Page 41 - 2022 Risk Basics - Surgical Practice

SVMIC Risk Basics: Surgical Practice

consequences from not receiving the lab test that you order or

from not seeing the consultant to whom he/she was referred
(surgical clearance consult), you could be named in a medical

malpractice lawsuit.

If a patient misses or cancels a follow-up appointment, it
should be documented and investigated. Appropriate efforts

should be made to contact the patient and reschedule the

appointment in situations where the patient may suffer if
treatment is delayed or where the treatment or medication

must be closely monitored. Additionally, when a patient

referred by another physician fails to present for the first
appointment to establish care, it is recommended that the

referring physician be notified. All communication to the
patient and the referring physician should be documented.

Tracking Systems

Tracking procedures should be simple, organized, and
consistently used by all providers in the practice. Staff should

be trained and accountable for accurately maintaining the

system. It should be understood by everyone that once the
tracked tests or reports are received, they must be handled

appropriately by following one of the following recommended

processes.

Electronic Tracking System

If you are using an electronic system to track tests that you

have ordered or referrals that you have scheduled, you need to
ensure that the system can identify which test results have not

yet been received in your office, without having to look at each

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