes in clinical workflow, it did highlight potential benefits for patients. For instance, patients may now have immediate access to their test results, which could improve patient engagement and empowerment.

However, critics argue that patients might review their test results before their practitioner, potentially causing confusion and anxiety among patients. It is essential to ensure that proper communication channels are in place to address these concerns.

The study also found that health institutions specializing in rehabilitation and preventive care adapted most strongly to patients' access to their health records after the implementation of the 21st Century Cure Act.

The Cures Act mandates that healthcare organizations release test results to patients immediately, effective January 15, 2022. The full study on the trends in patient access to imaging results after the Cures Act implementation can be found at the provided link.

It is worth noting that the study did not consider the impact of the removal of the 36-hour embargo on the total time for patient access to radiology reports. Furthermore, the study did not address the potential consequences for practitioners or the potential risks associated with patients reviewing their test results before their practitioner.

As the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act continues to roll out, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and what challenges and opportunities they present for both patients and healthcare providers.

After the implementation of the Cures Act, outpatients now receive radiology reports more swiftly