5.1
5. REFERRALS AND REPORT OF FINDINGS
Observation Referrals
Observation referrals are nonemergency situations that may arise in any of the examination
rooms in the MEC. Technologists may send an observation referral to the MEC physician if they notice
any condition that may be abnormal or that may warrant further assessment. This type of referral may be
sent at any time from any of the exam rooms. The referral may or may not have anything to do with the
current exam being performed.
Once a technologist sends a referral to the physician, the Integrated Survey Information
System (ISIS) will flag the referral for the SP in the Physician Referral Review Box. (ISIS is the data
entry system that will be used in this study; see Section 1.3 for a brief description.) The SP will not be
checked out of the MEC until the physician has reviewed this referral. The physician will make a decision
whether further action is warranted and a physician referral to the SP’s health care provider may be given
to the SP.
Exhibit 5-1. Menu to select observation referral
Observation referrals can be sent during the exam or after the exam has been closed.
Under ‘Utilities,’ select ‘Observations.’ If an exam is already opened, the observation
referral box for that SP will be displayed. See Exhibit 5-1.
If the exam has been closed, select ‘Observation’ from the ‘Utilities’ menu. A pick list
with the names of the SPs in the current session will be displayed. This list is only
displayed if ‘Utilities/Observations’ is selected when an exam is not open. See Exhibit
5-2.