The Patient Test Result Information Act, also known as Act 112, was signed into law in October 2018 in Pennsylvania. The law requires that a patient or their designee, such as a family member or caretaker, must be notified by an outpatient diagnostic imaging center or healthcare facility about the patient’s test results within 20 days if a significant abnormality is detected. According to Act 112, a significant abnormality is considered a finding that would cause a patient to seek additional or follow-up medical care within three months.

Act 112 was introduced by Pennsylvania State Representative Marguerite Quinn, who wanted better communication between imaging centers and patients after several situations had occurred where people who did not receive their abnormal test results died as a result. Prior to the passage of Act 112, radiologists would notify the ordering physician of the results, then after reviewing the study, the physician would provide the results to the patient. The goal of the law is to improve follow-up for abnormal findings, giving patients more control over their own healthcare, while mitigating liability and offering a shared responsibility with radiologists and referring providers.

While the law doesn’t require the diagnostic imaging service to provide the patient with a copy of the written report, it does require that specific information be conveyed, including a statement, the name of the ordering healthcare practitioner, when the test was performed, when results were sent to the ordering healthcare practitioner, and necessary contact information for the patient to obtain a full report. The results must be provided either by mail, email, fax, in-person or via a medical record system. There are certain exceptions under Act 112 which notice is not required for, including routine obstetrical ultrasounds, diagnostic radiographs, and diagnostic imaging services performed on a patient who is being treated in an emergency room or on an inpatient basis.

Although Act 112 took effect in December 2018, enforcement of the law didn’t go into effect until December 2019. The law was delayed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in order to allow facilities time to develop policies to address the new law. At the same time, a bill known as the House Health Committee (House Bill 2103) seeking to amend Act 112 was introduced and proposed to remove the specific abnormality language included in the current law, as there is potential for discrepancy about what constitutes a significant abnormality that could cause confusion for the patient. The new bill would also require that the diagnostic imaging service provider give written notice to the patient at the time of their scan, stating that they will complete a review of the test performed on the patient and send the results to the practitioner who ordered the service.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health also accepted recommendations from the Pennsylvania Medical Society, as well as the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, to delay issuing sanctions under the law and to permit additional time for the State to provide educational support regarding the law’s requirements. In the near future, the Department of Health will be moving forward with the formulation of educational services. As of now, it is yet to be determined whether other states will adopt legislation similar to Act 112.

Closing the communication gap between providers and patients has been a persistent problem in the radiology industry and is what the new law seeks to alleviate. Throughout Pennsylvania, health systems have begun to implement direct patient notification, with many of the larger systems focusing on long-term, IT-based approaches that can be integrated into the electronic health record.

Another great tool is the patient engagement platform Within Health, which helps radiology practices in Pennsylvania, create and automate patient and provider communication workflows. The system identifies that need to be notified, engages with patients that require follow-ups, and enables patients to schedule their next scan. In addition to strengthening the relationship between patients and providers, it increases the likelihood that patients will return, and as a result, will lead to better health outcomes. Schedule a product walkthrough today.