Followup Tracking

Follow-up Tracking

You are an expert in radiology follow-up tracking. Your role is to help manage incidental findings, schedule follow-up studies, and ensure patients receive appropriate surveillance.

Follow-up Categories

Incidental Findings

Common incidental findings requiring follow-up:

Surveillance Programs

Follow-up Protocols

Lung Nodule Follow-up

LUNG_NODULE_PROTOCOL = {
    "baseline_ct": {
        "indication": "New lung nodule detected",
        "protocol": "CT Chest with contrast (thin section)",
        "report_additional": "Nodule characteristics"
    },
    "followup_intervals": {
        "<4mm": {"action": "No routine follow-up", "category": "Lung-RADS 2"},
        "4-6mm": {"action": "CT at 12 months", "category": "Lung-RADS 2"},
        "6-8mm": {"action": "CT at 6-12 months", "category": "Lung-RADS 3"},
        "8mm solid": {"action": "CT at 3 months, PET, or biopsy", "category": "Lung-RADS 4"},
        "Ground glass": {
            "<6mm": {"action": "CT at 6-12 months"},
            ">=6mm": {"action": "CT at 6-12 months"},
            ">=20mm or growing": {"action": "Consider biopsy"}
        }
    }
}

Incidental Adrenal Nodule

ADRENAL_NODULE_PROTOCOL = {
    "<1cm": {"action": "No routine follow-up"},
    "1-2cm": {
        "action": "MRI or CT protocol for characterization",
        "indications": ["History of malignancy", "Imaging features concerning"]
    },
    ">2cm or concerning": {
        "action": "Dedicated adrenal CT/MRI, consider biopsy",
        "additional": "Chemical shift imaging"
    }
}

Tracking System Components

Patient Follow-up Registry Entry

FOLLOWUP_ENTRY = {
    "patient": {
        "name": "Patient Name",
        "mrn": "123456",
        "dob": "1980-01-15",
        "contact": {
            "phone": "555-123-4567",
            "email": "patient@email.com"
        }
    },
    "finding": {
        "anatomy": "lung",
        "type": "nodule",
        "location": "right upper lobe",
        "size_mm": 8,
        "characteristics": "solid",
        "category": "Lung-RADS 4A"
    },
    "study": {
        "accession": "ACC123456",
        "date": "2026-03-15",
        "modality": "CT",
        "report": "Finding documented in full report"
    },
    "followup": {
        "type": "imaging",
        "study": "CT Chest",
        "due_date": "2026-09-15",  # 6 months
        "interval_months": 6,
        "status": "pending"
    },
    "communication": {
        "patient_notified": True,
        "provider_notified": True,
        "scheduled": False,
        "appointment_date": None
    }
}

Reminder Workflow

Patient Outreach

REMINDER_TYPES = {
    "initial": {
        "timing": "Within 48 hours of finding",
        "method": "Patient portal message + letter",
        "content": {
            "finding": "Explained in plain language",
            "why_followup": "Important for your health",
            "next_steps": "Instructions for scheduling",
            "contact": "Phone number for questions"
        }
    },
    "scheduling_reminder": {
        "timing": "1 week before due date",
        "method": "Phone call + portal",
        "content": {
            "study": "Reminder of scheduled scan",
            "preparation": "Prep instructions",
            "contact": "Reschedule if needed"
        }
    },
    "due_reminder": {
        "timing": "On due date",
        "method": "Phone call",
        "content": {
            "overdue": "Follow-up is due",
            "action": "Please schedule ASAP"
        }
    },
    "missed_appointment": {
        "timing": "After no-show",
        "method": "Phone call",
        "content": {
            "missed": "Apology for inconvenience",
            "importance": "Why follow-up matters",
            "reschedule": "Call to reschedule"
        }
    }
}

Letter Templates

Initial Follow-up Notification

Dear [Patient Name],

Your recent imaging study showed a finding that we recommend 
monitoring with follow-up imaging.

WHAT WAS FOUND:
[Plain language description of finding]

WHY IS FOLLOW-UP NEEDED?
[Explanation of why monitoring is important]

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?
Please schedule a [type of scan] within [timeframe]. Your 
healthcare provider has been informed of this recommendation.

TO SCHEDULE:
Call: [Phone number]
Online: [Patient portal link]

QUESTIONS?
Contact your healthcare provider or call us at [number].

This finding does not require emergency care, but please do 
not delay scheduling the follow-up.

Sincerely,
[Radiology Department]

Overdue Follow-up Alert

SUBJECT: Follow-up Imaging Overdue - Action Required

Dear [Patient Name],

Our records show that your follow-up [type of scan] is now overdue.

FINDING TO MONITOR:
[Description]

ORIGINAL STUDY DATE: [Date]
FOLLOW-UP WAS DUE: [Date]

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Many findings like this remain stable over time, but it's 
important to check. This follow-up helps ensure your health.

WHAT TO DO:
Please call [number] today to schedule your follow-up scan. 
We can help find a convenient appointment time for you.

QUESTIONS?
Call [number] or message your healthcare provider through the 
patient portal.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[Radiology Care Team]

Quality Metrics

Follow-up Completion Rate

FOLLOWUP_METRICS = {
    "completion_rate": {
        "numerator": "Follow-up completed within recommended timeframe",
        "denominator": "All findings requiring follow-up",
        "target": ">80%"
    },
    "timeliness": {
        "numerator": "Follow-up completed within 30 days of due date",
        "denominator": "All completed follow-ups",
        "target": ">90%"
    },
    "patient_contact": {
        "numerator": "Patients contacted within 48 hours",
        "denominator": "All findings requiring follow-up",
        "target": "100%"
    }
}

Related Skills

• care-gap-closure: For population health screening
• patient-results-letter: For patient communication
• guideline-integration: For evidence-based intervals
• structured-reporting: For standardized findings documentation

Examples

Example 1: Create Follow-up for Lung Nodule

Set up follow-up tracking for a 7mm lung nodule

followup = {
    "patient": {"name": "John Smith", "mrn": "123456"},
    "finding": {
        "type": "lung_nodule",
        "size_mm": 7,
        "characteristics": "solid, smooth margins"
    },
    "study": {"date": "2026-03-01", "accession": "ACC001"},
    "followup": {
        "type": "CT Chest",
        "due_date": "2026-09-01",  # 6 months
        "interval": "6 months",
        "status": "pending",
        "provider_notified": True
    },
    "patient_contact": {
        "method": "letter + portal",
        "sent_date": "2026-03-03",
        "scheduled": False
    }
}

Example 2: Identify Missed Follow-ups

Find all patients with lung nodule follow-ups overdue by more than 30 days

query = {
    "finding_type": "lung_nodule",
    "size_range": "6-8mm",
    "status": "pending",
    "overdue_days": 30,
    "date_field": "followup_due_date",
    "comparison": "less_than",
    "reference_date": "today_minus_30_days"
}