Final answer:
When a patient misses an appointment, a medical assistant should accurately note this on the patient's medical record, which is essential for both administrative and legal purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient fails to keep an appointment, the medical assistant should make a note on the patient’s medical record.
This action is crucial for maintaining an accurate account of the patient’s engagement with the healthcare facility, as well as for legal and administrative reasons. Every instance where a patient does not attend a scheduled appointment should be documented promptly and accurately. The note should include the date and time of the missed appointment and any subsequent action taken by the medical office, such as rescheduling the appointment or reaching out to the patient for clarification.
It is also beneficial to record the method of communication used to remind the patient of the appointment or to inquire about their absence. Accurate record-keeping can help healthcare providers identify patterns of non-attendance, which might indicate areas where patient support could be improved.
Additionally, these records can be vital in the instances where billing for missed appointments is an accepted practice, or when there are legal considerations regarding the patient's care continuity.