Open Forum

Elizabeth, 

At my organization, MAs are allowed to call patients with normal test results. However, if the patient requires and education, the MA is advised to schedule the patient with the provider as a telephone or in-person appointment. If the patient declines this, then the patient is told that a nurse will call back to answer the questions they may have.

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Quiana Simmons
Metrohealth Medical Center
(216)509-5654
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I am in Oregon, and not California, so I am not sure if my response will be helpful.  We operate similarly to Quiana.  We allow MAs to give normal lab results.  They can also give abnormal results if the providers has typed out the full message to the patient.  If the patient has further questions after the MA gives the message, the MA could have them talk to a nurse or make an appointment with a provider.

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Angela Hall MN RN
Director of Nursing
Neighborhood Health Center
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-06-2023 07:36
From: Quiana Simmons
Subject: MA

Elizabeth, 

At my organization, MAs are allowed to call patients with normal test results. However, if the patient requires and education, the MA is advised to schedule the patient with the provider as a telephone or in-person appointment. If the patient declines this, then the patient is told that a nurse will call back to answer the questions they may have.

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Quiana Simmons
Metrohealth Medical Center
(216)509-5654
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Original Message:
Sent: 2/6/2023 10:49:00 AM
From: Angela Hall
Subject: RE: MA

I am in Oregon, and not California, so I am not sure if my response will be helpful.  We operate similarly to Quiana.  We allow MAs to give normal lab results.  They can also give abnormal results if the providers has typed out the full message to the patient.  If the patient has further questions after the MA gives the message, the MA could have them talk to a nurse or make an appointment with a provider.

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Angela Hall MN RN
Director of Nursing
Neighborhood Health Center
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 2/6/2023 7:37:00 AM
From: Quiana Simmons
Subject: RE: MA

Elizabeth, 

At my organization, MAs are allowed to call patients with normal test results. However, if the patient requires and education, the MA is advised to schedule the patient with the provider as a telephone or in-person appointment. If the patient declines this, then the patient is told that a nurse will call back to answer the questions they may have.

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Quiana Simmons
Metrohealth Medical Center
(216)509-5654
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We allow the medical assistants to convey messages from the ordering Provider.  If the Provider asks them to tell a patient a specific result and the subsequent plan of care, they can do so.  I imagine you would need a standing order from your medical director to authorize MAs to call in normal results with guidance for what results are normal.

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Lisa Duncan, DNP, MBA, RN, AMB-BC, CIC, NEA-BC
VP, Regulatory and Compliance
Family Health Centers of San Diego
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