Telephone Screening of Ophthalmic Problems: Sample Contact Forms and Screening Guideline

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Each day, countless patients call their ophthalmologist to report problems and seek advice. During the day, physicians rely upon their office staff to screen these calls and schedule appointments. After-hours, ophthalmologists themselves field many calls while providing coverage for their own and other physicians’ practices, as well as for the Emergency Departments of hospitals.

Making medical decisions on the basis of the limited information obtained over the telephone is, therefore, a risky—albeit necessary—aspect of ophthalmic practice. Indeed, OMIC’S claims experience confirms that inadequate telephone screening, improper decision-making, and lack of documentation all play a significant role in ophthalmic malpractice claims. Negligent telephone screening and treatment of postoperative patients is especially likely to result in malpractice claims.

Our Telephone screening toolkit with forms provides a sample telephone screening form for staff, an appointment guideline, and a form for after-hours care.

OMIC policyholders may call our confidential Risk Management Hotline for assistance. Email us at riskmanagement@omic.com, or call us at 800-562-6642, option 4.

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