- Ray Fernandez
- Summer 2026
View Ray Fernandez’s infographic
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins
Abstract
Test results are being accessed by patients electronically prior to review and interpretation by the care team. Emergency department (ED) patients often have anxiety related to their illness, as they await answers; ED patients attempt to make sense of their lab results prior to understanding the clinical relevance of these values based upon their presenting complaint(s), vital signs, medical history, and physical examination findings. The purpose of this practicum project is to identify and close the communication gap that exists for ED patients who have seen their lab results prior to discussion with the care team. Specifically, the goal of this practicum project is to create a patient facing infographic that encourages patients to ask questions regarding their follow up care. A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles focused on patient portal access, immediate release of test results, emergency department communication, patient understanding of abnormal results, and health literacy. To connect the literature with clinical practice, key stakeholder input from ED staff was considered to identify communication gaps and patient education needs. This information was then used to create an educational tool (a one-page infographic) that uses the “Pause, Ask, Plan” model. Ultimately, this project highlights the importance of providing patient centered education that allows patients to utilize lab data provided by the patient portal responsibly. Utilizing the “Pause, Ask, Plan” framework, the completed infographic will provide guidance for ED patients seeking clarity about their test results. Education of education can help reduce confusion and anxiety experienced by patients during their ED visit.
Keywords: emergency nursing, patient portal, abnormal test results, emergency department, patient education, health literacy, patient safety