Request completed correctly and suitable for acceptance
Request accepted, vetted or protocolled within expected timeframe
Investigation performed within expected timeframe
Result reviewed within expected timeframe
Result actioned within expected timeframe
Investigation required before diagnosis could be made
Investigation required before treatment decision
Investigation required before discharge
Investigation required before referral
Could safely have been completed as outpatient / planned return
Outpatient / ambulatory option was considered and documented
Criteria to reside affected by the delay
Discharge readiness affected by the delay
Expected discharge date reviewed or updated
Escalation was required under local policy
Escalation was completed and documented
Senior review of the pending investigation documented
Diagnostic service or specialist team contacted
Alternative investigation or pathway considered
Interim clinical management plan documented
Contingency plan documented
Review of the result documented in the record
Abnormal or significant result actioned / escalated
Follow-up plan documented for outstanding investigation
Discharge summary records outstanding investigation / action
Patient informed about the delay or follow-up
Delayed-investigation safety concern identified
1. Clinical indication for the investigation was documented.
2. Investigation urgency or priority was documented.
3. Investigation was requested within the locally expected timeframe after it became clinically indicated.
4. Investigation request was complete and suitable for acceptance, vetting or scheduling.
5. Investigation was accepted, vetted, triaged or protocolled within local expected timeframe where required.
6. Investigation was performed or sample was taken within the locally expected timeframe.
7. Result was available within the locally expected timeframe.
8. Result was reviewed by the clinical team within the locally expected timeframe.
9. Result was actioned within the locally expected timeframe where action was required.
10. Abnormal or clinically significant result was escalated where required.
11. Delay stage was identifiable from the record.
12. Reason for delay was documented where applicable.
13. Interim clinical management plan was documented while awaiting the investigation where relevant.
14. Alternative investigation or pathway was considered where appropriate.
15. Outpatient, ambulatory, planned return or community diagnostic option was considered where the patient was otherwise discharge ready and this was safe.
16. Criteria-to-reside or discharge readiness impact was documented where relevant.
17. Expected discharge date was reviewed or updated where the investigation affected discharge.
18. Impact on diagnosis was documented or inferable.
19. Impact on treatment decision was documented or inferable.
20. Impact on discharge or length of stay was documented or inferable.
21. Investigation delay was escalated according to local policy where escalation criteria were met.
22. Diagnostic service, senior clinician or specialist team was contacted where required.
23. Follow-up plan was documented where investigation was outstanding at discharge or converted to outpatient / planned return.
24. Discharge summary included outstanding investigation, result, action or follow-up where relevant.
25. Patient was informed about delayed investigation or follow-up where appropriate.
26. Safety concern was identified and actioned where investigation delay created clinical risk.
27. Documentation was clear enough for another clinician or coordinator to understand the investigation status, delay reason, owner and next action.
28. Any delayed-investigation-related patient safety concern was escalated or actioned where identified.