Patient files

Options
mari65
mari65 Member Posts: 131
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Good Morning,

I was diagnosed with BC in February, sent to a Breast Specialists and while filling out medical history I realized I couldn't tell the BS what the findings were when I had a hysterectomy some 20 years ago when I was 25. I just remember problem pregnancies, miscarriage and never ending bleeding problems. They tried pills and finally asked if I was done having kids and did the hysterctomy but left my ovaries. After that the problem was taken care of but now I would like to know what they found if anything during my surgery. The problem is since then gyno retired years ago and my local doctor doesn't have any of that info. Finally to my question, What happens to files when a doctor retires? would the hospital where I had the surgery have any information??Yes I do know how dumb it was not to get all medical reports from the surgery at the time. I now know better.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • DFC1994
    DFC1994 Member Posts: 163
    edited July 2010

    Hi,I had my hysterectomy in Jan 2000. I was left with one ovary.Had to have that removed in Dec 2009. I had to get the surgery report from my hysterectomy for the surgeon removing my ovary. I called the Hospital where the surgery took place and they had the records.It took a few days to get them because they said older records they were kept off site.So try calling the hospital where your hysterectomy was performed.they should be able to get you a copy of your surgery report.

    Hope this helps.

    Dee

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited July 2010

    I think that would be the way to go, but be prepared: they may not be able to get your records.  I couldn't get a major NCI center to send a copy of my consult to my oncologist.  I tried 5 times in the 2 years after the consult, including 3  tries in person with no results.  They must have lost it.  I was told when having my slide re-read that at my hospital they throw away benign slides after one year.  (They kept my LCIS slides though.) 

    The recommended time for retaining medical records depends on a number of factors, including:

    • State regulations.
    • Medicare and third-party payor requirements.
    • Standards set by accreditation organizations
    • The statute of limitations for bringing medical malpractice claims or other legal action against the healthcare provider.

    The safest approach is to retain medical records for adult patients at least 10 years; longer if the patient was a minor or incompetent at the time of treatment.

    State regulations tend to vary widely, and often depend on how the provider is licensed. Physicians are less likely to be subject to state regulations regarding retention of medical records than hospitals and other institutional providers which usually are governed by specific state licensure requirements. State licensing agencies may impose longer retention periods for X-rays and similar documents than for other types of medical records.

    Under Medicare, the retention periods range from five to seven years, depending on the particular coverage program or type of document. Other third-party payors generally impose similar requirements, although the contractual terms of the agreement may need to be reviewed. The American Hospital Association and American Health Information Management Association both recommend retaining medical records for at least 10 years after a patient's most recent treatment. Longer periods are recommended if the patient received experimental treatment since the records could be needed for future medical research. http://library.findlaw.com/1998/Jan/1/127216.html

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mari65
    mari65 Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2010

    Thank you for the information. I will call this afternoon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories