Closing the Loop on Timely Follow-up Execution
Tracking systems can be used to check whether follow-up has been completed or deemed clinically obsolete, as well as to intervene when it has not been completed as required (Figure 2).[4,5,20]
About 30% of follow-up recommendations lack confirmation of completion, posing a significant safety gap for patients and providers.[21–23] The effectiveness of tracking systems in diminishing this safety gap is well documented. For example, a tracking system for incidental lung nodules reduce the missed follow-up rate from 74% to 10%.[24] Mammography reminder systems increase the likelihood of obtaining a mammogram by 50%.[25] At a single institution, AIF tracking systems increased follow-up completion rates from 43% to 71%.[20]
Appl Radiol. 2021;50(6):22-26. © 2021 Anderson Publishing, Ltd.
