CHS83 Interpret the findings of healthcare investigations

Overview

This standard is about interpreting the findings of healthcare investigations and creating a report arising from the interpretation.  It covers any healthcare investigation where interpreting and reporting on the findings is necessary for the delivery of health services.  Interpretation may require liaison with and contribution from other clinicians, practitioners or specialists. This standard is applicable to a wide range of health contexts and roles in emergency, primary and secondary care. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. Your own level of competence, authority and knowledge base  for interpreting the results  of investigations
2. How to find the full range of results for individual patients
3. The value and uses of different sources of information that assist with the interpretation of findings
4. Clinical features and conditions that require investigations
5. Pathology and physiology of the system under investigation
6. Clinical conditions which may require urgent action and how to instigate such action
7. Normal values and ranges associated with investigations and interpretative data
8. Normal and abnormal results and their significance to clinical question or condition
9. How to refer to published data and other information to assist  in presenting additional information to be included in an interpretative report
10. How to construct an interpretative report and the format required for presentation
11. The current European and National legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols, Clinical and information Governance which affect your work practice
12. The policies and guidance that clarify your scope of practice, accountabilities and the working relationship between yourself and others in relation to creating the report from the interpretation the results of investigations

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. work within your level of competence, responsibility and accountability for the interpretation and reporting of those findings
2. collate all available and relevant results of investigations
3. evaluate the results obtained against clinical history, taking account of clinical governance and any influencing factors related to the investigation
4. identify any need for and obtain additional clinical information to complete the interpretation
5. identify any need for additional investigations to complete the interpretation
6. consult, as appropriate, with colleagues to support, confirm or resolve concerns in interpretation
7. produce an interpretive report in a form which meets evidence base protocols and the needs of intended recipients
8. provide the interpretative report to intended recipients in a timely manner to meet patient needs
9. ensure you maintain the confidentiality of information in accordance with information governance

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB6 Assessment and treatment planning