GRRRR!!! You've got to be kidding me!!!

[lovemy6monkeys]

I had an appointment set for this afternoon with my neuro to go over the results of my LP. The office just called to say they are running behind. They are *always* 2+ hours behind, so I expected a call asking me to come in an hour or two later. Well, they are running FIVE hours behind! She asked if I was willing to reschedule, and of course I am. I figured she would have me come in tomorrow or Monday morning. Nope, first opening they have is August 4th because my doctor is on vacation for 2 weeks. So, I told her I have a bit of an issue, nothing that I'd need a same day appointment for, but I asked if I could possibly see the physicians assistant. She said he no longer works there :-(

I told her if I'm still feeling the pressure in my chest tomorrow or Monday I'll just see my regular doctor, but I asked if there was any chance I can find out if the LP was positive or negative over the phone. I told her I'll lose my mind if I have to wait another 3 weeks to find out the results! She said she will ask the doctor, and hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow. I hope. Or it is going to be a very long, very stressful 3 weeks!

~Jess

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thank you everyone! You all "getting your dander" up on my behalf brought a smile to my face :-)  <---see? LOL

I had a perfect storm of an all around horrible day, and did not get to call the office. They also did not call me, which is very much not like them. So, hopefully the office will be open on Monday, even without the doctor being there (I would think so, they have an infusion center in the office, so they would need to be open for that I would think!) I'm going to call first thing Sunday morning and tell them my hubby will be in at 5 for a copy of the lab report.

I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm hoping to spend some time doing nothing... preferably alone.... definitely with chocolate of some sort. LOL
~Jess  

[fig65]

I understand your frustration. Last time I was in to see my neuro. he wanted me to come in for a follow up in 4 weeks, well the only available apt. was in 8 weeks - arrrgh! I still have 4 to go! Meanwhile I had my mris done and just the radiologist reports to look at. I would hope if there was anything of concern (with your LP or my mri) the docs would have sense enough to at least call or try to bump up the appointments. I have a strange feeling they are only just viewing the results for the first time at the actual time of the appointment. Sometimes the way they go over them it is as if they have not yet seen them. In the past my neuro has viewed the images in front of me, so at least I know he is looking at them himself.
I'm sorry you have to wait so long, but as others here have mentioned you can get copies of your results from the hospital. Deciphering them can be quite a challenge though.

[missy72450]

In the US they are legally bound to give you your medical records. Accordng to there each individual policies however. So if tey have a 24 hour turnaround it may be they put you off for 24 hours but they can not pur you off for three weeks. Everyone is right. I would try the 'I will be thee in an hour" line first and see where it gets you.

[doublevision1]

I agree that ultimately our records are our own, however the issue of how they are and by whom they can be released may vary widely.  If it were me I would go to the dr office myself as others here suggested, though they may not be obliged to provide such documents on the spot.  Timing may be subject to whatever laws govern access to your personal information in your province/state/country.  In Alberta, agencies/service providers both private and public have a particular time frame in which to respond to a formal request.  This is the step one would take if the holder of the info refuses to release the document if requested informally.  

In terms of the lab itself, they may have a policy only to release results to whomever requested it.  If the requistion came from a dr office, they may only provide it back to that office, unless your dr cc'ed you.  I actually did manage to get my NMO-IgG results by phone from the lab;  they realized they'd let the cat out of the bag when I started asking a bunch of questions about what the results meant.  Having said that, there might be a legal right to get results from a lab regardelss of who ordered the test, because it IS patient personal information.  But I imagine by the time one got through all their hoops and stall tactics, you'd have them from your dr by then anyway.  And there is a valid reason for labs not wanting to be the messenger; results should be interpreted and explained by a qualified dr/nurse, etc; preferably face to face, though this isn't always practical.

So bottom line, yes our results legally and on principle are ours, though not necessarily may we have them as quickly as we think legally are entitled.  Still, I'd try every angle rather that stew over it.  At least you know you tried.  And btw it is terrible your doc is extending your period of anxiety due to their poor scheduling.  They should arrange for another doc to see you sooner.

[Lulu54]

Jess, everyone has hit the mark with the advice and I can add nothing new except my voice of encouragement.  Do exactly as Redflame suggested and stand your ground.  Those are your results - you own them.

be well, Lu

[RedFlame]

Hi Jess,  I have been waiting and wondering when you would get the results.  I do hope that your report will help with the diagnosis.

Here's the scoop.  The records, tests, etc. all belong to you.  They do not belong to the doctor or his office.  They are yours PERIOD end of story.  So here is what you do.  

Call the office tomorrow morning.  Say "Hi, _____ I will be coming in to pick up the results of my LP test.  I wanted to give you a chance to pull my chart and make a copy.  I will be there in about an hour.  Thanks so much".  

Go into the office and just let them know you are there to pick up your test.  They can't tell you no.  Before you leave the office, make sure that they have given you what you needed.  Basically you are dealing with office staff that have no investment in your records.  Remember they belong to you and it is your right to have them

You can do it girlfriend!!

((((Hugs))))

[Sparkysarah]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get the results asap...you deserve to know this and it is so hard waiting. Love and hgus

Sarah xx

[torikat32]

I had my lp done at the hospital and I called the lab a week later they said the results are ready so I went to the lab and picked up the results myself. you are entitled to see your result.  You just have to fill out a release paper. Is it possible to go to the lab yourself and get a copy? I have every result of any labs that I have had done for the last 3 years.  good luck and hope this may help instead of waiting 3 weeks

[Sarahsmom46]

That was quick thinking Jess, about getting the LP results now rather than later.  Some people would just wait and "assume" that the LP was ok and leave it at that. But, you have got to know that NOW not LATER.  So, good for you that you the bull by the horn about getting a response before he leaves.

I don't know how a neuro can get 5 hours behind. How is that even possible.  Geez, are the triple booking patients or what.  He's not a surgeon is he?  If not, then there is no good excuse for being behind that much unless he got in an accident that morning or something really bad happened that he had to take care of.  

I hope you get your results tomorrow.    

Julie

[Wobbly]

Hi there.. are you close to the office there?  If so, I would go to the office and ask for a copy of the results to see myself..?  If not, I would be abit more assertive and ask for the results on the phone.. waiting that long is not right.  
let us know what happens...


take care
wobbly

[Mike_Shuswap]

That's just not right! You cannot be expected to wait that long for results that are available now.

I'd be very surprised if the neuro won't at least tell you the LP results over the phone!

It would be unreasonable to make anyone wait that long, and I'm sure your neuro will do the right thing for you, at least I hope so.

Best of luck, and I hope the results are the ones you want

Mike