Page 17 - 2020 Risk Reduction Series Effective Systems_Part 1_Flipbook

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Effective Systems

desire to adhere to the treatment plan. These may include:

• Concern about insurance coverage and reimbursement

• Transportation or childcare issues

• Fear of the potential diagnosis

• Lack of understanding about the importance of the
ordered test or referral

It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure the patient

fully understands the significance of the ordered test or
recommended referral as well as the potential consequences of

delays in treatment.

There should be an established system for tracking patients

who miss follow-up appointments. 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 (discussed in detail in

the “Handling Missed Appointments” section of this course).

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.

Likewise, there should also be a mechanism in place to track

patients discharged from the hospital. A patient who requires
follow-up after hospitalization has a risk of being lost by virtue of

the fact that he/she is not within the office confines at the time

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