I have a problem for which I have no clear fool-proof solution. Please help.
Being a Neurologist, my two patient groups with potential problems are M.S. and Epilepsy. (I am sure your specialties will have your own.) These patients need to be monitored for clinical changes, medication levels, routine blood monitoring CBC, CMP etc, MRIs and follow-up appointments.
1. How does your office keep track of these patients? People move residences, practices, etc.. If for example I had 50 M.S. patients and 50 Epilepsy patients in 2015, how do I know at the end of 2016 that they are still my patients? Patients do not schedule, change appointments, cancel, move to other practices, etc.. How do I know how many/which patients I am liable for. Yes, I can do a database search for the diagnoses and send them mailers, but how often? What are others doing?
2. Labs, MRIs etc: The newer MS drugs need labs done 3-6 months. Patients don't have the labs done or may do it but as a part of a panel with another provider which does not get sent to me. How do I have a fool-proof way of making sure that they are done/received?
3. Appointments: I make them an appointment when they leave for 6 months, for example. Invariably, they cancel, no show or reschedule. Then, they are lost to follow-up. Cannot not fill their seizure meds ...
These are my main questions, among many others. Thank you for listening.
