What is the correct procedure for handling a patient's lab reports when sorting mail?

• A. File in patient chart
• B. Mail to patient
• C. Forward to lab
• D. Give reports to physician

Answer: (D)

Lab reports contain protected health information and should be routed through the clinician who ordered the test so they can review, interpret, and determine the next steps. The best approach is to hand the reports to the physician (or the appropriate clinician) so they can assess the results, document them in the medical record, and decide how to communicate outcomes to the patient. This protects patient privacy, ensures accurate interpretation, and maintains the proper workflow for medical care.

Filing the report directly in the patient chart before a clinician reviews it can bypass interpretation and authorization, which isn’t appropriate. Mailing the results to the patient bypasses the clinician’s review and can risk privacy if identity or delivery verification isn’t confirmed. Forwarding the report back to the lab isn’t useful, since the lab has already produced the result. Giving the report directly to the patient is sometimes appropriate later, but only after the clinician has reviewed and advised on what to share and how.