Patient Bedside Records

[scoobydooby]

Any Doctors on here? Why would a patient be prevented from looking at his own notes (at the base of his bed) in hospital? I'm not talking about the confidential locked away records, just the monitoring of weight, sugar levels, fluids etc. Was told by a nurse today that it was 'very illegal' .....I guess 'very' would give it a higher sanction if prosecution took place. Seriously, I am a bit miffed that my Father, who was just trying to work out when his course of anti-biotics finished, had his notes whipped away from him!

[Mamyalynne]

I didn't know it was - have always looked at my own when in and anyone I am visiting with their permission.

Mamya (not qualified)

[lcg]

it's not very illegal....the nurse hasn't got a clue what she is on about. they are confidential and property of the hospital, tho. technically, your father needs to apply to see his records (which he may have to pay for)....i'd just advise him to look when the dragon is busy! x

[MASS1961]

If they are so secret, why are they just left at the end of the bed?

[Eve]

I've looked at my own before now - mainly to see if things like my temperature, blood pressure, pulse were getting back to normal to get an idea as to whether I was getting better and might be able to be discharged as they usually have it in the chart.

When I was last in for a stay (infected gallbladder) a nurse came and put my notes by my bed ready for the Dr's rounds. I was having a bit of a nose, mainly looking to see if there was a scan picture of when they scanned for gallstones (out of morbid curiosity to see what was causing so much pain) but there wasn't one so was looking at other scan pics of my insides and a nurse said to make sure I put them back before the Dr appeared as he wouldn't like it.

I do get a lot of comments though as I have lawyer (I'm sure it's highlighted or something!) on my medical records, I find it such a shame they think like that though I can see why.

I was kept in for a test to be done I didn't really need once. I questioned why if it was very unlikely it would show up anything (blood clot test, I had swelling in both legs and they said very unsual for a blood clot to affect both). I said I was happy to trust their judgment (ie it being very unlikely) and go home but they said they wanted to do it as I'm a lawyer. I pointed out I'm a property lawyer and am not a fan of the compensation culture and adverse affect it has on defensive medicine but they insisted on doing it.

[Sqad]

Nothing illegal about it......they are your notes.

Like pamphlets in boxes of tablets, seeing words in your notes that you do not understand may unsettle you......."ignorance is bliss."...usually.

[dickythecook]

Having spent a bit of time over the past 18 months going in and out of hospital I find that asking the right person the relevant questions works very well. As Sqad says some of the big words can be worriesome.

[237SJ]

I`ve never given any thought to that but come to think of it, if the patient`s name is on the board (together with their information) then technically, the Data Protection Act is being broken. Do they turn the notes around the other way at visiting time?