Final answer:
After apologizing for the provider's lateness, a medical assistant should offer patients an estimated wait time, maintain open communication, and provide options for rescheduling.
Step-by-step explanation:
After apologizing to waiting patients for a provider's tardiness, a medical assistant should take additional steps to ensure clear and effective communication. The next step would typically include offering an estimated wait time so patients can decide if they wish to wait or possibly reschedule their appointments. Furthermore, it's important to maintain open communication with the waiting patients, providing them with updates on the situation as they develop and answering any questions they may have. If the delay is significant, the medical assistant might also consider providing options for rescheduling the appointment to accommodate the patients' time.