How long does it take to get ultrasound results?

[Love101cats]

I had my kidney ultrasound 4 weeks ago and I've heard nothing. The problem is that I'm not seeing anyone nor following any particular treatment plan. When I had the heart ultrasound I heard results about a week later. I checked with my surgery and heart failure nurses and they don't have any information. I dont have any idea who is supposed to be looking after my kidneys but its not at my local hospital. Most say no news is good news but I find that scary to believe as I'm having blood tests every two weeks and I get those results easily from the surgery. My GFR is between 25 and 29. Its really odd not to have one letter with the name of my consultant on it. The heart failure nurses were tweaking my meds and my breathlessness increased so I need it sorting. Anyone else having similar problems?

[Hidden]

Depending on where you reside and the physician/clinic rules this may be different.

If I'm scheduled for an ultrasound or any diagnostic test the tech(s) do their best to get the best images possible. They then send that information to the head of the department, usually a radiologist who reviews the images and writes a report, and sends it to your ordering physician. Some of my physicians will post the results to their patient portal where I can view it and download a copy. A couple of my doctors may contact me for an appointment to discuss the findings and if necessary, a course of treatment. This entire process has never taken more than a week, and most of that time will be waiting for the appointment.

You have to be your own advocate and seek timely information. If you live somewhere with different laws/rules you may have to seek answers elsewhere.

Best of luck.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Love101cats,

Mr._Kidney is absolutely correct as each facility has their own protocol - now with the covid and numbers surging both in the US and UK, tests may be later in coming.

I would call the office of the person who ordered the ultra sound that you are waiting to hear results of and ask; be it your GP or Consultant, if no luck call the facility where the ultra sound was performed.

Just let them know that is has been 4 weeks since your ultra sound ( give the date and location that you had it done as well) and you were concerned as no one has either rang you up or sent you a letter with the results or who to call to obtain this information.

Hopefully you will get some results.

Take Care of yourself and let us know the outcome.

Bet 🙏

[Love100cats in reply to Bet117]

Thanks. I never thought of contacting the ultrasound department and asking them who to contact. They must know who it was sent to.

[drmind in reply to Love100cats]

What i usually do before i leave the imaging center is i fill out a form saying I want a copy of my results emailed to me. They make it understood thst they'll do this only after they forward the results to the requesting physician. Ive never had a problem getting my results emailed to me from any imaging procedure a few days after having it. Its my medical records and under HIPPA rules one has the right to obtain any of their medical records. Of course, the HIPPA laws aplly to those living in USA and Im not sure where you may be posting from. Nonetheless, wherever you live,I would try calling the imaging center and ask them for your results. I'm sure they would be able to guide you as to how best to proceed. It is often so distessing waiting for test results. I wish you luck in getting your results and in solving this dilemma. Please let us know how this turns

[Hidden in reply to drmind]

Excellent advice.

Most countries have something very similar to the USAs Patients Bill of Rights. An online search can easily find one. Pandemic or not, while things may slow down, your rights do not change.

[Love100cats in reply to Hidden]

The situation is complicated because our nearest hospital doesn't do kidneys! So they do the ultrasound and have to give results to consultant in hospital that does do kidneys. I was referred to that hospital which is about 80 miles away but before I was assigned to a consultant the pandemic started and I have only spoken to the nutritionist and a nurse from my local hospital. I phoned heart failure nurses and they said they are not allowed to access that information. But it should be in my file by now surely or not? I tried and Econsult with my g.p. but was referred to 111! So my next step is to book a telephone appointment with my g.p. which is likely to be 3 weeks as she is p.t. I need her to do the chasing now as my heart has been struggling a bit. I can only take so much exitement!

[drmind in reply to Love100cats]

Praying that you can reach someone who can help. Its such a problem trying to get medical help with this pandemic. Best to you

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Agreed.

[drmind in reply to Hidden]

And, when i go to Quest for my lab work, the results are emailed to me automatically either one, two, or three days after my visit. In addition when i results come in, i get.get them "overtime" and see how a particular tested out over time. My results go back to 2014. Its very helpful.

Also, when a physician orders lab work and makes the request out to a different lab, i just asked them if i can go to Quest instead and there's no problem. You have the right to go wherever you want and can use the referral form there

Best to everyone.

[Hidden in reply to drmind]

There is no Quest Lab near me and the three doctors who run my labs use three different places so I started tracking all of my lab results on a spreadsheet and I color-code each one out of the reference range to spot any developing trends.

We all have to do whatever works for us.

[drmind in reply to Hidden]

My Quest lab center is just two miles down the road from me. Therefore, Ive tended to go there all the time over the years. But, your system sounds wonderful and its working for you.

As all of us discussed previously, its disturbing to see from these results over time that a lot of us had CKD long before we were diagnosed. But, it is what it is and im still trying to work my diet and meds to slow progression and hopefully gain some GfR Numbers.

[Hidden in reply to drmind]

When I was diagnosed at the end of June in 2017 I began going back and looking at previous results and found I was in Stage 2 and Stage 3 for just over one year before I was told. I don't know if it's a lack of training, indifference, or just not wanting to give bad news to a patient. Since I found this community we've added about 4,300 more members. Can you imagine how many folks would be here if their doctors did their jobs and that would hopefully lead to fewer patients getting to ESRD?

[drmind in reply to Hidden]

I love this forum. Thanks. Nice to be able to help others sometimes and also to get help when you need it.

[Love100cats in reply to Hidden]

This is really shocking. I was having regular blood tests and im not talking about yearly ones! I had kidney function tests as soon as I was diagnosed with heart failure. I was reviewed by heart failure nurse every 3/4 months and nothing was said until I reached stage 4! No one mentioned that I had kidney failure. It was my complaining that I was on 4 x 40 Furusamide per day but not passing urine. Something was wrong. I had pain round my middle and lower back and my feet were giving me agony. I dont understand as I always trusted that they were getting it right.

[New2 in reply to Love100cats]

I never knew I had AKI till I ended up in the ER. I thought I was dying. 3surgeries and chemo/radiation and no one mentioned it. I dont understand the lack of info for patients in general.

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to drmind]

I know this is a common error amongst the non-medical or non-legal oriented, but it is "HIPAA". Not like the hippo.....but HIPAA.

"Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act."

I worked for lawyers that helped put that Act into law.

Just sayin'.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Love100cats]

Love 101cats,

Gosh, no thanks needed. If it means making 5 ring ups, do it!

I often request that a copy of tests be sent to me when leaving an area. Hospitals will usually make you a CD and you have to pick it up when ready.

As far as being seen by a doctor, have you considered asking a friend to drive you to an Urgent Care Center or hospital where there is an Emergency Room to be examined and evaluated by a doctor?

My close friend lives in the UK , it was a Saturday and she was unwell, swelling and in pain due to kidneys ( and she has an excellent GP) she went into the Emergency Room of her hospital and was cared for. Records of your visit can be sent to your GP if you wish to stay with her. Three weeks and a PT GP won't do.

I understand your situation - especially during this pandemic, but please don't suffer in worry and discomfort.

Please reach back and let us know the outcome.

Prayers and warm thoughts go with you.

Bet 🙏