Is this a common problem? Getting images sent?
So, I'm wondering if my case is the exception, or if we all are dealing with incredibly outdated systems. Did your doctor receive your MRIS, ABUSes, and mammos in a timely manner?
Two weeks ago, I was supposed to have my first meeting with a surgeon who was going to have already seen my films and come up with a plan for me. Unfortunately, when we got there, we were told my images hadn't arrived yet. That was frustrating because I had asked if I needed to do anything and was told, "No, no, they're sending them over to us, don't worry!"
Silly, silly me. I imagined they were sending them electronically. Via one of the many online patient information systems, or some kind of inter-hospital PACS system. Or by, *gasp* email.
No. They Fed-Exed them. And then they sat around a mailroom. They actually technically had arrived in the building before me, I learned later when I asked for the tracking number, but then they sat in the mailroom waiting to be processed for a few days.
And then I found out my MRIs hadn't been included.
So those were requested again.
And we waited, and they never came.
And I called around until I found out Shields allegedly never received the request the second time around, and needed a new req from the doctor.
So I had the doctor send a new stat request, and I said, "I'll go pick them up and drive them over," and was told again, "No, they have to FedEx them."
Best case scenario, by the time my doctor gets them -- if she gets them this time -- and has a chance to review them, it will have been three weeks since I was "supposed" to have a plan in place.
So here I am, sitting around, trying to figure out why our information-sharing is stuck using 90's technology. Who in the heck still burns CDs anymore, besides, evidently, the people who take care of our Very Important Medical Information? I can't imagine that is still necessary. I know kindergarteners who could at least have put that info on a thumb drive and handed it to me. People more familiar with HIPPA and hospital administration than I am, what is the deal? I know there is bureaucracy and I know information systems are expensive and I know not everyone has the same level of technical know-how. But when a patient gives permission to transfer images from location A, shouldn't we be able to do that electronically, and have it show up in location B pretty much immediately? Furthermore, why can I not, via PatientGateway, or MyChart, or PatientPortal, just access my own records and send them over to someone?
Edited to add: LESSON LEARNED. We are not in 2021, and I will just bring my own thumb drive/blank CDs with me to all future appointments!
Comments
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When I changed MO's I had to change hospitals as well. I had to get a copy of my mammograms put on a disc before the new hospital would do a mammogram. It was easy I called then went to pick it up and delivered it. If you didn't change hospitals everything should be online for your doctor to see. My PCP is at my old hospital so I had to give permission for all records to be shared with her and everything was sent electronically. I sent a note through the portal to my new MO and she took care of it. HIPPA makes everything more difficult!! You might have to sign a hard copy form and then your records might be available. Ask the office manager for help. Good luck!
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One thing to try in the future is just to simply ask your imaging place for a disk of whatever test you are getting and then keep them in case you need them. It's not uncommon to have to mail disks of tests to consulting or new doctors. Most imaging places will give you one disk for free, and more for a nominal fee. They don't take long to get at all.
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Hello Saltmarsh,
You absolutely can obtain your images yourself & personally take the disks to your provider. This law was changed as of January 1 of this year: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privac.... In addition, the images can be sent electronically if both EHR systems are compatible. You just have to go to the medical records department of the facility that took the images and they will cut the disk. As of now, a disk is the best way to move images from one site to another. It doesn't take much time at all but I would allow them a day due to internal staffing problems. They do NOT have to be sent via the mail, FedEx or pony express. They can be put in your own hand & you can take them anywhere. If you need to invoke something to get them to move, cite the 21st Century Cures Act.
Jane
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I have many medical issues and I've experienced this a lot!!! It's maddening and such a waste of everyone's time and resources. Soooo unfortunate. It taught me to mail something ahead in case they do get a chance or take the time to review records in advance. I also hand carry the bulk of things, including CD's. I generally ask them to download them while there so I can keep the original. Medical folks still carry on with the idea of sending each other these things though as I 've said that has not actually happened many times so I hand carry the important things.... So sorry you're dealing with all of this...
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My rule: Always pick up in person and hand-carry copies of everything to the appointment, and never trust that records or images will be sent and received, no matter what they tell you.
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I agree. I always get CD copies of a scan, along with a hard copy of any report results. It is a tremendous pain but I just do it.
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