Patients in the community may not comply with ordered outpatient laboratory tests, just as they may not adhere to drug regimens. Identifying a patient at risk can allow for interventions or followup to ensure essential testing is performed.
NOTE: This is an uncommon problem for inpatients. While a patient may refuse testing, this is usually a documented event with the physician informed.
Type of testing involved:
(1) diagnostic tests: HIV serology, cancer screening, genetic disease
(2) monitoring tests: glucose monitoring, prothrombin time
Reasons for failure to comply with testing:
(1) denial of disease
(2) afraid of the diagnosis
(3) belief that testing is not necessary
(4) concerns about privacy
(5) unable to get testing done (not available)
(6) unable to get to testing site (due to disability or limited mobility)
(7) unable to get to testing site during hours of service
(8) unwilling to wait
(9) unable to afford testing
(10) afraid of the venipuncture or other discomforts
(11) unwilling to prepare (fasting, smoking cessation)
(12) forgets
