Signatures On Reports: Dotting Your I's, Crossing Your
T's
from
the Fall 1998 issue
Do
the final reports submitted with your case studies all have
a physician signature?
In
analyzing the trend of reasons for deferred decisions, one problem
is consistently evident -- the lack of a physician signature
on the final reports submitted with the case studies. While
the reviewers usually feel certain that the interpreting physician
has signed the report, there is no evidence that this is being
done. One reason for the lack of a signature may be that, for
the purpose of the application, a duplicate copy of the final
report has been printed from a computer. The original signed
report may have been sent to the referring physician and the
unsigned copy is the only one on file. This is certainly an
appropriate practice; however, the policy documenting this practice
must be included with your application.
The
lack of a signature in the application may also occur because
an electronic signature method is being employed. The fact that
an electronic signature is used is not always evident in the
reports submitted with the cases; therefore, laboratories utilizing
electronic signatures are strongly advised to submit a copy
of the policy outlining the procedure for reviewing and signing
final reports.
A
deferred decision may occur for any number of reasons; however,
it is commonly caused when questions on the application have
been missed or inadequately completed. Signature clarification
is one of the easiest issues to address prior to submitting
an application. While a deferred decision is only a temporary
setback, it is a disappointment for laboratory staff that can
easily be avoided.
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