4.4 Referrals

A CMAA is calling a hospital to schedule an appointment for a patient. The CMAA has been transferred to the correct department. How should he start the conversation with the receptionist?

• By describing the patient's symptoms

• By providing the patient's name & date of birth

• By identifying himself and the office he's calling from

• By identifying his reason for calling

What is hospitalization?

• When a person works in a hospital

• When a patient is checked out of a hospital

• When a person visits a patient in the hospital

• When a patient is checked into a hospital

A patient is scheduled for a 7:45am hospital admission. What does this mean?

• The assistant will call the hospital at 7:45am

• The patient will be formally checked into the hospital at 7:45am

• The patient will be formally checked out of the hospital at 7:45am

• The patient is allowed visitors at 7:45am

A patient has been referred to another physician for a consultation. The patient prefers to schedule the appointment herself. What should the assistant do?

• Giver the patient a referral form and the facility's contact information

• Provide no assistance

• Talk the patient out of scheduling the appointment herself

• Send the physician a thank you note

Which type of hospitalization is NOT planned in advance?

• elective hospitalization

• emergency hospitalization

• all of the above

Under what circumstance might a physician refer a patient to another physician for a consultation?

• The physician would like a second opinion on patient care

• The consulting physician needs new business

• The physician has little time for established patients

• It is the medical office assistant's recommendation

A patient has a large laceration (cut) that requires immediate attention. The physician cannot perform the procedure and immediately sends the patient to the hospital. What type of hospitalization is this?

• emergency

• elective

• effective

• optional

Under what circumstance would a hospital admit a patient before surgery is scheduled?

• in call cases of hospitalization

• never

• at the patient's request

• in an emergency

Why might a patient be referred to another physician or facility?

• for testing

• for a second opinion

• for an examination

• all of the above

Why may physicians refer patients for outpatient tests?

• The patient prefers to see another physician

• The assistant has made the recommendation

• The physician's practice is getting too large

• The medical office does not have the required equipment