topic Re: Accessing dr records online in Community Chat

Accessing dr records online

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 17:49:49 GMT

I can now access my dr records online. Just had a bunch of blood work done and most of the results are up already. It will also tell you if a number is high or low. My kidney function is down, but checking past records that's pretty normal. Wondering why no one has ever addressed it with me. I'll talk to my dr about that. On another note, scheduled my carotid artery scan for early August. Strokes run in my family. Had Life Screening tests done several years ago and they noticed a small amount of blockage in my left carotid. Also had dr order a Cologuard kit sent to me as I found out my Medicare Advantage pays for that. Canceled my dexa scan. Had one a few years ago and had no problems. Can't see paying for something I don't need.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 17:58:31 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I can now access my dr records online. Just had a bunch of blood work done and most of the results are up already. It will also tell you if a number is high or low. My kidney function is down, but checking past records that's pretty normal. Wondering why no one has ever addressed it with me. I'll talk to my dr about that. On another note, scheduled my carotid artery scan for early August. Strokes run in my family. Had Life Screening tests done several years ago and they noticed a small amount of blockage in my left carotid. Also had dr order a Cologuard kit sent to me as I found out my Medicare Advantage pays for that. Canceled my dexa scan. Had one a few years ago and had no problems. Can't see paying for something I don't need.

@hoosieroriginal

It's been my experience with blood test results that if something is in the "normal range" they tend to let it go, even if it's "low normal". If your previous tests also show that, then there's been no significant change, and nothing to be alarmed about. I think.

Personally, I tend to then ask what I can do differently .... like when my Vitamin D was low, I started a supplement, just because.

Re: Accessing dr records online

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:03:50 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I can now access my dr records online. Just had a bunch of blood work done and most of the results are up already. It will also tell you if a number is high or low. My kidney function is down, but checking past records that's pretty normal. Wondering why no one has ever addressed it with me. I'll talk to my dr about that. On another note, scheduled my carotid artery scan for early August. Strokes run in my family. Had Life Screening tests done several years ago and they noticed a small amount of blockage in my left carotid. Also had dr order a Cologuard kit sent to me as I found out my Medicare Advantage pays for that. Canceled my dexa scan. Had one a few years ago and had no problems. Can't see paying for something I don't need.
@hoosieroriginal

It's been my experience with blood test results that if something is in the "normal range" they tend to let it go, even if it's "low normal". If your previous tests also show that, then there's been no significant change, and nothing to be alarmed about. I think.

Personally, I tend to then ask what I can do differently .... like when my Vitamin D was low, I started a supplement, just because.

@Tinkrbl44 - that's what I'm thinking. I also ordered for the first time my Vitamin D levels checked (results not in yet) - I think everyone should have theirs checked. I take Vitamin D along with a regular vitamin and walk outside a lot, so hoping it shows I am well within limits.

Re: Accessing dr records online

gizmogal — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:10:06 GMT

I envy you. My doc doesn't even have email to reach out for something easy like an Rx renewal. No labs to view online. Gotta call. So I don't get to see my lab results unless I call and he will read them out or fax a copy. Fax, how quaint! Love the doc I use, but wish there was more technology for communication and easy continuity to see lab results.

I used Cologuard for my colon screening, per my doctor's suggestion. I've had one colonoscopy in my life and it was enough. I had no family history or other implications, so the no-prep, non-invasive Cologuard was a good method, covered by regular Medicare and my supplemental plan. Cologuard was very easy. Not complicated, not unpleasant for more than a moment when you add a chemical to the sample and then seal it closed. Turnaround was very speedy. I took the prepaid package to Staples for the UPS pickup. I had a call from my doctor with good results in a week.

Good to know you're healthy. Keep it up!

Re: Accessing dr records online

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:13:54 GMT

@gizmogal wrote:
I envy you. My doc doesn't even have email to reach out for something easy like an Rx renewal. No labs to view online. Gotta call. So I don't get to see my lab results unless I call and he will read them out or fax a copy. Fax, how quaint! Love the doc I use, but wish there was more technology for communication and easy continuity to see lab results.

I used Cologuard for my colon screening, per my doctor's suggestion. I've had one colonoscopy in my life and it was enough. I had no family history or other implications, so the no-prep, non-invasive Cologuard was a good method, covered by regular Medicare and my supplemental plan. Cologuard was very easy. Not complicated, not unpleasant for more than a moment when you add a chemical to the sample and then seal it closed. Turnaround was very speedy. I took the prepaid package to Staples for the UPS pickup. I had a call from my doctor with good results in a week.

Good to know you're healthy. Keep it up!

@gizmogal - I haven't had a colonoscopy and really don't want to go through that. My dr. is okay with it.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Shanus — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:34:20 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I can now access my dr records online. Just had a bunch of blood work done and most of the results are up already. It will also tell you if a number is high or low. My kidney function is down, but checking past records that's pretty normal. Wondering why no one has ever addressed it with me. I'll talk to my dr about that. On another note, scheduled my carotid artery scan for early August. Strokes run in my family. Had Life Screening tests done several years ago and they noticed a small amount of blockage in my left carotid. Also had dr order a Cologuard kit sent to me as I found out my Medicare Advantage pays for that. Canceled my dexa scan. Had one a few years ago and had no problems. Can't see paying for something I don't need.

I can obtain my lab results online as well message my doc and request RXs.

While visiting my Mom last time, she signed permission papers for me to set up a "My Chart" for her in her name so that I can ck. her results and also make sure she's going to her appointments. All the docs send in their reports to her PCP & I log in there.

Re: Accessing dr records online

software — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 19:39:07 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I can now access my dr records online. Just had a bunch of blood work done and most of the results are up already. It will also tell you if a number is high or low. My kidney function is down, but checking past records that's pretty normal. Wondering why no one has ever addressed it with me. I'll talk to my dr about that. On another note, scheduled my carotid artery scan for early August. Strokes run in my family. Had Life Screening tests done several years ago and they noticed a small amount of blockage in my left carotid. Also had dr order a Cologuard kit sent to me as I found out my Medicare Advantage pays for that. Canceled my dexa scan. Had one a few years ago and had no problems. Can't see paying for something I don't need.

Probably wouldn't hurt to have a urologist check you out with the kidney stuff.

There are other simple tests that can be performed to narrow down a problem if there is one. Chances are you are A-OK!

My doctor calls me with results before I get home!

Sometimes he'll ask me if I can stay until he gets results back, which is fairly quick-- usually less than an hour. All my doctors and specialists are linked by computer. Any one of them can see what the other has done as well as results. Saves time. I don't have to keep track of what test was done on what day.

Glad you are doing so well.

Re: Accessing dr records online

game-on — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:14:46 GMT

@hoosieroriginal....what I like about online info about my medical health is it helps me feel more in control of my own health care and like I am a partner with my dr./health care professionals.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Plaid Pants2 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:24:57 GMT

I am 100% all for being able to access our own medical records on line. It helps us to work in conjunction with our doctors in our health.

It is the times that we are living in. Everything is digital today.

But does anybody worry about files being hacked?

Re: Accessing dr records online

chlema — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:50:57 GMT

@gizmogal I now do have access to my records online but before that I always asked the lab to send me a copy of my results, which they always did. Perhaps your lab will also do this.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Cakers3 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:48:19 GMT

I also have records online but our PCP still calls us after hours (or one of his PAs) to let us know how things turned out. Our results are not posted overnight so a call about such things as a mammogram or a PSA for DH is appreciated.

It's another new world, isn't it.

Re: Accessing dr records online

ROMARY — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:00:56 GMT

Since my Internet and Email isn't very reliable (out for hours, and email previously out for several days), I have everything mailed to me. I just can't rely on anything unless it's on paper. Oh, well. I'm happy that way.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Moonchilde — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 02:26:18 GMT

My doctors in LA sent me everything online, including NV (Normal Values) and their notes. Usually got them in about 3 days.

Current practice they send me what they feel like sending, and I can't contact them online :-(

Re: Accessing dr records online

GCR18 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 02:35:47 GMT

All my drs work for the same hospital. The hospital got the patient portal about three years. I love it. When I had cancer two years ago, I had weekly blood tests and regular appt with three Drs. I could review the tests at home and write a list of questions to bring to Drs appt. If I didn't have that info, I likely wouldn't have had many questions and understood things like I did. I could also watch billing. I saw bills not paid, followed up with the insurance company and had everything straightened out.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:42:33 GMT

I cannot access all of my medical records but all of my labs and test results, including mammogram results, are always released to My Chart once they are reviewed by my doctor.

If there is a problem, my doctor contacts me first and then releases the results, so I'm not seeing something bad before she's had a chance to speak to me.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:47:53 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 and just what would they do with that info?

Re: Accessing dr records online

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 15:05:31 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 and just what would they do with that info?

Identity theft, for one thing.

Re: Accessing dr records online

excpa — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 19:59:18 GMT

My last doctor had patient portal. That's when I discovered just how sloppy his work was and one of the reasons I stopped seeing him. The history section was filled with incorrect information, the blood work was not up-to-date and he even had my marital status as "unknown". And he had me fill out a 6 page questionaire before each visit.

Re: Accessing dr records online

tansy — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 20:03:43 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
@Imaoldhippie wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 and just what would they do with that info?

Identity theft, for one thing.

Same thing can happen with chart notes or whatever. There was a case maybe 15 years ago where patient charts were just thrown into a dumpster.

Re: Accessing dr records online

Teddie — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:38:13 GMT

@excpa wrote:
My last doctor had patient portal. That's when I discovered just how sloppy his work was and one of the reasons I stopped seeing him. The history section was filled with incorrect information, the blood work was not up-to-date and he even had my marital status as "unknown". And he had me fill out a 6 page questionaire before each visit.

That sounds like my situation. The portal has so much incorrect information, it's not even funny. It's as if someone went in there and just filled out random info. There are vitamins listed with amounts that I'm supposedly taking that are quite incorrect. It says I had a flu shot when I've never had one. Just a few examples. I mentioned it to the nurse last time I was in and she brushed it off and said "That's okay."

Im going to have to contact the office because I haven't received the last lab tests, and I told them before that I like copies of those because I look at them and compare. I want to know what they say.

And like you, @excpa, I have to fill out the paperwork so many times -- as if I'm a new patient all over again. It's not a pleasant experience for me dealing with this.