Sealing the cracks: VA system automatically alerts physicians when test results are available.
It's typical for radiologists to call referring physicians when a test result is abnormal, but sometimes the communication falls through the cracks. The Asheville (NC) VA Medical Center uses a computer program similar to e-mail to provide a safety net.
D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs