Medical Records

The American First Lady who famously founded an alcohol abuse treatment center was Betty Ford. Many famous people have been treated at the Betty Ford Center over the years.

Myofascial pain syndrome (729.1)

Retrostenal pain refers to pain that is in the middle of the front of the chest. Since both the heart and esophagus are in this area, the pain is often associated with acid reflux and called heartburn, but usually has nothing to do with the heart. If you are also experiencing breathing difficulties, sweating, of radiating pain, then you may be having a heart attack. In any case, if you are concerned, call 911.

If the records are requested by your new Medical office, they should not charge you for them.. If you are picking them up.. normally they charge a fee and something like one dollar per page. If you can, have your new Doctor request the records. They should not charge for that.

No, they are not. HIPAA allows for healthcare providers to share your records as part of treating you. You can stop this, or limit this so that you must okay data transfer, or allow it to proceed. It's entirely up to you. However, caregivers that aren't involved in your healthcare have no more right to access your medical record than I do -- no right at all.

If you're unable to offer an answer about sharing your records -- unconscious or such -- then the records will be shared, but only to caregivers who are actively treating you.

A caregiver acquiring records for a patient they aren't actively treating is acting in contravention of the law.

is the spouse has given promission in writen form

Each state sets their own requirements. Typically, it's 5-7 years after the patient's last exam, or until the patient turns 18 or 21, whichever is longer.

The below answer is incorrect. The below is the Federal Rule for medical records (and most states have their own rules, many being around 3 years) - billing is not considered part of the medical record, this is specifically stated in both Federal and State rules. There is not a requirement for retaining billing information, most practices do not keep copies of billing information more than 90 days.

Seven years for adults, and childrens' charts need to be kept until they are twenty one. Although many offices have switched them over to an image on their hard drive in order to save space. Some saves your data in back up servers. But, wherever you may have any kind of medical record, be sure that you have your own records kept for yourself too.

In the hospital hiring manual, there is a series of "codes" which may be used on the loudspeaker (usually.) The codes are red, yellow, orange, green, blue, grey, silver, pink, purple, etc...

Code Yellow is very bad, since it means 'Bomb threat,' since evacuations are especially problematic in hospital.

Code Orange means toxic spill, Code red means fire, and there are specifics for whether to evacuate, or help rescue.

Code Grey means someone is brandishing a knife, and the usual protocol is for the staff to come this way, since a person with a knife looses confidence when surrounded.

Code Silver, however, means go away form this, since someone has a gun.

Code Pink means someone has kidnapped a baby. And Code purple I think is similar but an older kid.

Finally, Code Blue means a persons heart has stopped and needs life support measures.

Therefore, although I am only guessing, I think that when we hear the term "coding", it is a linguistic offshoot/ nickname of the original term "Code Blue."

First - The AMA does not have anything to do with reporting a doctor regarding

conduct etc. The AMA is an organization, which allows doctors (if they choose so) to

become members of their (AMA) organization. The AMA then delivers medical data regarding the medical industry.

If you want to report a doctor regarding misconduct, the best thing to do is contact

your state medical board (http://www.mdnationwide.org/choose_a_doctor.htm) by

writing a detailed, nice, professional "Registered or Certified Letter" regarding your

situation.

Addison's disease is a disorder involving disrupted functioning of the part of the adrenal gland called the cortex. This results in decreased production of two important chemicals (hormones) normally released by the adrenal cortex: cortisol and aldosterone.

10 YEARS

Yes, pursuant to Health & Safety Code section 123110, a doctor can charge 25 cents per page plus a reasonable clerical fee. For diagnostic films, such as an x-ray, MRI, CT and PET scans, you can be charged the actual cost of copying the films. This only applies if you have made a written request for a copy of your medical records to be provided to you.

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If you meant 'paper' records as opposed to electronic records - The main reason is that computers are always under attack from hackers. Paper records held in a locked filing cabinet, inside a secure building are much more secure than electronic records stored on a computer connected to the internet !

It's certainly easier to keep medical records on-site for active patients. There are no regulations, however, about where medical records must be kept as long as they are secure.

A message about the ethical and legal issues concerning patient records from Dr. Edward Rosenfeld, CDA Ethics Committee Chair There seems to be a lot of confusion about patient records. It is important to understand these issues since they involve not only ethical concerns but also the Dental Practice Law of the State of Colorado. This article will cover situations such as how and when a patient is entitled to their records, what other entities are entitled to those records, confidentiality concerns, and how long to keep inactive records. The American Dental Association Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct states that dentists, "are obligated to safeguard the confidentiality of patient records. Dentists shall maintain patient records in a manner consistent with the protection of the welfare of the patient. Upon request of a patient or another practitioner, dentists shall provide any information in accordance with applicable law that will be beneficial for the future treatment of that patient." This means that a dentist need not gain the permission of a patient to discuss the records with another treating dentist unless the information includes health information of a sensitive nature such as HIV status, treatment for chemical dependency or mental illness. The Dental Practice Law, 25-1-802 states that records, "shall be available to the patient upon submission of a written authorization-request for inspection of records, dated and signed by the patient, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice". The "patient record" does not include doctor's office notes unrelated to treatment plan, radiographic interpretation, diagnosis or treatment. All of the aforementioned items are considered part of the patient record. A reasonable cost of obtaining a copy shall not exceed $12 for the first ten or fewer pages and $0.25 per page for every additional page. Postage may be charged if the copy is to be mailed. A reasonable cost for duplicating radiographs is $25. Practitioners are strongly encouraged to keep the originals of any records and release only copies to patients. The State Board of Dental Examiners may request originals during the course of an ongoing investigation. The patient or his representative may not be charged merely to inspect the records but a signed release should still be obtained. Also, a request for patient records may not be refused if a patient has an outstanding balance for treatment but records may be withheld for lack of a reasonable payment for their duplication. Occasionally a standing committee of the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society or the Colorado Dental Association, such as Peer Review or Ethics, may request copies of patient records as part of an ongoing investigation. It is unethical to refuse such a request. How long should records be kept after a patient becomes inactive? State Board Rule XXIII states that records for adult patients should be kept for a minimum of seven (7) years after the last date of dental treatment or examination. Records for minors should be kept for a minimum of seven (7) years after the patient reaches the age of majority (age 18). Keep in mind that the statute of limitations runs from the date of discovery of a problem not previously disclosed so certain records should be kept indefinitely. That is why, from a liability standpoint, it is important to discuss all "misadventures" such as separated endodontic instruments with the patient and fully document such events and the discussion in the patient's chart. Once the decision is made to destroy records, the Board Rules specify that written notice to the patient's last known address, or by publication (legal notice), must be made sixty (60) days prior to destruction. Actual destruction cannot take place until a 30-day period has elapsed wherein the patient may claim the records at no charge. Notice by publication may be accomplished by publishing in a major newspaper one day per week for four (4) consecutive weeks. Be sure to keep the receipt from the newspaper and a copy of the notice. This is one of a series of articles and communications to educate MDDS members on the importance of following not only the State Dental Board rules but also the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. The CDA mailed a letter to all its members on the subject of advertising unearned degrees and the proper way to list such degrees and courses. If a member of the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society is found to be in violation of the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and refuses to rectify the problem, then that member, after a proper hearing may be found to no longer be "in good standing" with MDDS and CDA. This situation could have the unintended consequence of the inability to participate in dental society programs such as the Dentists Professional Liability Insurance Trust. If uncertain about whether any treatment or action is in conflict with the Dental Practice Law or the ADA Code of Ethics, contact the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners at (303) 894-7800 or any branch of organized dentistry.

A physician does not have the right to withhold a patient's medical records if he has an outstanding balance. This is a law in most states in the United States.

Yes -- HIPAA allows a patient to see their own medical record, with very few exceptions. * They may not demand Psychotherapy Notes * They may not demand material being specifically prepared for an anticipated legal defense by the Covered Entity (but they can still see their charts and such). * The CE may withold record that records the name of someone who has contributed to the patient chart and may be endangered (typically by the patient) if their name is revealed. * The CE may attempt to withold PHI if they have strong reason to believe this would incite an assault on someone listed in the record. * The CE cannot release the patient's PHI if the patient is a convicted inmate in a correctional facility. Or in the military. All you have to do is inform the Covered Entity in writing that you wish disclosure of your entire designated record set en toto. The CE is entitled to charge a nominal fee to recompense them for the effort of copying the record, but this fee cannot be so high as to restrict the patient's access to their records. The CE is allowed a reasonable amount of time to prepare the copies. 30 days is usually the number now. CE's are required by law to provide the patient with a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that describes the exact procedure the CE wants the patient to follow in order to get a copy of their record. This however doesn't in any way abrogate the patient's rights, so an NPP that said the CE would provide copies in a year wouild be overturned by a complaint. The NPP must by law contain the procedure to fiile complaints. Refer to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil RIghts in Washington, D.C. for more data on this.

To anyone from whom you are collecting information that will be put in a system of records

Anything less than 24 hours would be a miracle. It basically depends on how busy the centre holding the record is at the time, and how important your request is perceived to be. You should expect to wait a few days from fillling the request to receipt of records; a week at most.

Added: (in the US) In addition to the above - it may also depend on WHO it is that is requesting to see the medical record. Unless previously granted access by the patient themselves, the HIPAA Act prohibits access to anyone else's medical records except by court order.

If you have POA ( power of attorney) all you have to do is go to the facility and request this information. If it's the hospital you can go to or call the medical records department. If it is the MD office you can request this information as well, either by phone or in person. I wanted the same information and being in the medical profession I was able to obtain it in a few days without any problems. I hope this is a help to you. God bless.

POAs are extinguished at death. A decedent's personal representative (executor/executrix) if there is a Will and an estate is set up will be issued Letters Testamentary. Letters Testamentary give the personal representative the same power to obtain information as would a POA. If the decedent had no will, an Administration may be set up to handle legal matters etc distribution of assets, etc. If an Administration is set up the court will issue Letters of Administration which serve the same function as Letters Testamentary. If there is no will or an Estate is not opened, most providers will release the information to the next of kin (spouse or son or daughter). If the provider refuses, seek a court order. God Bless