Comparing Diagnostic Evaluations for Rectal Bleeding and Breast Lumps in Primary Care: a Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inadequate diagnostic evaluations of breast lumps and rectal bleeding in primary care are an important source of medical errors. Delays appear particularly common in evaluation of rectal bleeding. Comparing pursuit and completion of diagnostic testing for these two conditions within the same practice settings could help highlight barriers and inform interventions.

Objectives

To examine processes undertaken for diagnostic evaluations of breast lumps and rectal bleeding within the same practices and to compare them with regard to (a) the likelihood that diagnostic tests are ordered according to guidelines and (b) the timeliness of order placement and completion.

Design

A retrospective cohort study using explicit chart abstraction methods.

Participants

SUBMITTER: Pace LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6614558 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature