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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 21, 2021 11:56 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Barry J. Jozwiak |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Amending the Patient Test Result Information Act |
| The Patient Test Result Information Act (Act 112 of 2018) requires imaging entities to directly notify the patient if the test results indicate significant abnormalities. While there are obviously good intentions for the act, there have been conflicting interpretations of the law's applicability, so as a result, some clarifications are needed. Because the imaging interpreter often does not know the patient, and because the criteria for “significant abnormality” are vague, some doctors have understandably chosen a safe route and have embraced a low threshold to initiate the “significant findings” process; this involves sending a fairly ominous letter to the patient. Letters have been sent indicating that the patient’s test results showed “significant abnormalities,” when that patient's test really did not indicate a clinical change for him/her. Of course, this leads to unintended consequences of undue patient anxiety and stress – and often further testing. This is what we are trying to address. My bill will amend the law to:
This bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. Please join me in supporting Pennsylvania's patients. |
Introduced as HB1280