>In message <[log in to unmask]>,
>[log in to unmask] writes
>>In a message dated 07/07/96 08:04:19, you write:
>>
>>>Does this bring us back to a previous thread?
>>>How much do we need cradle to grave records?
>>>Mary
>>>PS If your records are destroyed,it solves a lot of confidentiality
>>>problems!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>At a meeting this weekend [in Dublin ;-)))))))] a lawyer admitted that not
>>having the notes made it more difficult for a patient to sucessfully put a
>>case unless it was very obviously negligent and that the numbers of missing
>>hospital notes was more than one would expect by chance. Do cradle to grave
>>records solve more problems than they create (or the other way round)?
>>
>Which system was the lawyer working in? If it was England and Wales, it
>gives food for thought..
>Mary
A few comments from litigation central (also known as the USA): What's
important is what's in the records. If they are informative,
non-judgemental, accurate, and readable, then they can prevent litigation.
There are a number of times that my records have prevented former patients
(or their widows/widower) from suing. For example, the 38 year old woman
who died of stomach cancer. My records documented many times that I wanted
her to have upper endoscopy to better evaluate her abdominal pain, but she
refused. Her records were sent to a lawyer, but that was the end of it.
There have been other cases with the same results.
I include many warnings, precautions, etc. in my records to prove that I
have warned the patients of the dire consequences of not having tests, the
risks of medicines, etc. Some call me paranoid, but it helps me sleep
better at night. (Another factor that helps me sleep better is that my
house and cars are in my wife's name.)
Rich Sagall, M.D.
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|Rich Sagall, MD ([log in to unmask]) |
|Publisher of Interesting! and Pediatrics for Parents
|Email me for more information and sample copy |
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