title: The importance of follow-up: why is it my responsibility?
abstract: Like poor communication, poor office management can create ill-will among patients and can actually contribute to negligence itself. It is imperative that every office have a system for tracking test results and referrals to ensure that patients do not "fall though the cracks". There are several types of effective tracking systems. But, the key to a good follow-up system is to use the system.
authors.affiliation: Illinois State Medical Inter-Insurance Exchange, 20 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60602, USA. mcgrath@ismie.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D017010:Reminder Systems; D014481:United States