Pathology results
Medical problems that require urgent clinical follow up may be detected by diagnostic tests which are processed, and/or reported, in the Out of Hours period. Unless the pathologist has access to an adequate history and accurate contact details, serious difficulties may arise.
Adding the patient's telephone number to a request form may allow further details of the medical history to be obtained in order to assess the medical risk adequately.
Urgent follow up is rarely required, but may be a matter of life and death.
Wessex LMCs has produced a poster below for display in your reception and clinical areas to remind patients to notify you of any change of address and to provide telephone contact numbers.
A venesector should always try to include adequate clinical details, an accurate address and, where possible, a current telephone number on the request form to prevent delay in an emergency.
CED 21/2/07
