Enhancing Patient Safety and Engagement: The Vital Role of Nurses

In the intricate web of healthcare, where timely interventions can mean the difference between life and death, the role of nurses in examining lab results quickly cannot be overstated. While RxPx software embedded within our automated monitoring hub relays real-time lab results and adherence data to health care providers (HCPs), nurses play the pivotal role in ensuring that the critical lab findings are promptly reviewed, analyzed, and actioned when needed. Through their vigilance and dedication, they serve as the last line of defense in ensuring patient safety.

One of the unique aspects of the RxPx system is that the HCPs can customize their preferred communication method and who the current point of contact is to certify our nurses have access to the most efficient direct line. To ensure HCPs don’t get bogged down by alerts they have already addressed, RxPx nurses only reach out to providers regarding alerts that they can see haven’t been addressed yet or missed. A significant value-add that RxPx provides is meeting HCPs and patients along their existing journeys. In this case, the nurses are meeting the providers where they are, efficiently and only when action is necessary.

At the forefront of this crucial task is a partnership between HCPs and pharmaceutical companies, working together to monitor lab results in real-time for patients undergoing specialty treatments. With the aid of advanced technology created in partnership with organizations like RxPx, nurses are equipped to monitor these results and promptly alert healthcare providers of any abnormalities or concerning trends.

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Nurses: The Frontline Guardians of Patient Safety‍

Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety by examining lab results quickly and effectively. One of our largest programs partners with a major pharmaceutical company to monitor critical lab results in real time for a specialty treatment. For the medical team, we’ve designed an HCP portal, an HCP app and a backend system for nurses to monitor the patients.

Our program is incredibly important to patients’ safety given the nature of the treatment. The patients are on a specialty medicine that requires  proactive monitoring for potential side effects- which include regular lab tests. . When lab results return, it’s vital that they’re examined promptly in the event that a patient requires medical attention. .

We receive real-time lab results through our automated monitoring hub that relays information about a patient’s monitoring with real-time results and lab adherence data to the healthcare provider.

The system generates alerts for all results that fall outside predefined reference ranges related to the identified risks. Alerts are sent to HCPs and their teams via email or text message upon detection of abnormal results.

HCPs access an online portal and/or mobile application where their patients’ contact information, lab results, and infusion details are displayed. This may allow for faster access to potentially time-sensitive information.

If a doctor doesn’t respond to the first two automated notifications, one of the RxPx nurses will review the lab results and personally reach out to HCP to ensure they are aware of their patient’s lab work. On average, this happens about twice a month.

RxPx nurses ensure that critical findings are promptly reviewed, analyzed, and acted upon, mitigating potential risks and safeguarding patient well-being. Through their swift action and expertise, nurses serve as the last line of defense in identifying and addressing emergent situations, ultimately enhancing patient safety.

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RxPx Nurse Stories‍

Marsha, a seasoned nurse, recounts a particularly memorable incident where her swift action prevented a potential catastrophe. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon, she noticed alarmingly low critical result counts, and that the RxPx system hadn’t received a response or confirmation of these results from the HCP or their care team,. She immediately contacted the healthcare provider based on the HCP’s preferred method of contact, and together they swiftly intervened, potentially saving a patient's life.

“In our system, I saw a critical result count of two or three which is extremely low. Something as minor as sneezing could cost the patient their life! A clotting problem could be catastrophic. I checked our records and saw that the HCP wished to be contacted on her cell phone, so I called her and caught her on the way to a football game. We discussed the patient’s results and she agreed that it warranted immediate action.

From her car, the doctor called the patient, explained the troubling lab results, sent the patient to the emergency room and then continued on to the football game. If someone from the RxMx nursing staff hadn’t reached out, she likely wouldn’t have known about the lab results until the next day when she got to her office. In the meantime, the patient would have been in life-threatening danger the entire time.” - Marsha, RxPx nurse

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‍Below, you will read Michelle's experience, which underscores the importance of extended vigilance beyond traditional clinic hours. Despite the late hour, she acted promptly upon receiving critical lab results, prompting the healthcare provider to take immediate action and ensure the patient’s safety .

‍“One instance stands out to me that happened in the evening. Clinic hours usually end at 5pm, but I was still online at 6:30pm and saw a low result of three come in and didn’t want to wait until the next day to act on it. I texted the HCP and he responded immediately even though it was after hours. He was grateful for the extra set of eyes on the lab results and immediately sent the patient to the ER.” - Michelle, RxPx nurse

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Yet another nurse story offers a unique perspective on the unforeseen challenges healthcare providers may face, emphasizing the importance of having robust systems in place to address unexpected disruptions. In the face of a computer virus crippling a healthcare provider's practice, the timely intervention of nurses enabled continued access to vital patient information, ensuring uninterrupted care.

‍“We enrolled an HCP and his practice who informed me that he did not plan on using our system and even opted out of the alert notifications. He said he would use it for read-only purposes. The system sat dormant.

‍We had follow-up discussions as new functionalities were added, but he remained disinterested. He received lab results via electronic medical records or faxes. This doctor saw no need for our program.

‍A few months later, the HCP contacted us in a panic because their practice had been targeted by a computer virus and their server and software were useless. Normal functions such as patients being scheduled for appointments and medications being processed for shipment were on hold. The doctor also could not access lab results through EMRs and their fax machines were inoperable, so the labs could not send results.

‍On top of this chaos, the doctor was about to go out of town and he had patients who needed direction. With his permission, we added delegates to our HCP mobile app who were able obtain all the lab results for patients with urgent needs. In the meantime, his internal system was down for an entire week.

‍Using our program, the doctor was able to access lab results, make decisions on if medication should be ordered for patients to begin therapy and immediately treat those who had critical results.” - RxPx nurse

These firsthand accounts highlight the vital role nurses play in examining lab results promptly and effectively. The ability to act swiftly in the face of emergent situations are instrumental in ensuring patient safety and well-being. In the intricate ecosystem of healthcare, nurses are the unsung heroes who serve as the guardians of patient health, working tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of care.

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Timely Access to Test Results= Empowered Patients

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the importance of timely access to test results in empowering patients and improving healthcare experiences. The study found that 96% of patients preferred receiving immediately released test results online, even for non-normal results. This preference aligns with federal rules under the 21st Century Cures Act, which mandate the immediate availability of test results and clinical notes to patients.

However, the study also revealed important considerations regarding patient experiences and concerns. Some patients reported increased worries when viewing their results before being contacted by a healthcare practitioner, particularly among those receiving abnormal results. This underscores the importance of pre-counseling by the healthcare team to alleviate patient concerns and provide necessary support.

Additionally, the study found that patients often sought additional information after reviewing their results, highlighting the importance of guiding patients to reliable sources of information and addressing any unmet information needs.

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A Collaborative Approach to Healthcare

The collaborative efforts of nurses, RxPx, and timely access to test results exemplify the power of innovation and human expertise in enhancing patient safety and engagement. By leveraging advanced technology, healthcare professionals can empower patients with timely access to their health information, ensuring they are equipped to make informed decisions about care. Together, we can pave the way for a future where patient safety, engagement, and empowerment are at the forefront of healthcare delivery.

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