SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Reacting to Risk: A Structured Approach to Finalized Results After Hospital Discharge

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The document describes the REACT (Result Evaluation After Care Transition) program at Yale New Haven Hospital, created to improve follow-up of diagnostic results finalized after hospital discharge. Because many inpatient tests return after patients leave and ownership of these results is often unclear, delays and missed follow-up can occur. REACT establishes a centralized workflow with clear responsibility for reviewing finalized results, communicating with outpatient teams, and taking timely action when needed.<br /><br />The program aims to close gaps in post-discharge result management, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve safety during care transitions, especially in a high-volume hospital medicine service that manages more than 22,000 discharges each year. Results were reviewed across the week, with weekend findings often addressed on Mondays.<br /><br />Examples highlight the program’s clinical value. In one case, a hospitalized patient with leukocytosis had a peripheral smear finalized after discharge; REACT arranged flow cytometry, which identified a monoclonal B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with a CLL phenotype, leading to hematology follow-up within two weeks. In another case, a patient with ESRD and COPD had sputum cultures growing Pseudomonas after discharge; because of a fluoroquinolone allergy, REACT coordinated outpatient IV ceftazidime through dialysis and infusion services, preventing readmission.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation concludes that REACT brings order to post-discharge result management by creating one streamlined process, clarifying ownership, expediting follow-up, and improving the reliability and safety of transitions of care. The program is presented as a scalable model for other academic centers.

Asset Subtitle

Erin McKnight

Meta Tag

Author List Courtney Murray, Erin McKnight, Jaclyn Jermine, Nicholas Patino, Stacy Adil

Category Innovations

Concept REACT Program

Concept Finalized Diagnostic Result

Concept Result Follow-up

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Hospital Discharge

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Yale New Haven Hospital

Presenting Author Erin McKnight

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

REACT program

post-discharge follow-up

diagnostic results

care transitions

Yale New Haven Hospital

centralized workflow

result management

patient safety

hospital discharge

outpatient coordination

REACT Program

Finalized Diagnostic Result

Result Follow-up

Patient Safety

Hospital Discharge