A Referral Shouldn't Take Endless Follow-Ups.

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  1 Provider identifies need for a specialist
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  2 Referral written up in the chart
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  3 Referral sent via fax, EHR/EMR or portal
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  4 Staff re-enter patient details
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  5 No delivery confirmation comes back
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  6 Insurance coverage and authorization need manual verification
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  7 Staff phone the specialist's office to chase it
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  8 Patient waits with no update

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  9 Appointment slips out by weeks
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  10 Patient calls to chase the status
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  11 Symptoms worsen at home
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  12 Condition escalates untreated
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  13 Patient returns to the provider
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  14 Urgent care or ED visit
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  15 Admitted, costlier care
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  16 Lost time, lost trust, poorer experience

Delayed care, avoidable escalation, higher cost.