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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 4:24:25
Hi,
I just needed someone to listen/comment on what if anything. I'm not really sure at the moment. I've been seeing my PDoc, Dr. X, for 6 years, and has since gained and (at the present time)in the process of separating from his partner Dr Y. I went to see Dr. X last week, and when he went to retrieve my chart from beside his chair, it wasn't there. He went up front to get it, and was given the first chart. The second (containing all the progress notes, current info, etc.) was gone. When he asked for it, he was told the chart was 'property of the corporation', and he couldn't have it. I was told the chart was on the premises, and that was all. What I don't understand is this: if the problem was my pdoc leaving the corp, (an equal partner), and he couldn't have my chart, why was he allowed to have the first one? I did have a signed info sheet on file as well.This has about done me in, and I can't eat, sleep, concentrate, and I shake constantly. I'm a wreck, and have almost been admitted to the hospital again.
I feel as if I've been violated by a man that has it in for my pdoc, and is putting himself before the welfare of a patient. Regardless of who's patient I am.
Can ANYONE tell me how they would handle/deal with it? it isn't like I can just 'forget' about it. I don't mean anything in specific. I'm honestly at the end of my rope, and it's probably a good thing I don't have to see the keyboard to type.
Thanks
Lee
I know I'm gonna regret posting this.
Posted by ChrisK on March 7, 2001, at 6:33:03
In reply to Losing it (very long, I'm sorry), posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 4:24:25
You shouldn't regret posting anything around here. There are abunch of really good people who have been through as much or worse than anyone can imagine.
I don't know where you are but here in NY we can fill out a form and request any of our medical records at any time. The doctor (regardless of specialty)is required to produce copies of your medical records within a "reasonable" period of time. You can then do with these records whatever you deem appropriate. If you want to turn them over to DR X that is your business.
Again, that is what we can do in NY. I'm not sure that every state has such rules.
I was able to get hospital records on me from three years ago to file a SSDI claim this way.
Hope this helps,
Chris
Posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:53:24
In reply to Re: Losing it (very long, I'm sorry), posted by ChrisK on March 7, 2001, at 6:33:03
Kiddo
Have you inquired with your treating doctor's office what they are doing to retreave your file? His secretary should be able to answer your questions probably even better than the doctor. If they are in the process of getting back the files, (this may sound corny) have faith in them that they'll be able to settle it to your satisfaction, kinda like having faith in a higher power. And then imagine the situation resolved. I always use a five year projection when doing this and usually this works. Most things for me which seem like an issue now won't be in five years.
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by ksvt on March 7, 2001, at 8:24:50
In reply to Re: Losing it ..., posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:53:24
> Kiddo - I think this has a very easy solution and you are caught in between 2 docs who obviously had not worked this out in advance. My guess is that you are always entitled to a copy of any file which exists, and that a failure to deliver the file would be some sort of violation of the medical ethics standards for your state. Patients don't ordinarily run into this problem becase the parting physicians have already worked this stuff out. I was once in a not disimilar situation. My pdoc, who owned the practice, was being abandoned by most of the docs and therapists who worked for him because they wanted to set up their own practice. During the time that I was a patient there, I also met with one of the therapists who was part of the group that left. This break-up was pretty acrimonious I believe. Nonetheless, I got a letter from the clinic explaining the break-up and indicationg that if I wanted a copy of my file to go with one of the docs who was leaving I simply needed to sign a consent to the transfer. These are confidential files and the clinic has responsibilities as the custodian of the file. But I also believe there is probably some regulation or statute which obligates them to release them to you or to whomever you want to have them. I have to believe that this blindsided your Doc some. Otherwise he should have had a release ready for you to sign. I would ask him about this - this shouldn't really be your problem to worry about and if its causing you a great deal of distress you should let him know that as well. Ask him if they have to release a copy of the file to him if you sign a release. I'm sure this is information that he should know or have learned as part of his licensing procedure. Let us know how things work out. This a very legitimate issue and you certainly should not be hesitant about ever posting here. K
Posted by pat123 on March 7, 2001, at 14:22:25
In reply to Losing it (very long, I'm sorry), posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 4:24:25
I would add that just because your file are not at the office this does not mean they are not secure.
Pat
Posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 14:58:02
In reply to Re: Losing it (very long, I'm sorry), posted by ChrisK on March 7, 2001, at 6:33:03
> You shouldn't regret posting anything around here. There are abunch of really good people who have been through as much or worse than anyone can imagine.
>Thank you. You don't know how that helped. I feel really alone right now.
> I don't know where you are but here in NY we can fill out a form and request any of our medical records at any time. The doctor (regardless of specialty)is required to produce copies of your medical records within a "reasonable" period of time. You can then do with these records whatever you deem appropriate. If you want to turn them over to DR X that is your business.
>
Yeah, now they say they'll give him copies. I just don't understand why he could have the first chart, but not the second one last week. I mean, because he could have the first one, does that mean (in their distorted eyes) that the first one wasn't their property, but the second one is? I feel they prevented my pdoc from providing me with adequate care, since all of my med history, prescription dates, etc. were in that chart.I feel that this should have been addressed before I got to the office, and since my pdoc had access all of that time, what was the problem with one last time? I'm SO FRUSTRATED!!!!!!
> Again, that is what we can do in NY. I'm not sure that every state has such rules.
>KS, and their statutes and laws are very vague.
> I was able to get hospital records on me from three years ago to file a SSDI claim this way.
>I just don't think it should be that big of an issue since he is the one that created it.
> Hope this helps,
It did, thanks.
> Chris
Posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 15:03:35
In reply to Re: Losing it ..., posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:53:24
I think my pdoc was led to believe that it's a 'legal' issue and not something that was to be worked out with them. But I've heard two different stories (from attorney's) on that and I don't know how to find out the truth.
Any suggestions?
> Kiddo
>
> Have you inquired with your treating doctor's office what they are doing to retreave your file? His secretary should be able to answer your questions probably even better than the doctor. If they are in the process of getting back the files, (this may sound corny) have faith in them that they'll be able to settle it to your satisfaction, kinda like having faith in a higher power. And then imagine the situation resolved. I always use a five year projection when doing this and usually this works. Most things for me which seem like an issue now won't be in five years.
>
> BEST WISHES
> Willow
Posted by Noa on March 7, 2001, at 16:42:34
In reply to Re: Losing it ... » willow, posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 15:03:35
Perhaps the first chart was his property from before the point in time when Dr Y joined his practice. The second chart might be records produced during their partnership, which makes them belong to the corporation.
I agree with what others have said--you can request a copy from Dr. Y.
You can call the licensing board (medical) and ask them what you can do.
But I don't think that Dr. Y or his lawyers would put your records in harms way. They probably are secure, just not accepssible to Dr. X until they settle. However, I believe you should be entitled to an assurance that your records are being held securely and in confidence as expected in your work with Dr. X., and for an explanation of what you can expect to happen in this process. You can write to Dr. Y to request this, request a copy, and request a copy be sent to Dr. X. If they refuse to send to Dr. X, you can write back saying you beleive they are impeding your ability to obtain the care you need, as Dr. X needs the records to treat you.
Posted by Noa on March 7, 2001, at 16:45:01
In reply to Re: Losing it ... » willow, posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 15:03:35
But I doubt they will refuse. This whole thing is just nuisance value --toward the doc, not you, but you get caught in the middle---in the fight for settlement, I think.
I wonder if your doc is just not that savvy about such conflicts, because I *think* what lots of docs do in this type of situation is start copying records after hours as soon as they start planning the break up.
Posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 18:12:41
In reply to Losing it (very long, I'm sorry), posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 4:24:25
"... in the process of separating from his partner Dr Y. "
Do you mean as a patient or spouse?
Noa's advice concerning the medical board is good. Before you call right everything down regarding the scenario. It's easy to forget things.
Also ask who you are speaking to and write down their names, date, and any advice they gave you. I find this helps with follow-ups. I'm up north in Canada. Up here if we get lost in beauracacy (sp?) we get our provincial or federal ministers office to work on our behalf. When your under this much stress it may be better to get someone to advocate on your behalf. Could a state or federal representative do this for you?
Remember it'll get fixed up!
Willow
Posted by kiddo on March 7, 2001, at 19:32:32
In reply to Re: Losing it ...PS, posted by Noa on March 7, 2001, at 16:45:01
> But I doubt they will refuse. This whole thing is just nuisance value --toward the doc, not you, but you get caught in the middle---in the fight for settlement, I think.
I think it's that and the fact I don't trust this guy as far as I could throw him. It just p*ss*s me off that I was treated this way, regardless of who's in the right. You know? I still say he should have been forewarned before I even arrived.
>
> I wonder if your doc is just not that savvy about such conflicts, because I *think* what lots of docs do in this type of situation is start copying records after hours as soon as they start planning the break up.I definitely (sp?) think my pdoc is too trusting. And it was rather sad that he wasn't informed earlier than that very morning, and I was in fact the last patient he saw there. Otherwise, he would have I'm sure.
This is the end of the thread.
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