Page 45 - 2021 Risk Reduction Series - Communication Part One

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Communication

• If the patient does not keep the appointment or cancels

without rescheduling, notify the referring physician, and
document this notification.

• Commensurate with the consequence of no treatment,

contact the patient to reschedule.

Consultations – Formal and Informal (aka

“Curbside Opinions”)

Occasionally, a physician may

need to formally consult with a
colleague for a second opinion

regarding a doubtful finding,
diagnosis, or condition. True

consulting physicians are
colleagues who were actually

consulted (as opposed to a
“curbside opinion”, as discussed

in the following paragraph) and
should be named in the record along with their opinions. These

physicians are actually involved in the care, will most likely bill
for the consultation, and should expect to be identified in the

medical record. Most importantly, the consulting physician
should have an expectation that he or she will be sued if the

consultation advice or interpretation is not consistent with
the standard of care. Although a formal consultation may not

offer the attending physician protection from litigation, it often
strengthens the physician’s defense against a malpractice claim.

The term curbside consultation/opinion is often used to

represent an informal opinion or interpretation between
colleagues that does not result in a formal consultation.

Page 45