Health Records - Watch Out!

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I learned a hard lesson today and will pass on my unfortunate experience to you for your consideration.

I had a detailed vision examination years back and assumed that the medical provider kept a copy... especially in the case of an emergency (i.e., injury, accident or destruction of eye ware while traveling, etc.)

Health care providers do keep a copy... for a time.

I've been lucky over the years in that my vision has been good, and I haven't needed a change of prescription.

During my last physical examination, my general primary health care provider suggested that, even so, it might be a good idea to get a routine vision checkup.

In my case, absolutely unknown to me, at some time during the intervening years, my vision provider destroyed my records, including all details about the detailed examination provided to me. All that information (test results, etc.) lost forever!

Now, it is just like I was born yesterday! Absolutely no information available to the next vision specialist who will examine me.

What a waste!

I have learned my lesson.

The next time you have any sort of health care procedure performed, ask the provider to give you a physical copy of your record. Keep it in a safe place, and do not assume that the provider will maintain your records, certainly not for any substantial length of time.

I wish that I had done this.

Lesson learned!