Page 21 - APP Collaboration - Assessing the Risk (Part Two)
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SVMIC Advanced Practice Provider Collaboration: Assessing the Risk


                   Even something as simple as reminding the patient that “No

                   news is no news” and handing them a reminder card to call
                   the office if test results have not been communicated within a

                   defined time period helps to close the loop. The patient should
                   be notified of all test results, not just abnormal results or results

                   requiring action. The staff should be trained on a critical results
                   protocol 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.



                   A provider has a legal obligation to know of results for any
                   tests that were ordered. If it was important enough to order, it’s

                   important enough to track to ensure you receive the results.
                   Your system should notify you if the tests do not return. Once

                   the tests are received, all test results should be reviewed by
                   the ordering provider. Documentation of your review should

                   include your name, time, and date. Occasionally, we encounter
                   situations where a physician falls behind in reviewing test

                   results in a timely fashion. Often, the physician tells us that he
                   or she has reviewed those but just did not sign them because

                   it involved extra steps or clicks in the EHR. An unintended
                   consequence of not knowing the EHR well can result in critical

                   results getting buried in the midst of test results already
                   addressed. Be aware of how your EHR works so that you can

                   review, sign, and notify the patient of the results in a timely
                   fashion. Always document patient notification and what follow-

                   up action was taken.









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