I still think it is easier for one person to remember his or her lab than it is for a doctor to remember 2,000. (I know I don't have 2,000 labs out at the same time).
Yes, we do have all sorts of reminders in place, but it is always helpful to involve the patient. If a lab will change the management of the patient even on the same day, I will tell the patient, I will say if you haven't heard from me by 8 pm, please page me. And, they always do. And, I document that I told them this.
It's the same with referrals. My entire staff will say, "Ok, we will let you know the date of your ENT referral. If you haven't heard from us with a week, call us back as these sometimes fall through the cracks. We document this as well. We have safeguards and reminders for these too, but it is really helpful to make sure they know to call. It also helps so that they don't call two days later. There is nothing more embarrassing than their coming in a month later or calling and asking about the referral, and we haven't even started it due to some mix up.
