Accreditation practice pointer: follow up of tests and results

GP2.2 C Our patients are advised of the practice’s process for follow-up of tests and results.

RACGP Standards for general practice.

General practice clinicians must inform patients of the practice’s procedure for following up tests and results. The timeliness of such information can impact on a patient’s healthcare journey, and so clarity is paramount in this instance.  

To meet the Criterion, the practice team members must be educated about the process to receive results so they can tell patients. It is sensible to maintain a recall policy document. Clinicians must also record in the patient’s health record what follow-up has occurred, all conversations with the patient and what treatment, if any, was required.

Practices can further support the process for follow-up of tests and results by appointing a practice team member responsible for the recall process and maintaining templates in a clinical software program to trigger recalls and reminders.