Medical Record

Medical history isn't a Connecticut thing it's a FEDERAL thing. That is why we sign all those HIPPAA papers when we go to the doctor. They are not by law allowed to release information on anyone elses medical history. I would call Richard Blumenthal's (the state atterney general) office and discuss with them what happened. They can get in major trouble for this. As a matter of fact these laws are so strict, I can't even get my husbands medical history or information if I call his doctor's offices, only if I had power of atterney over him.

Hi C., I am not sure about the CT. privacy laws but in NJ they could get in a lot of trouble for giving you the other child's medical records. I work in a psychology office and we have to be extremely strict even to the point where we cant' leave a patient's file out on our desk because another patient may see it and see the name on it. Beyond that, the level of care they gave your son is preposterous! You should at the very least file a complaint against them with your insurance co. I'm glad you found another pedi before your child's condition worsened. It's so important to feel comfortable with your dr. Don't ever let them make you feel as if you're overreacting. Any good dr. (or just generally smart person) knows that a mother knows when her child is sick and needs medical attention. You did the right thing. I hope that pediatrician does get some sort of punishment so they will at least think twice before dismissing another sick child. I wish you luck and I hope your little boy is feeling better. Jen L.

If you read my comment on someone else's favorite, I am the one that left the nasty review of the ob/gyn that almost killed me and altered the records. There is also a record of him killing mother and baby and getting rid of records with NYS. I'm not sure about CT law but in NYS you can report the Dr. or facility or both to the office of professional dicipline through the department of health. I would try there first. I know the Hippa regulations are the same as in NYS. Make sure you report it soon. In NY you have 2 1/2 years to sue for medical malpractice, I think you should also talk to an attorney. It's not about the money. The only way to stop bad doctors is by getting enough hits on their malpractice insurance to make it hurt. It gets harder and more expensive for them to get coverage. In NY as long as the child is under 12 you can sign for the records. At 12 and up the child must sign for you to see them in case the child is sexually active and trying to obtain treatment for a STD or prevent pregnancy.

I wish you the best of luck.

Kim

I strongly suggest you contact the Department of Health Services in your state IMMEDIATELY. This is a violation of HIPAA laws, and plus, this doctor's office needs to be investigated for the treatment your child got, sounds like he should have his license revoked. The direct complaints line for the Connecticut Department of Public Health is (800) 842-0038. If this doesn't get you anywhere, try ###-###-#### (Healthcare Facility Complaints).

Here's the page I found the information on: http://www.dph.state.ct.us/contactus/contacts.htm

Good luck, and don't let this happen to another child!!

I would contact the pediatric centers administration and let them know what was happening. There is something called HIPPA and what they have done is a violation of that law. HIPPA is governed federally not by state. Thats why even now in elevators at hospitals or medical centers you will see signs warning that patient info is private and should never be discussed in public areas. The fact that the medical record was partly that of another child is another issue that should be looked into, exspecially if the decision for your chlds treatment was being based of the history of of a med. record that wasnt even your childs. These days Dr.'s offices are getting soooo over crowded with patients that they rush through seeing patients and sometimes miss a diagnosis. Thankfully you did the right thing and did what every parent has a right and should do when they disagree with a diagnose, get a second opinion. Its a sad thing that your son almost had to pay the price for another persons negligence. I hope your son is doing well, I would definatly look into it and see that something is done if not for your own child but for the next. be your childs advocate. Just because they are small doesnt mean they shouldnt have a voice. I hope everything works out for you and your son continues in good health.

Hi Cheryl
I would take a couple hours off work in the AM and go to the pediatric office and show them what they did and say you are not leaving without the correct files. It was irresponsible of them to release a file that wasn't complete and to release another child's records to you. 2nd, there is no way it should have taken 15 days for them to release files..again irresponsible. I would also seek legal counsel and speak to them about what happened. document everything. You may think you will remember but you won't. If you need a fantastic pediatrician in Norwalk I have a great practice for you.
Good luck and let me know
B.

Dear C.,

Wow! To think you almost lost your baby - and not for lack of attempting to get him medical attention not once but multiple times. I just read a similar story in the paper regarding a newborn in NJ - The parents were not as lucky and they did lose thier precious baby. There are going to be investigations in NJ this summer, Ex Governor Codey is now the state Senator leader and he is heading the hearings here in NJ.
I hope your experience is isolated- although based upon your story it seems as if the practices at that pediatric office are so severe (mixing Charts-Ignoring symptoms) that other children are at risk. I know it is hard being busy with work and a two year old (possibly still recovering from a major hit to thier system) first thing to do is to take care of and continue to concentrate on your own child's health.
Regarding the big picture- when you have time and energy,
You need to keep doing what you are doing and make sure the authorites in Conn. know your story. Go online and look for the state of Conn. Website and look for info you need.
I have been an advocate for health care issues in NJ for a long time and you can call me if you would like to brain storm some ideas-or you just need some cheering on. I live in NJ - ###-###-####
Make a list of possible agencies/licensing boards that have jurisdiction and then proceed to notify them. You also could go to the newspapers/media and see if they will do an investigative report.
Hang in there.

C.,

I am a nursing student as well as a mother of 5 and have definitely had my share of idiot doctors. If I were you I would contact a lawyer first and then call the state of CT medical licencing department and do a search for HIPPA and contact them. Also CT has a medical board that you can file a written complaint with, although they comprise of area doctors and you may not get far with them, but it is worth a try. I certainly hope you made copies of the records (your son's and the other child's) before you gave them back to that pediatrician, so at least you have something to back your complaint. Whatever you do do not let this go, God forbid you had not done something, your son could have had serious problems and if you don't take a stand they will get away with doing this again and the next time a child could pass away. By the way, did they end up sending you the rest of your son's medical records?
Let me know how you make out or if I can be of any further help.
Hug,
T.

Everyone is SO sue happy. That is the problem with New Englanders. My brother lives out west and lawsuits are not nearly as popular there as they are here. Yes, you had a terrible experience with your pediatrician. But, they arent perfect. And as parents we are ultimately responsible for our children's care. If your sons lips were dry and you thought he was dehydrated, why not take him to the ER?? As parents we have instincts and we know our children best. I dont care what the doctors say, I know what is best for my babies. They are there to monitor their growth, and provide insight when our children are sick. But, as parents we need to listen to our instincts, and make the final decisions.
As far as the paperwork goes, yes the office made a terrible mistake. People do make mistakes. Thankfully, you received the info, and not someone looking to steal their identities. I think it would be wise to contact the parents of the child, and then give back the paperwork to the office. If no harm is done, I cant see the other family having a leg to stand on in court.

Cheryl
Hi, you have sooo many responses saying just about all the same thing. YES, there is HIPPA and here is a link http://hippa.eu/
you should be able to find what you want somewhere in that link. and i would definitely go to a lawyer. talk to this new pediatrician and see if they'll testify in court that you almost lost your child because of not gettin the proper treatment (even though you tried countless times). even if you didn't need the money (which everyone with a child could use it, even for a trust fund for their child) that dr. office should definitely be held accountable for what they did (or refused to do) for/to your child. because of them, you could have lost him! and for them to send you the wrong info...who knows where your child's info has gone to? i'm glad to hear that your son is doing better, but definitely make them pay for what they've done, and how they've neglected they're responsibility! they should lose their right to practice medicine in the least! i wish you and our son the best.

i am sooooo sorry that all this has happened to you.you have so much to deal with and now that you sound alot calmer then i would be.well anyway i dont know the law but i would be calling the other parent and calling and calling i dont think they have any clue that all this is going on....i mean im sure you could contact leagal aid....and maybe the medical board???i live in dutchess count and in our phone book we have something under the county offices called office of the commissioner of health..and/or human rights....maybe you have something similiar in your phone book???well good luck and please let me know.....and im again im sorry that you had to go through that i hope that your son i doing better now that a good docs got him...good luck again.....
A.

I am so sorry that you had to go through that. What you need to do is contact the NJ board of pediatric medicine and write them the entire story. I had a similar experience. About four years ago I noticed that my sons back was starting to bow a little. His father has sever scholiosis (sorry about the spelling) so I rushed him to the doctor. She said that he was fine and that I had nothing to worry about. Three months later she abandoned her practice and moved to Florida. We got to stay with her covering doctor, who has been a Gods send as far as I'm concerned, and at his first visit, he read off to me that in my sons chart it stated that he has slight curvature of the back. We rushed him to a specialist and he is fine, but she knew about this for three years. She was horrible and when I tried to report her I found out that her license had been suspended for over a year. I was horrified. The only good thing that came out of this was that my new doctor, her covering doc, is amazing and very very thourough. You are his mother, always trust your insticts and believe what you see. That's what our pediatrician tells me all the time and I'm usually right. keep the faith and hold on, you'll be okay.

hi.. I don't know the law much either..... Contact your local health dept and send it in writing...... Also start calling attorneys in your area and see if you can sue that place....

It's worth a try.

Good luck

Hi C.! I am so sorry to hear about what happened to your child. That is a damn shame and the fact that they gave you someone else's medical records is illegal. It goes against HIPPA laws(you know that form you are supposed to fill out when you go to the doctor) and they could get in serious trouble. If you want I can find out a number for HIPPA and you can report them. I work in a doctor's office and could ask a manager. Let me know. Good luck with the new doctor because good doctor's are hard to come by!