Page 16 - 2020 Risk Reduction Series Effective Systems_Part 1_Flipbook

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Effective Systems

diagnosis and/or treatment. Missed diagnosis is a top claim

received at SVMIC. A patient may fall through the cracks if an
abnormal or unexpected test result is misplaced or filed away

without taking appropriate action, or when a patient fails to keep
a recommended appointment, either with the referred physician

or your practice.

Once the physician orders a lab, diagnostic test, or referral, he/
she has a duty to follow up on the results appropriately. This

may require the implementation of a policy to prioritize the
result based on whether or not it is abnormal and, if abnormal,

assess how significant the risk is if the patient is not notified
immediately. The office policy might define the test results as

“Normal”, “Abnormal”, or “Critical”, with correlating responses
appropriate for each. Regardless, the patient should be notified

of all test results. The staff should be trained on the critical
results policy to alert the ordering physician and notify the

patient accordingly.

Tracking procedures should be simple, organized, and followed

by everyone 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 recommended processes detailed later in this course.

If a patient suffers consequences from not receiving the lab test
that you order or from not seeing the consultant to whom he/

she was referred, you could be named in a medical malpractice
lawsuit. There are many opportunities for a breakdown in

communication, which often results in serious consequences
for both physicians and patients. Patients may fail to complete

ordered tests for a variety of reasons that are unrelated to their

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