Shift to digital
The NHS 10-year plan commits to a major programme of digital transformation aiming to ensure that clinicians and patients benefit from modern, interoperable technology.
The College welcomes plans to update IT systems across healthcare, as true interoperability is key to improving efficiency and patient care. Empowering patients to access pathology test results via the NHS app should be accompanied by universal lay terminology, and signposting to Lab Tests Online UK so they can interpret their results correctly.
We also call for equitable access to digital platforms and the provision of alternatives for those who face barriers in using apps.
Kitty’s story; LabTestsOnline provides a reassuring resource
Kitty, 33, was in her second trimester of her second pregnancy when she attended a routine prenatal appointment. Kitty mentioned to her doctor that she was struggling with fatigue and hair loss – two symptoms she had not experience with her first. Her doctor was reassuring and ordered standard blood tests.
“I didn’t know what the numbers meant,”
A few days later, Kitty received her lab results through the patient portal app. She noticed that her hemoglobin (Hb) was listed as 10.4 g/dL (reference range: 12.0–15.5 g/dL) and her hematocrit (Hct) as 31% (reference range: 36–46%).
“I didn’t know what the numbers meant,” recalls Kitty, “but I could see from the chart on the portal that they were abnormal, and I was worried what the numbers meant for me and my baby”.
With her follow up appointment not scheduled for a couple of weeks, Kitty decided to look up her Full Blood Count results on LabTestsOnline.org.
A resource of clear and helpful explanations
“I found the explanations on LabTestsOnline really clear. Helping me to understand why the test had been ordered and what the results meant was reassuring and allowed me to think about what questions I wanted to ask at my next appointment.”
Kitty learnt about iron-deficiency anaemia, its symptoms, and the potential need for iron supplementation.
At her next doctor’s visit, Kitty felt much more prepared. The clinician confirmed mild iron-deficiency anaemia and recommends dietary changes plus an additional iron supplementation with repeat testing in 4–6 weeks.
Kitty says, “After a few weeks of taking the iron tablets, I already felt like I had much more energy and my pregnancy progressed without any other issues. I was so glad I hadn’t spent weeks stressing myself and my baby about something that was very easy to fix.”
Lab Tests Online UK
Helping you understand your lab results
Lab Tests Online UK is a trusted, patient-friendly website that explains common laboratory tests in clear language. Whether you're preparing for a test or reviewing your results, LTO helps you understand what’s happening and why to support your discussion with doctors and play an active role in your care
Created by laboratory professionals from the Association for Laboratory Medicine with support from RCPath, IBMS
Visit: www.labtestsonline.org.uk