Organizing Medical Records

[lalalisa]

Hello,

I am hoping to tackle my huge tupperware container of medical records here soon. I am looking for the best way to organize them and make them easy to access, etc.

Do any of you have any systems, tips, or things that have worked for you that you could share with me?

Thanks so much!!

Lisa

[Ernie]

Hi ,

I keep my originals divided: hospital, date

Then I make a photocopy of all the positive tests that prove that I have a physical disorder and carry it in my purse: ie TTT, blood volume, catecholamine results.

Hope this helps.

[Rachel]

I have a folder for each doctor I go to/ have been to. Those folders are organized chronologically. In each of the folders I have my medical records from that doctor in chronological order. So far this has worked very well for me. I've always been able to find what I need. Of course, I've moved so often that each folder is relatively small. If I ever have the same doctor for 10 years I'll have to re-think my organizational system!

Rachel

[EarthMother]

I scan all of my result (as well as keeping the hard copies) and store them on my computer. PDF files are usually searchable -- which makes finding what a need when I need it a snap.

Also, before this year, I never thought about asking for copies of ALL of my tests and records. Figuring that the Doctor of Hospital would keep a copy. But I just found out this month that my TTT from 2003 has gone missing from the Hospital where I had the test performed. On checking it seems neither my Cardiologist or the Hospital has any record of the results at all. They have a record of me checking IN for the procedure ... but nothing on the data collected. Bummer.

[lalalisa]

Thanks for these helpful suggestions! They are inspiring me to get started. =)

Earthmother - that's frustrating about the loss of your TTT records!! I've started requesting my records as well.

Thanks again!

Lisa

[firewatcher]

Lisa,

I started by making a one-ish page chronologic medical history detailing surgeries and major illnesses by year (tonsilectomy, broken arm, menstrual irregularities, births of children, exposure to tuberculosis, etc.) Then I made a condition summary page of what was going on now and current medical findings (supine bradycardia, upright tachycardia, nausea, etc.) I also made a medications page, what I had taken and when, why I stopped, what happened when I took it, and what I am currently on, dosage and why (inderal 20 mg, daily for tremor, etc.) I also had a doctors page with my primary first and then on down to all the specialists including their practice's name, phone and fax numbers. Then I got those little sticky tabs and arranged everything by type (specialist) and then chronological order (BP logs, cardiac test reports, endo labs, etc.) Another sub-section was doctors letters/summaries of findings. I even have a section in my own records of every fax I ever sent any of my eleven docs (I fax them instead of call, that way the question does not get screwed up by the nurse and it becomes a part of my medical file. I can then go back and write in their answers on my copy.) I also made summary pages on my own (hormone test results in order of day of cycle, osmolalities and conditions of tests, CBC and chem panels, kidney function tests, sleep log summaries. These are really helpful instead of digging for each test and then the next.)

Then I made several identical copies (including tabs) and gave one to my primary doc and sent one to Vandy.

Yes, it took a while.

Yes, each one is about 4 inches thick.

[Poohbear]

I am in the process of having someone scan my paper files into pdf format as well but for now, I have large 3 and 4 inch D-ring binders that I hole punch and stick in the binder.

I have a tab for each area of specialty for example: labs, test, EKG's, pacemaker reports, neurology, cardiology, etc.

On the labs and test sections I have an Excel spreadsheet that I keep updating with a list of the test and the date done. I keep all records wiithin each tab as most recent showing first.

[flop]

Things in the UK are rather different as we don't often get copies of any medical records. Some of my doctors send me copies of any letters that they write about me (eg when I see my Neuro he writes to my GP and sends me a copy), some of my doctors write directly to me with test results (I have started asking to be informed of results by post rather than waiting months til the next appointment).

With one hospital, that I have had a lot of treatment at, I paid for a photocopy of my entire case-file (warning - asking for this copy really upset my cardio when all I wanted was to be able to look at all my own results etc).

I keep records sorted as to what type of document it is:

biochemistry (blood and urine) tests

microbiology tests (urine, swabs, bloods)

ECGs

X-ray and scan reports

Print-outs of TTT reports

copies of hospital hand-written case notes

letters to me

letters to other doctors about me

my own notes written during/after consultations (I make a list of questions to ask the doctor then write the answers alongside as they explain things - otherwise I would forget everything!).

within each type of document everything is in chronological order.

Flop