Nancy Burden: Our centers have addressed the one-year follow up after implanted devices in two ways. First, in the monthly letter to all physicians asking for details of infections or complications of the prior month’s patients, we have added a query about any patient within the last year having come back to the physician for signs of an infection.
Additionally, we created a process for telephoning 30 percent of appropriate patients from that month in the prior year. A script is followed to solicit information that might lead us to identify the possibility of an infection. Not only are we soliciting information about infection, but we are also making a new connection with our patients and finding out their opinions and experiences in other areas of our care — a win-win!
Submit your accreditation questions to Rob Kurtz at rob@beckersasc.com.
