Understanding the basics of safe, effective, and informed care is important. These basics include assessing risk factors and modifying care accordingly, using a collaborative approach, following proper guidelines for procedures and specimen collection, and delivering appropriate care throughout the process. Providing reassurance and support to the patient and their significant others, intervening appropriately, and clearly documenting patient education, observations, and outcomes during the entire process are necessary (refer to Figure 1.1).

Preparing patients for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, collecting specimens, carrying out and assisting with procedures, and providing follow-up care have long been requisite activities of professional practice. If test results are inconclusive or negative and no definitive medical diagnosis can be established, other tests and procedures may be ordered. Thus, testing can become an involved and lengthy process. This care may continue even after the patient’s death. Diagnostic postmortem services include death reporting, possible postmortem investigations, and sensitive communication with grieving families and significant others regarding autopsies, unexplained death, other postmortem testing, and organ donation.

Healthcare providers need to work as a team to meet diverse patient needs, to facilitate certain decisions, to develop comprehensive plans of care, and to help patients modify their daily activities to meet test requirements in all three phases.

Insurance reimbursement for testing also influences trends. Managed care and case management, together with collaboration among the diverse healthcare disciplines and the patient, are key factors in determining how and to what degree optimal diagnostic services are used.

As societies become more culturally blended, the need to appreciate and work within the realm of cultural diversity becomes imperative. Interacting with patients and directing them through diagnostic testing can present certain challenges if one is not familiar with and sensitive to the healthcare belief system of the patient and their significant others. When facing language differences, it may be necessary for a translator to be present during all phases of the process to ensure clear communication. Special attention and communication skills are necessary for these situations as well as when caring for children and for comatose, confused, or frail patients. Consideration of these issues will significantly influence compliance, outcomes, and positive responses to the procedure.

To be most effective, healthcare providers must be open to a holistic perspective and attitude that affects their caregiving, communication, and patient-empowering behaviors. Healthcare providers who understand the patient’s basic needs and expectations and strive to accommodate those as much as possible are truly acting as patient advocates.