Lab and imaging results often appear in patient portals before clinicians have reviewed them. A Washington Health physician assistant explains how to interpret flagged results, avoid unnecessary worry, and know when to contact your care team.
If you’ve ever checked your lab or imaging results online, spotted an abnormal finding and wondered what it meant, you’re not alone. Federal rules that took effect in 2021 expanded patients’ access to electronic health information, including many test results through online patient portals. While this transparency puts more health information at patients’ fingertips, it can also leave patients trying to make sense of unfamiliar numbers or medical terminology before speaking with their clinician.
“Having access to your results is an empowering tool, but the numbers alone may not give the whole picture,” said Hee Namgoong, PA-C, a physician assistant at Washington Health. “Understanding your results is better done in partnership with your clinician and asking questions is an important step toward making informed decisions about your health.”
Reading Test Results Online
Many laboratory tests have a reference range, representing values generally expected in a particular population. Results outside that range may be flagged as high or low in a patient portal, but a flag does not automatically indicate a medical problem.
Namgoong encourages patients to ask their healthcare provider what an out-of-range result means rather than jump to conclusions. Healthy people may have results slightly outside a reference range, while results within it do not rule out an underlying condition. Clinicians evaluate how far results fall outside a reference range, along with symptoms, medical history and other findings. Fasting, medications, strenuous exercise and time of day can affect certain tests. Previous results may also reveal meaningful changes or trends.
“Single data points usually do not provide enough medical information to determine the overall issue,” Namgoong noted. “I urge patients to reach out to their clinicians so they can review all the important information needed for shared decision-making and see the bigger picture together.”
Putting Online Health Information into Context
An online search may offer quick answers, but it can describe possible conditions without considering a patient’s symptoms, medical history or reason for testing. That can lead to unnecessary worry or misinterpretation.
“Sometimes patients misconstrue online medical research and become unnecessarily worried or anxious,” Namgoong said. “Without guidance from their clinician, patients may miss important medical context and focus on a single result rather than the bigger picture.”
Imaging reports can be just as confusing. X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and MRI reports use technical language that may be difficult to interpret. Patients should note their questions and ask their clinician for an explanation.
What to Do When Your Results Arrive
- If results appear routine: Follow your clinician’s instructions about when and how results will be reviewed. If you have questions, ask whether they can be addressed through the portal or at your next appointment.
- If a result is flagged or you are unsure what it means: Contact your healthcare team through secure messaging or by phone. Ask whether the result requires follow-up, repeat testing or a change in your care plan. Do not assume a flagged result is an emergency — or that an unflagged result rules out a problem.
- Results requiring prompt attention: “Protocols are in place to ensure critical results receive timely attention,” Namgoong said. “The lab communicates urgent findings to the ordering clinician or, after hours and on weekends, to an on-call provider to ensure appropriate follow-up.”
- If you have new or worsening symptoms: Contact your healthcare provider promptly, even if your results have not been reviewed. Call 911 for severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or trouble speaking. Do not wait for a portal message or clinician callback.
Patient Portals Can Strengthen Communication
Patient portals can help people stay engaged in their care, Reviewing written instructions or clinical notes can clarify details discussed during an appointment, and secure messaging allows patients to ask follow-up questions.
Family members or caregivers can help patients who are uncomfortable with technology. Authorized proxy access may allow designated individuals to assist with medical information, subject to privacy requirements. Patients also can contact their healthcare team by phone or in person.
Online access gives patients a more immediate view of their health information, but understanding what those results mean is still a conversation best had with their care team. If a result raises questions, make note of them, reach out through your patient portal or by phone, and ask what happens next.
To find a Washington Health primary care provider, visit washingtonhealth.com/PrimaryCareCenters.