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Investigations
Standard 10
Any investigation you have will only be carried out when appropriate for your care and treatment and will be done safely.
1 Any investigation you have (for example, blood test, X-ray, scan or tissue specimen) is only carried out to provide information to aid your diagnosis and treatment.
2 Any investigation you have (for example, X-ray, ultrasound examination or blood test) is carried out in line with best practice guidance.
3 You are told why any investigation is necessary and what to expect during it. You are offered any help you need if you are required to lie or sit in a certain position during the investigation.
4 You receive any help you need if you experience distress or discomfort during or after the investigation.
5 You are told when to expect a result and are informed of it as quickly as possible after it is available.
6 You know and agree how your result will be communicated to you and any other healthcare professional outside the service.
7 Your X-ray or scan result is interpreted by a registered specialist in clinical radiology or by another doctor with a specialist registration 14 relevant to your investigation.
8 Any test you have that involves using a laboratory service is carried out by a service which takes part in a recognised quality assurance programme and works in line with current best practice guidance and legislation.
9 Your test or specimen is correctly identified at all times and the service makes sure that it and the laboratories it uses have policies and procedures to ensure this.
10 Your investigation results are given to your clinician (and your GP, if you want) as soon as possible after they are available. If any treatment is needed, including referral to another doctor or hospital, the service makes suitable arrangements for this and you will be told where you'll be seen and the likely waiting times.
11 Any equipment used in examining or testing your specimen in the service is checked and serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines and current legislation.
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