requesting copies of medical records
 

The veterans here all say to do this. I just found out why. I was nosing through my daughter's chart at her pediatrician's office the other day, and saw a letter in there from her cardiologist saying that her left pulmonary artery stent wasn't allowing sufficient blood flow--dated last August. No one had mentioned it to me! I asked her cardiologist, and sure enough, she needs a scan to determine whether or not the stent needs dilating. This would have been missed if I hadn't been poking through the records, which the nurse left out by mistake (once a nurse called me "nosy" for doing that! Nosy!). My daughter could have sustained permanent lung damage.

I am furious. I am boiling mad. No more! I will not trust this system any more. If they could let something so big slip by, what other things are falling through the holes?

So, please tell me: how do I request records? I know I can ask for copies of everything there is so far, but how do I request on-going records as they happen? Do I stop by the desk on the way out and ask for any new records each time? Or call the office a week after each appointment? I'm not sure how to go about this. Thank you.

Abby

For someone who has experience doctors creative writing and withholding this is what I do. Ask the staff at the clinic, hosp , univerisity for a records release form. Sign to be good for one year which is the max you can do. I also do this at my lab I use for blood test so I get copies so if my pcp which is great at this calls and says all is OK , normal what ever I can see. Like my liver enzymes that had been climbing for years before I went to the universiiyt.

To automatically get at least for me is not possible unless one of your places has set up patient access to record online which my university has tho it doesnt include old records.

I can call and ask to get something or call and hask for the last 6 months or more. Go for the oldest first incase someone tries to use that they threw those out which the hosp did where I had my babies. They cant flag them to automatically come at any of the places I go.

Annie59

Abby I get copies of all my records at the check-out desk the day of the visit. I have never been turned down because if they did they won't see me again. I change doctors as fast as I change my drawers. Don't take any crap from nurses or doctors there are others that will take their place.

Saw my neuro yesterday and we are going to do another run of IVIG. He also increased my 60mg of Mestinon to 4 a day instead of 3. I also take a 180mg time release at night. He said if this Ivig didn't work we were going to try plasmapheresis.
Mike

I either get copies on my way out - or ask to pick them up the following week. If you wait too long or ask for the file to be printed from 'such and such' a date - - some docs try to charge you a fee! (But never have I had this attempted when I have gone after the notes from the latest appointment.)

About 1 year ago, my neuro instituted a policy of 'random' drug testing!! - and has a form which they ask patients to sign on check in. I always sign it conditionally - I agree to drug screening AT YOUR EXPENSE!!

I've never been 'randomly' selected!

It's amazing what they want from patients!

Suev, Wow great thougt on how to cover that. Even I wouldnt have thought of that. Make them pay for and adjust their form. The only thing that I canb do in the office as PingPongman noted is to request the current visit notes on the way out as it takes time to get the dictation typed. Given that I have gotten frowny faces from the staff at times indicating they dont like this as they follow this up by ssaying I have to ask my doctor personally I just skip the drama and work with medical reocrds as they they know the law and it is your right. In smaller faciilties this maybe a little different as I did run into the charging thing from a satalite clinic for the university under a doc I saw that had strange rules. I finally got a nurse to agree to let me come in and view the record and found out there was the beginning blood test that is one of the indicators for Sjogrens tho she said I likely only had Chronic Fatigue "and I DONT treat it!!"

Annie59

I was told to also ask for the doctors notes. You can get the copy of your appointment right away and get his notes a few days later. I have to get better at this.
I was given a binder from my case worker. I was encouraged to take it with me to every visit and ask for all of my information. I am trying to get better at it. When I remember my binder, I notice I am being asked more and more if I would like a copy. Even at lab tests they see my binder and at times ask me first if I am wanting a copy for my records.

I jsut remembered that in another group I belonged to talked about keeping a folder of key info to have by the door, or just ready to go to ER. For me this is something I have worked on as I have had some very bad ER visits around my breathing and being genrally worse. the last was the worst in July 09. This posting reminded me I havent updated this and need to now that I have a 3rd doc say MG. Yes 2 are eye doc but it all counts.
Annie59

[QUOTE=Imatthebeach;758814]I was told to also ask for the doctors notes. You can get the copy of your appointment