scholarly journals Improving the Understanding of Test Results by Substituting (Not Adding) Goal Ranges: Web-Based Between-Subjects Experiment (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron M Scherer ◽  
Holly O Witteman ◽  
Jacob Solomon ◽  
Nicole L Exe ◽  
Angela Fagerlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Visual Displays ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Condition Versus ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Standard Range

BACKGROUND Most displays of laboratory test results include a standard reference range. For some patients (eg, those with chronic conditions), however, getting a result within the standard range may be unachievable, inappropriate, or even harmful. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to test the impact of including clinically appropriate goal ranges outside the standard range in the visual displays of laboratory test results. METHODS Participants (N=6776) from a demographically diverse Web-based panel viewed hypothetical glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test results (HbA1c either 6.2% or 8.2%) as part of a type 2 diabetes management scenario. Test result visual displays included either a standard range (4.5%-5.7%) only, a goal range (6.5%-7.5%) added to the standard range, or the goal range only. The results were displayed in 1 of the following 3 display formats: (1) a table; (2) a simple, two-colored number line (simple line); or (3) a number line with diagnostic categories indicated via colored blocks (block line). Primary outcome measures were comprehension of and negative reactions to test results. RESULTS While goal range information did not influence the understanding of HbA1c=8.2% results, the goal range only display produced higher levels of comprehension and decreased negative reactions to HbA1c=6.2% test results compared with the no goal range and goal range added conditions. Goal range information was less helpful in the block line condition versus the other formats. CONCLUSIONS Replacing the standard range with a clinically appropriate goal range could help patients better understand how their test results relate to their personal targets.

scholarly journals Graphics help patients distinguish between urgent and non-urgent deviations in laboratory test results

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J Zikmund-Fisher ◽  
Aaron M Scherer ◽  
Holly O Witteman ◽  
Jacob B Solomon ◽  
Nicole L Exe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Visual Displays ◽  
Normal Test ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Color Gradients

ABSTRACT Objective: Most electronic health record systems provide laboratory test results to patients in table format. We tested whether presenting such results in visual displays (number lines) could improve understanding. Materials and Methods: We presented 1620 adults recruited from a demographically diverse Internet panel with hypothetical results from several common laboratory tests, first showing near-normal results and then more extreme values. Participants viewed results in either table format (with a “standard range” provided) or one of 3 number line formats: a simple 2-color format, a format with diagnostic categories such as “borderline high” indicated by colored blocks, and a gradient format that used color gradients to smoothly represent increasing risk as values deviated from standard ranges. We measured respondents’ subjective sense of urgency about each test result, their behavioral intentions, and their perceptions of the display format. Results: Visual displays reduced respondents’ perceived urgency and desire to contact health care providers immediately for near-normal test results compared to tables but did not affect their perceptions of extreme values. In regression analyses controlling for respondent health literacy, numeracy, and graphical literacy, gradient line displays resulted in the greatest sensitivity to changes in test results. Discussion: Unlike tables, which only tell patients whether test results are normal or not, visual displays can increase the meaningfulness of test results by clearly defining possible values and leveraging color cues and evaluative labels. Conclusion: Patient-facing displays of laboratory test results should use visual displays rather than tables to increase people’s sensitivity to variations in their results.

scholarly journals Effect of Statin Use on the Clinical Manifestations, Laboratory Test Results and Outcome of Lyme Neuroborreliosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2995
Author(s):  
Katarina Ogrinc ◽  
Andrej Kastrin ◽  
Stanka Lotrič-Furlan ◽  
Petra Bogovič ◽  
Tereza Rojko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Lyme Neuroborreliosis ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Multivariable Analyses ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Bannwarth's Syndrome ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Statin Use

Statins have anti-inflammatory and potentially antimicrobial activity, but whether they have a beneficial effect on the course of infectious diseases is controversial. In this study, we assessed the impact of pre-existing statin use on the course and outcome of Lyme neuroborreliosis manifested as meningoradiculitis (Bannwarth’s syndrome). One hundred and twenty three consecutive patients with Bannwarth’s syndrome, of whom 18 (14.6%) were being treated with statins, were included in the study. To assess the influence of statin use on the course and outcome of the disease, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. No statistically significant association was found between statin pre-treatment and the clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, and outcome of Bannwarth’s syndrome. In conclusion, pre-existing use of statins did not significantly impact either the clinical presentation or the outcome of Bannwarth’s syndrome.

scholarly journals Heart of the World’s Top Ultramarathon Runner—Not Necessarily Much Different from Normal

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gajda ◽  
Anna Klisiewicz ◽  
Vadym Matsibora ◽  
Dorota Piotrowska-Kownacka ◽  
Elżbieta Katarzyna Biernacka
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Test Results ◽  
31P Mrs ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
The Impact

The impact of ultramarathon (UM) runs on the organs of competitors, especially elite individuals, is poorly understood. We tested a 36-year-old UM runner before, 1–2 days after, and 10–11 days after winning a 24-h UM as a part of the Polish Championships (258.228 km). During each testing session, we performed an electrocardiogram (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS), and blood tests. Initially, increased cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were identified. The day after the UM, increased levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, fibrinogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, and N-terminal type B natriuretic propeptide were observed. Additionally, decreases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, cholesterol, LDL-C, and hyponatremia were observed. On day 10, all measurements returned to normal levels, and cholesterol and LDL-C returned to their baseline abnormal values. ECG, TTE, MRI, and 31P MRS remained within the normal ranges, demonstrating physiological adaptation to exercise. The transient changes in laboratory test results were typical for the extreme efforts of the athlete and most likely reflected transient but massive striated muscle damage, liver cell damage, activation of inflammatory processes, effects on the coagulation system, exercise-associated hyponatremia, and cytoprotective or growth-regulatory effects. These results indicated that many years of intensive endurance training and numerous UMs (including the last 24-h UM) did not have a permanent adverse effect on this world-class UM runner’s body and heart. Transient post-competition anomalies in laboratory test results were typical of those commonly observed after UM efforts.

The Impact of Prehospital Blood Collection on Time to Laboratory Test Results and Emergency Department Length of Stay

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Lindner ◽  
Wayne Schmedel ◽  
Marian Martin ◽  
Mickey Heidt ◽  
Carrie McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
The Impact

Effect of Ibuprofen on Serum Laboratory Test Results

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1034
Author(s):  
Carol L. Colvin ◽  
Raymond J. Townsend ◽  
William R. Gillespie ◽  
Kenneth S. Albert
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Test Results
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