I’d like to emphasize the importance of always getting a copy of your lab and test results every time, no matter what the health issue, even if the results are not indicative of any problems or were part of a routine physical.

There are several good reasons to have your own copies, including being able to catch errors or detect trends over time (many physicians don’t have time to look in depth or far into your past).

When I ordered copies of my lab records and doctor consults for the decade that I had been seen at our local HMO network, I found 3 other people’s lab results in my file and one other person’s doctor consult notes. This is several serious mistakes that shouldn’t happen that frequently or repeatedly. In one case I wasn’t surprise, as the doctor I saw that day (for the first time) thought I was going to be a patient he has already seen that day when he entered the examining room. He set the wrong folder down and proceeded with the consult/exam, but still the filing error occurred. I have no clue how the other errors happened years before; one patient was even the opposite gender.

Errors do happen, and it is possible for critical medical mistakes to occur if no one notices. The Medical Records department took this situation very seriously and scrutinized my records for other errors, as well as the other peoples’ files (to be sure my records weren’t mistakenly filed in their files). I was told to ALWAYS get a copy, it was my right and responsibility, and if that there should be no resistance from a physician or the staff. It is reasonable that there might be a small charge for copying. I paid about $45 (25 cents a page) for 10 years’ worth of records – I have a very thick file (I think) with two rounds of infertility investigation, one pregnancy with gestational diabetes, plus the usual checkups and misc health issues, so it’s a thick file; I only copied test results and consult notes).

I now keep my personal file up-to-date by asking at every appt for a copy of results if one is isn’t offered (many doctors offer a copy already). I would not go to a doctor who wouldn’t provide a copy of test results. I try to make it easier on the staff mby either asking right away for a copy at the appt or providing a stamped self-addressed envelope or my fax number. If I don’t receive a mailed copy if I made a phone request, I follow up with a call (this slip-up happens a lot). Consult notes can be requested with a medical release form submitted to the records dept. or staff; it doesn’t have to go via the doctor. I submit a medical release request to Medical Records for all consults once or twice a year to stay up-to-date. It’s sometimes interesting to see the doctor’s interpretation of the appt vs. the patient’s interpretation, .

Accidental damage CAN happen to the paper file, and not all records are computerized (esp in the US – though there is a current push to 100% electronic records, but that means mistakes could be duplicated on multiple national network systems and perhaps very difficult to correct or detect in a worst case scenario). Transport vehicles between clinic facilities can have mishaps (fires, etc.). Water and environmental damage can occur. Transcriptionists can make mistakes in physician’s writing or recorded speech.

Additionally, a personal file is convenient if visiting an out-of-network doctor, while traveling, or when relocating. Sometimes an urgent medical need doesn’t allow enough time for transport of a physical file and computer records may be incomplete, so bringin along a personal file might be crucial.

The Medical Records supervisor who encouraged me to start my own personal file for each member of the family also told me about a great medical records tool to keep things organized, published by Dr. Marie Savage (available at Amazon and other booksellers). It’s a 3 ring binder format. There are numerous other systems available, too, even phone, PDA, and computer apps.