inacurate medical notes from doc..what do I do?

[flowerfloosey]

I am so mad. I am preparing to go to Mayo Clinic in Az and have requested my medical records from my most recent neuro. He received all my records from the other docs that I had seen at UCSF and elsewhere so I decided to start there and see what he was missing in his records. In reading thru the doctors letters, I am appalled at the mis-statments of facts in my case. Totally wrong number of years of symptoms, and everything else in between. So..now that I am going to the Mayo, do I take these reports with me or let this doc decide on his own. Will he be influenced by what he reads before he sees me? I am so frustrated reading these. The tests show exactly what they are but the letters....wow, no wonder these docs can not figure out what is wrong with me!!!They have the FACTS ALL WRONG! Help!
Cynde

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

I don't blame you for being hesitant about taking those records with you. I have had the same problem in the past, only I didn't get to see my records until recently to even know that they were incorrect. My previous GP had been sending my records directly to specialists that I was referred to, not allowing me to see them. Although I know I have a right to my medical records, they REFUSED to give me a copy. Since then, I have seen some of their records, in bits and pieces, through specific things they have sent to other doctors, including false information about my character! I was SO upset! This same doctor's office did the same thing to my mom, who is an ordained minister! They made us out to be monsters. I'll admit, I did get somewhat pushy with them when they kept blowing me off and not giving me test results and what-not. But my mother would NEVER behave poorly.

Sorry, I'm a rambler, lol. The idea that someone else posted, about asking for copies of everything IMMEDIATELY when it goes into your chart is something that I will be doing from now on.

Btw, that other doctor's office is now closed - no longer practicing. How would I go about getting all of those records now? Any ideas? I'm sure I'll need those. That's several years of my medical history that I still don't have because they wouldn't give it to me before. :( Sorry to ask, but you apparently didn't have any problems getting yours. I suppose that's not the same as getting them from a place that no longer exists.

[flowerfloosey]

Thank you all for your empathy and caring. this is such a great forum of caring people! I am feeling a little better knowing I can eventually correct these. It is just overwhelming when you don't feel well, and have to get all of these records together. I have a complicated health history.

I had the bone scan yesterday and was in so much pain, I could hardly continue it. I should have taken pain pills before I went but didn't know what position I would be in for the test and didn't realize how much it was going to hurt. I go next Thurs to get the results.

[flowerfloosey]

Thanks Shell,,,that was good advice not to look anymore. I was so careful to chart exactly what was what when I was working and have been the vicim of a medication error in the hospital after surgery..so I am hypersensitive to mistakes but I know we are all human. It just really bugs me! I am trying to let it go!
Today I got my packet from Mayo. I am praying that they can figure this out for me!

[sllowe]

Hey there,

Yea, they sure can get stuff messed up in transcribing can't they?

What I did was, show the Dr. exactly where the discrepancies were in the letter.  Mine actually included the wrong age, among other things, etc.

If you decide to bring them, that is what I would do. Or, you can keep them off the side, only bring lab results, etc....

I think I only brought reports and the very 1st ltr. my neuro wrote (was short).  Not the messed up ones.

It is frustrating - don't even look at them anymore...lol....

-Shell

[biowham]

You're getting some great advice. This happens a lot; it's happened to me with two out of three of my most recent doctors.

Bio

[opie74]

Make a copy of the most irritating, correct it, make another copy.  Send one of the corrected copies back to the origional dr.  I think that it would make you feel better.  Be sure to have them include a note of any action taken, and ask that it be placed in your chart.

This will not do any good in the short term, but if you do it one at a time, you will atleist have your side in the files at each dr.

Good luck!  

When I became 23, i stole my records from the military (i was a dependant).  There are errors, illegible hand writing, and the pages are all out of order.  I was going through them tonight looking for the report of my first MRI.  It is missing!  UGG

Feeling your pain,
Opie

[Fluffysmom]

How about you deal with the old records as suggested; show only if necessary, and then with explanation.  You could write up a summary for each record, correcting misinformation.  If you want to change them in the future, take them one doctor at a time.

In the future, do what I've learned to do; request a copy of chart notes, lab work, test results, etc.,  each time they are generated.  I have sent letters twice to get records corrected from a current doctor.  

Before that, I wrote a letter challenging all the mistakes in the chart notes of a doctor I saw one time only.  I insisted it be added to my medical file so that accurate information would be available.

I still haven't heard back from the currrent doc on my second complaint, and need to follow up, as she totally ignored some really clear neurological symptoms.  Too important to let go!

Take care,

Kathy

[flowerfloosey]

oh my..there are so many things wrong with each doc. It will take me forever to change these things legally! UGH!

[Sunnytoday]

you do have the right to ask the doctor's to add an addendum to the records with the correct information... this way in the legal document (the medical record) there is the correct information.

[syndismilez]

Hi,
Just my 2 cents.
I would take a copy with the wrong things
crossed out and the right things wrote in by you!!!
I have had the same thing happen and the new Doc really
appreciated it.
Plus it gives you time to reread and proofread!
Good luck!!!
Cyndi :)

[doni54]

Hi Cyndee,

I'm so sorry this happened to you.  I've heard this same story many times here on the forum.  Just doesn't make sense does it?

I agree, take the records and explain where they are wrong.

Good luck with your appt!!

doni

[jellylegs]

hi, i think many of us are here stuck because of this same problem, i have just got hold of my records a huge achievment in my country with socialised medicine, had to use the freedom of information act to do so, and its no wonder they cant come up with anything after reading the rubbish histories, inaccurate description of symptoms, poor use of the english language and terrible handwriting. In my mothers time doctors often made very accurate diagnosis by listening carefully, thorough examination and proper documentation of a patients symptoms without any high tech eqipment. From my expierience this has completly gone out the window and these docs in a and e just treat us as if we were all objects to be sorted through in a days work with no thought atall given to the impact their thoughtless decisions have on our proffessional lives never mind our health. So much for the hippocrathic oath.

[opie74]

I would take them, but not share unless asked.  And as you hand them over to the doc, explain what you found in error.