Re: do I have a right to see my chart?

Sandra Melville (luthyen(AT)erols.com)
Fri, 12 Feb 1999 13:17:38 -0500

Mykella,
You might also ask to speak to the nurse manager of the unit you are on..
Those games the "mean nurse" are playing are totally inappropriate and VERY
unprofessional, and she needs to be told that. The nurse manager is the one
to handle it.You certainly do have the right to know your meds (in fact,
they have the OBLIGATION to tell you, by regulations most hospitals follow).
Re: the rest of your records, you should be allowed them too. It's not
necessarily anything sinister to be offered a summary-it sometimes makes it
easier than trying to wade through the paper. I liked to be with a patient
when (s)he was looking at records, so that if there were questions about
meanings they could be answered-but you should not be denied them. They are,
after all, YOUR records. Re: seeing the pills before they are crushed, (and
please everyone don't jump on me, Im just stating facts that nurses dont
like either) would that mean two trips to your room, or do they crush it in
a cart outside the door? That might be a source of reluctance, in these days
of too few staff and many patient needs.Seeing the med sheet sounds like a
good alternative.

As far as the docs making changes w/o telling you, get a little notebook,
and each day when the docs come in ask whatever questions, review your meds,
and make notes. Let them know you are not going to take anything w/o having
it discussed, even if they think it beneficial. This too is your right and
their obligation. I used to have conference 2x daily, once w/my attending
(he walks on water) the other with the residents (they're trying to keep
their noses above water). It kept all of us from unwelcome surprises, and I
came up with challenging questions as I'm sure you will-what did we have to
do but lie there and try to puzzle these things out all day? One can only
watch Jerry Springer for so long..(for me just long enough to identify the
show..) :-)

You won't win a docile patient award-but you will be an educated
self-advocate and partner in your care. And that is better.

Sam, who has been on both sides of the stethoscope

ann lindstrom wrote:

> Mykella - you are pretty savvy - so you probably already have thought of
> this, but, your hospital has some sort of patient advocate on staff.
> Get in touch with the person and raise some hell about that nurse. Your
> medical records are yours - you have the absolute right to fully
> understand everything they are doing and giving you. Ann
>
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> Hello everyone,
>
> I am hoping someone can give me some advice. As I have said before, I
> have had bad experiences with drs before...and the ones here are an
> unknown element to me. Back when I first had my paralysis, it got so
> bad I insisted upon seeing my chart while I was in the hospital. This
> didn't make me popular among the drs!
> Well, now I am concerned, mainly, because the drs keep changing my meds
> without telling me (and when it all gets crushed, mixed, and put down my
> tube it is impossible to identify). I would like to a) ask the nurse to
> show me the pill before she crushes it and b) see the med sheet in my
> chart. I have asked for the latter before and the drs resisted,
> offering me a "summary" written by one of the students instead
> *The main reasons I am worried is because, for one, an incorrect order
> was written to give me blood pressure meds (for high bp), when my blood
> pressure was already on the low side. A nurse caught the mistake and,
> because she knows me, thought before she gave it.
> Also, the "mean" nurse is playing games with me. One night when she
> brought my meds and I asked what was in it, she did not tell me
> everything (leaving out the painkiller, nausea med, and
> sedative...meanwhile I took a shower, etc...which was not safe after
> having all those sedative-effect meds). The last two nights, she comes
> in carrying the cup full of liquid. When I ask her what is in it she
> says "what do you think?" or tonight she said "what would you like to
> be in it?" Then I have to ask her medication by medication and, quite
> frankly, I don't trust her...why should I have to tell HER?????
> Also, one night I asked her how many pain pills she was giving me; she
> said "how many do you think you get?" I said, 2, she said "well, that's
> what I gave you."
>
> So, I think the only way I can trust them is to see that med sheet she,
> and the other nurses, are following. But I know the drs are not going
> to like that, and maybe not even let me, so I was wondering if any of
> you have any advice. What are my rights? Have any of you experienced
> this kind of feeling?
>
> Thanks! I am feeling kind of lost and desperate right now...I do not
> know who to trust (except all of you wonderful friends out there!)
>
> Mykella
>
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