Regulations Regarding Physician Responsibility to Answer Post-discharge Queries
Dear Colleagues, I'm being challenged at my local facility--the question is: What regulation/rule requires that the attending of record respond to a post discharge query? It seems so elementary, yet I'm not able to find the written requirement. We have physicians who are now stating they want their physician assistants to answer the post-discharge query, and the attending will sign the electronic record on 're analysis.' My understanding is physicians are the only ones that can admit and discharge patients, and since this is post-discharge clarification, it is the responsibility of the attending of record. Please help. Thank you!
Melanie Halpern
Melanie.halpern@atlantichealth.org