requesting medical records from the gov't

[petero]

what responsibility do hospitals have to maintain accurate medical records?
it there an agency in the US Gov't from which medical records can be ordered?
I know there is a FOIA for criminal records and such, but is there a similar request for medical records that would have to be maintained for accuracy, superceding the hospital's records?

[Nakamova]

The hospital is required to maintain records, and you are definitely allowed to have copies of them. The hospital should give you instructions for having a copy sent to you. Sometimes there is a fee to obtain them, or things like EEGs or Xrays.

However, there are no other records superseding the hospital's own -- it's not like there's an FBI agent looking over the doctor's shoulder taking a different set of notes.

[Rae1889]

The hospital has to have your records. BUT depending on your state or province they are the property of the doctor. Which means they can make you pay for them. Mine cost $25. Plus they make you pay copying and supplies fees. For my whole ICU dates, (about 10 days ICU and 8 regular) this cost $50. So its pretty expensive.

You can use the freedom of information act for your own personal records, and it may wave the charges depending on the amount of paperwork needed.

[Endless]

I can see why accuracy in charting would be a concern for you. Often times due to emergency circumstances, laziness, sloppiness, lack of skill, or unprofessionalism the chart notes don't reflect the facts. Unfortunately the chart notes are the chart notes. The only time there is usually an objective third party observer (usually a nurse) observing and writing down the events is during certain events like a patient going into cardiac arrest.

A good course of action is to always ask for a copy of chart notes right after the appointment or event. Then if there are inaccuracies you can clear them up right away. Soften the blow by saying that you don't think there was a meeting of the minds, or that you think there may be a few gaps.

In the United States legally they MUST give you a copy of your records. They must also have an avenue for you to ensure that your records are correct. Most doctors won't change their notes but most hospitals or doctors have a policy that you can add a page of your own explaining what you believe is in error and what the chart notes should say.

If they give you a hassle about this contact the medical quality board in your state, or the department of health for your state. Some states have a slightly different structure or call their review boards something different.

Most doctors, labs, hospitals, etc. won't charge you for records that are for your own use. There is usually a fee for records for use by attorneys, etc. I've found copies of images (CT scans, MRIs, Xrays) are best to get on a CD. Especially if they are for another doctor's use. Physical copies provide only partial images, not all "slices" of the imaging study. CD copies of chart notes and labs are nice, too. They take up much less space and are very convenient (if you have a PC).