Get a hold of your personal medical records

In our past two columns, we’ve reviewed the benefits and process for obtaining and keeping track of your medical records. While it may be a bit like pulling hen’s teeth, you’ll be glad you took the time when you find yourself with a health challenge later that requires easy access to those records.

In the process of obtaining past medical records, you may learn that your doctor is no longer in practice due to retirement, sale of the practice or some other reason. That may make getting a hold of your records more of a challenge, but often it’s simply a matter of locating them.

Remember that by law, most doctors are required to keep your records for only six years. Some specialists must keep them longer, but don’t be surprised if records older than that are not available.

If your doctor is no longer in practice, start with the idea that another doctor may have purchased his practice. If you have the old office phone number or address, try to contact them to see they still have your records, or if they know where they may be stored.

If you can’t locate anyone else with the information, contact the local Medical Society. You can find their phone number in the phone book. They keep information about records location for practices that have closed, and often they can steer you in the right direction. Once you’ve pulled your records together, consider how you want to store them. From a simple paper filing system, to keeping track electronically, choose a system that makes sense for you.

In particular if you travel, consider an internet-based or other electronic system which can provide all your medical information if you aren’t at home. Called PHRs (Personal Health Records), most systems require us patients to input our own information, using scans, faxes, or just keying them in. In the future, these systems will accept input by doctors, too. More information about kinds of storage, considerations and electronic resources can be found at www.diagKNOWsis.org/phr.htm.

Finally, once you’ve pulled all your information together, share it with your loved ones so they know where your records are and how to access them. Don’t forget, too, that family history and caretaking needs mean that one day your children and grandchildren will be very interested in the work you have done. Your efforts now will be a gift to them in the future.

(This is part 3 of 3.  Link here to part 1 or part 2.)

©  2006 Trisha Torrey

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