On Number 4 (follow ups on orders), we are using the Orders screen. Staff has a schedule (every 2 weeks) to followup on pending orders. (Wk 2-a call, Wk 4-call, Wk 6-letter, Wk 8- chart back to provider.) As staff goes through the steps, they add comments to the order (e.g. "s/w pt 6/21. says will get done"), and an addendum charting the communication. That way there's no record keeping going on outside AC (like an excel file, or paper lists, etc.).
But, would be nice (at the risk of adding to your list) if:
(1) the addendum reflecting the follow up on the order could be charted from the orders screen (e.g. without having to do duplicate entries on the orders screen and in the chart);
(2) the orders could be tagged with a changeable followup date; and
(3) the orders screen could be filtered to show a specific patient (or the comments field were accessible from the patient's chart - - or both).
We are processing referrals in and referrals out the same way. (Just had a colleague get investigated by the state board for failing to make sure that a patient actually went to their referral appointment.)
