The Importance of Daily Maintenance

Veronica McGrath, M.S., has a wonderful article available here on podcast at soundpractice.net detailing the importance of accurate and up-to-date recordkeeping. She notes how patients rely upon office managers to keep complete records, and to contact them when needed for care.

She emphasizes the importance of having an effective tracking system, which I know firsthand to be completely true. The disappearance of test results can have tragic dimensions, and it only takes one irate patient to realize what it means to the person-in-question.

The courts have decided that treatment follow-up is the physician's responsibility. The article details techniques to aid the office manager in making sure this is done, such as the physician initialling all reports, a test log for referrals outside the office, and documenting telephone conversations regarding test results. She also notes the importance of keeping a solid, written record of missed appointments.

Please give the article a listen, especially if you are new to the field. It will give you terrific tips on how to have a well-run office that protects both the patient and the physician.