It’s Not Over Yet: Emergency Department Findings That Need Follow-Up
November 6, 2025 from 9:00am MST to 9:50am MST
Does this patient’s hematuria require follow-up to rule out malignancy? Should every case of diverticulitis be followed by a colonoscopy? How do I know whether a pulmonary embolism could be the first sign of an underlying cancer?
Those working in emergency departments (ED) often uncover findings that may signal more serious diagnoses, but the need for follow-up frequently falls into a grey zone. Knowing which findings need further workup - and when, how, and by whom - is crucial for optimal patient care.
This session explores commonly encountered ED findings that require outpatient follow-up. Using real-world, case-based examples, we will review best practices on what findings require follow up, documentation, determining urgency, and coordinating care transitions. Topics include incidental imaging findings, abnormal labs, and diagnoses that warrant additional investigation to rule out more serious underlying causes.
Attendees will leave with practical tools for prioritizing follow-up, applying current guidelines, and improving communication between emergency and outpatient providers. This session is designed to close the loop between acute and longitudinal care, reduce diagnostic delays, and support high-quality, team-based medicine.
Speakers / Panelists
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It’s Not Over Yet: Emergency Department Findings That Need Follow-Up
November 6, 2025 from 9:00am MST to 9:50am MST -
It’s Not Over Yet: Emergency Department Findings That Need Follow-Up
November 6, 2025 from 9:00am MST to 9:50am MST
Rebecca Haworth
MD
Rebecca Haworth
Dr. Rebecca Haworth is an emergency medicine physician and a faculty member with the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at Dalhousie University. She has worked in tertiary, regional, and community hospital settings across Nova Scotia, and spent several years providing primary care through the Virtual Care Nova Scotia platform - often supporting patients following emergency department visits. Her interests include interprofessional education, PA integration, and improving transitions of care between emergency and primary care.
Erin Sephton
CCPA
Erin Sephton
Erin Sephton is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of experience in emergency medicine, orthopedics, and primary care. She is a faculty member with Dalhousie University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, and her work spans clinical practice, education, and national advocacy for the PA profession. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the 2024 Tom Ashman Physician Assistant of the Year Award.