Final answer:
True, the medical assistant screens patients during scheduling to determine the urgency for appointments. This prioritizes patient care based on severity and ensures appropriate use of healthcare resources and readiness.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. During scheduling, the medical assistant will indeed screen patients to determine the urgency for appointment scheduling. This process is critical in healthcare settings to ensure that patients receive timely care based on the severity of their condition. It involves evaluating the patient's current health status, considering any potential risks or complications, and ensuring that resources such as hospital or clinic capacity, availability of necessary equipment, and appropriate medical staff are aligned to provide the best possible care.
For example, screening for urgency might include assessing if a patient requires immediate attention due to severe symptoms or if their condition allows for a routine appointment scheduled further out. In cases where there might be a risk of significant blood loss or critical events, as determined by the surgeon, these patients may be prioritized. Additionally, factors like whether prophylactic antibiotics have been administered and confirmation of all essential imaging results are relevant in the scheduling process, especially for surgeries.