What is the purpose of an internal referral?

The purpose of an internal referral is to facilitate communication between providers within the same healthcare system, particularly when it comes to managing a patient's appointments and care. By notifying a provider in another clinic of a patient's appointment, it ensures that all necessary parties are informed and can coordinate care effectively. This process is crucial for maintaining continuity of care and ensuring that follow-up appointments or specialty consultations are organized systematically.

The incorrect options highlight different functions that may be part of the healthcare workflow but do not accurately represent the specific goal of an internal referral. Assessing a patient's eligibility for insurance is primarily a financial or eligibility determination process. Scheduling procedures and surgeries usually requires direct coordination with surgical departments rather than serving as a cross-clinic notification to providers. Similarly, requesting lab tests is a distinct clinical action usually initiated by a provider based on patient assessments rather than an overarching notification strategy among clinics.