Records Requests

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

How long does one wait after sending a legal and

proper records request, before filing a complaint for

not getting the records?

Garreth

Eugene

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In this town, I wait a week and recall ... after 2 weeks we ask if we can pick it up. After a month, I call the head of the hospital.

Sunny

Sunny Kierstyn, RN DC Fibromyalgia Care Center of Oregon 2677 Willakenzie Road, 7C

Eugene, Oregon, 97401

541- 344- 0509; Fx; 541- 344- 0955

From: g macdonald <docgumby30@...>oregon dcs < >Subject: Records RequestsDate: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 11:56:03 -0700 (PDT)Hi all,How long does one wait after sending a legal andproper records request, before filing a complaint fornot getting the records?GarrethEugene__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Garreth,

The OBCE sent a notice out to all DCs, also posted it on the listserv on this subject. Since I'm traveling I don't have access to the exact wording of the administrative rule. The nuts and bolts of it is this:

There is a 'recommended' 2 week timeframe to receive records. However, there is exception if the doctor has some reasonable reason for delaying.

IMHO, I'd send the request, wait 2 weeks if you can; ( I know there are some cases that require a phone call and immediate attn.) follow up with a phone call to the Dr office at the end of the 2nd week. Send a written 2nd request sometime towards the end of the 3rd week. Document it all. Notify the office that you'll need to file a complaint or have the patient file it if you haven't received records by the 4th week.

I understand if a doc's office is small, and they're out of town, or staff is sick or something like that. BUT, if a doctor who owns a small business closes to take an extended vacation, they should provide a way for others to get records if they plan on being gone over 2 weeks. When they return to practice, they should put first priority on those records requests. Personally, I'd make an exception to all this if there was grave illness. To a point; we can't expect a patient to wait so long that it hurts their health care needs. That's the hard part about making the call. As professionals we do need to make provisions for our patients in the event of illness, disability or death. As sad as these things are, it should not cause undo harm to the patient.

Minga Guerrero DC

In a message dated 7/21/2006 12:00:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, docgumby30@... writes:

Hi all,How long does one wait after sending a legal andproper records request, before filing a complaint fornot getting the records?GarrethEugene