After Your Procedure: Communication & Follow-Up

Once you’re home and your procedure is behind you, new questions may come up — especially about test results and next steps.

Knowing when and how you’ll get your test results can help you feel less worried and focus on feeling better.

How, and When, Will I Get My Results?

Depending on your procedure and the tests performed,  you can expect to get your results in one of these ways:

• Before you leave the hospital or surgery center (check your discharge information)

• On your patient portal (ask your care team how to sign up if you haven’t already)

• Through a phone call from your doctor

• At a follow-up appointment

Some tests can be done quickly in the hospital and may take only a few hours. Other tests are more complex and need to be sent to an outside lab. These tests can take days or even weeks to come back.

Before you leave the hospital, ask your care team when you can expect to get your test results, and write their answer here in your guide. Below is a general timeline for test results, but always follow the timeline your care team gives you:

• Common blood tests, such as a CBC or metabolic panel  | 24 hours or less

• Imaging, such as an X-ray or ultrasound | 1-5 days

• Tissue tests, such as a biopsy or pathology test  | 3 days to 2 weeks

• Specialized tests, such as genetic testing | several weeks to a month or more

Waiting for results can make you feel anxious. Your care team understands this and will contact you as soon as your results are ready. If you have not heard from them within the timeframe they shared with you, please call the number in your discharge instructions and follow up.