Connect
← Return to The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance?
Discussion
The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance?
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: 20 hours ago | Replies (258)Comment receiving replies
I always tell friends and family to read their files on the patient portal!!! There are often inaccuracies that need to be addressed.
Example: I recently went to local Urgent Care/Emergency Dept because I had a sore throat and deep cough which is dangerous for me given my lung issues. I needed to eliminate causes such flu, Covid, RSVP, Strep etc.
I read their Notes when I got home and was shocked to read that they reported that they had done a physical exam of my lungs, heart, abdomen etc. and all was normal. The notes said they had checked my right and left legs for Edema - I was wearing winter boots all the time!!!
In fact the Dr only looked at my throat!!!
And the summary written about my condition by a "Scribe" just pulled up a bunch of terms from my medical records but leaving out my most critical issues like lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension which is not the same as hypertension!
I obviously called them on it and now have to submit paperwork to change.
Realize that when incorrect health info is entered into your file it continues and is picked up by the next provider. If a provider is making decisions on how to treat you based on incorrect information that could be a problem!
Technology has given medicine a wonderful ability, but it takes time for people to adjust to inputting information, and the right kinds of programs to be developed to provide a clear concise patient profile.
I can't imagine what was going on before computers and Doctor Notes were available!!!!
Replies to "I always tell friends and family to read their files on the patient portal!!! There are..."
@vic83 and all... Amen! I have several times found both from electronic notes, portals, and from written notes I collected from hospital stays, numerous inaccuracies, incomplete notes, and just plain CYA notes from physicians and nurses. Several issues to watch for in this area: medications given, as you mentioned exam inaccuracies often I think, from AI entries, but at times just plain wrong.
I had a heart attack in 2017, was seen at an ER and a EEG was taken, I was diagnosed with a serious UTI, which is legitimate, sent home with no mention at all ever by the physician of any EEG irregularities.
The EEG notes DID indicate a myacardial infarction! I was several months later referred to a cardiologist, for the first time, and at that visit learned I had a heart attack in 2017! I was shocked, but that explained the event I experienced that had to that date not been addressed at all, ever, by anyone. I was stunned. Frustrated. Angry, Concerned. And did I ever learn the lesson to stay on top of the notes and records, electronic and otherwise, from all medical experiences.
This is an important area of concern. Especially now with AI becoming prevalent in medical care. Be your own advocate!
Blessings, Elizabeth
Connect
I've had similar experiences with finding misinformation in my records, and sometimes (not always) it was difficult to get it corrected. Once I looked at my record and it stated that I had thyroid cancer. I was shocked since I was told that I had a benign tumor. Fortunately, it actually was benign. But the incorrect information had been passed between two different hospital systems. So, yes, we do need to check to ensure that the information in our records is accurate.