Signatures On Reports: Dotting Your I's, Crossing Your T's

from the Fall 1998 issue

Do the final reports submitted with your case studies all have a physician signature?

In analyzing the trend of reasons for deferred decisions, one problem is consistently evident -- the lack of a physician signature on the final reports submitted with the case studies. While the reviewers usually feel certain that the interpreting physician has signed the report, there is no evidence that this is being done. One reason for the lack of a signature may be that, for the purpose of the application, a duplicate copy of the final report has been printed from a computer. The original signed report may have been sent to the referring physician and the unsigned copy is the only one on file. This is certainly an appropriate practice; however, the policy documenting this practice must be included with your application.

The lack of a signature in the application may also occur because an electronic signature method is being employed. The fact that an electronic signature is used is not always evident in the reports submitted with the cases; therefore, laboratories utilizing electronic signatures are strongly advised to submit a copy of the policy outlining the procedure for reviewing and signing final reports.

A deferred decision may occur for any number of reasons; however, it is commonly caused when questions on the application have been missed or inadequately completed. Signature clarification is one of the easiest issues to address prior to submitting an application. While a deferred decision is only a temporary setback, it is a disappointment for laboratory staff that can easily be avoided.

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