One method mooted for e-scripts has been a central repository for the scripts. When a patient presents at a pharmacy they give the pharmacist permission (Medicare card or some yet to be devised UPI) to obtain their e-script and dispense from this. Could not a similar system work for e-referrals such as radiology and pathology? This way it is still the patient's choice as to which provider they use and when. The path/radiology company are not burdened by chasing the no-shows and the responsibility is back with the patient where it belongs (apart from the old argument that the ordering doctor is supposed to be responsible to ensure the patient understands the need for the test). This central repository could even e-mail/SMS/snail mail the patient to remind them (and perhaps even the ordering doctor) that the patient has not presented to have the test done after a certain period of time. Of course, such a system requires a good and interested Federal health system to administer this. Regards Rob Hosking GP, Bacchus Marsh
Dr. Les Bolitho wrote: >Perhaps there should be automatic SMS reminders and directions sent to >patients as reminders... > > >Regards >Les Bolitho > >Dr Leslie E Bolitho >Consultant Physician in Internal Medicine >MBBS FRACP FACRRM > >6 Dixon Street, Wangaratta .Vic.3677.Australia >Phone 61 3 5721 5533 ; Fax 61 3 5722 1781 >Mobile 0418 574 463 ; email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >On Behalf Of Greg Twyford >Sent: Tuesday, 7 March 2006 12:11 PM >To: General Practice Computing Group Talk >Subject: Re: [GPCG_TALK] Increase in radiology ordering > >john dooley wrote: > > >>Richard Hosking wrote: >> >> >>>AS I have said before - look at the workflow. >>>The patient is the messenger of the request - why send it separately via >>>E mail? >>>If it arrives separately, the radiology practice now has to worry >>>whether the pt will turn up. >>>They have the address and contact details on the form - indeed the forms >>>are DESIGNED to be used this way. >>> >>>R >>> >>> >>> >>R >> >>The point of the electronic request for the xray company is the data >>entry girls dont have to enter it when the patient fronts....big big big >>savings (data entry is basically expensive) same as path and also big >>improvement in reducing errors on data entry...on the downside as has >>been pointed out is what to do with the % of no shows clogging the >>databases...and more importantly what medicolegal obligations does that >>raise...re followup of noshows... >> >> > >Guys, > >I agree. I'd actually think a system for notifying the GP of the 'no >shows' would be easy to build into the system and would be another huge >advantage. Similar to the path providers' advice to GPs when patients' >Paps are due again. Everyone's arse is protected that way. > >All the regular patients will already know the way to the >pathology/radiology centre their GP uses. I know I do. Maybe a list at >the front desk, or a sign, for those who don't? No problem for the big >medical centres either, as it's just down the hall. > >Greg > > _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
