Health
A Medical Imaging Scientist, Dr Livinus Abonyi, says hospitals can reject diagnostic results from another hospital depending on the circumstances.
According to him, hospitals cam also refer a patient to another health institution in the overall interest of such a patient.
Abonyi, also a lecturer at the Department of Medical Radiography, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
He also described the rejection of diagnostic results/referral of patients by hospitals as a `necessary evil’ if such need arose.
According to him, referral and rejection of medical results are basically done to ensure that not only the accurate and reliable results are worked upon but also to ensure that quality services are rendered to patients.
“For whatever reason a doctor would reject a test from another hospital or refer a patient to a particular diagnostic centre for tests usually in the overall interest of the patient.
Abonyi listed other reasons which could necessitate hospital referral/rejection of tests to include the need for an updated version of the health condition.
He also listed the need for immediate/instant results and when such services are not available in the hospital as other reasons.
He said that a majority of Nigerians do not make budget for health emergencies and uncertainties, which he said constitute the main reason patients might frown when a doctor rejected the test results or direct them to redo the tests.
According to him, if there is enough provision for health in terms of cash, the patient will gladly go and redo the test, knowing that, it is in his/her overall interest.
“The are multiple reasons why hospitals reject diagnostic results from another hospital. But the overall motive is in the interest of the patients.
“Meanwhile, an effective referral system ensures a close relationship between all levels of the health system and helps to ensure people receive the best possible care closest to them.
“It also assists in making cost-effective use of hospitals and primary health care services,”
“Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t make budget for their health; which is why a patient may complain, considering the cost implications of being referred outside or to a particular diagnostic centre for tests,” Abonyi said.
Abonyi, therefore, urged Nigerians to always make a budget for their healthcare so that in case of health issues, they could afford to go for standard and quality healthcare services.
He said that standard and quality healthcare were not cheap anywhere in the world.
An outpatient at Isolo General Hospital, Mrs Beatrice Chijindu, alleged that some doctors and hospitals have abused the referral process, as they used the medium to extort money from patients.
Chijindu also alleged that some doctors use the referral system to enrich their pockets, as they often referred patients to diagnostic centres where they were co-owners or managing partners.
According to her, “aside the stress of locating or transporting to the referred diagnostic outfit, the costs of their services most times are usually on the high side.”
Mr Olumide Fadipe, Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) Lagos Branch, advised hospitals and medical laboratories to ensure that their diagnostic outfits were up to standard and dully licenced by the regulatory body.
Fadipe said that it was the sole responsibility of the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLCN) or the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to register and license medical lab outfits to operate.
According to him, there has not been any evidence to prove that hospitals or diagnostic centres use the referral system for profiteering.
He said, “I have been hearing that allegation, but there’s no evidence to prove it.
“Meanwhile, it is unfortunate if that is so. To me as AMLSN chairman, it’s still in the realm of allegation until someone is confirmed of the action and brought to book.” (NAN)
– June 22, 2022 @ 16:34 GMT | AI.
Tags: Livinus Abonyi
