What is it proving for me to sign a paper giving them to me? Why couldn't I just show them my driver's license, which contains the same signature to prove that I am, in fact, me.
2006-07-18 06:34:21 · 7 answers · asked by chess_man 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
First, they are not your medical records, they belong to the hospital, and they always will. The information may be about you, but the hospital is the on who takes care of them. Everyone who touches your medical records is noted in a computer systems. Since the medical records belong to the hospital, if you want a copy, you have to sign to request a copy, so they have on record, who also has a copy. They also have now a legal paper, stating who requested the copy, why, and what information for legal purposes. It is needed by law, to protect the hospital and your rights, plus they get inspected for proper releases for accreditation. You will never get the original records at all. Even in court cases, they have to sign for the records and a representative from the hospital goes to court with them, if originals are requested. Plus by signing a release form, makes it easier to keep track of request, since they do get about 100-400 a day, depending on the size of the hospital.
2006-07-18 08:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by lignebur72 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not just that you have to prove you are you, but in future the hospital or doctor might have to prove that the person they gave the records to was you. Just showing your license doesn't protect them if they need to prove they didn't give your records out to someone who wasn't entitled to have them. It's for YOUR protection too.
2006-07-18 06:38:14 · answer #2 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are talking about what I think you are then it's a release form that you must sign if ANYONE (other than the doctors and such I think) wishes to see your medical records. Yes it is you that wants to see them but its standard precedure to make the subject of the records sign a release form before they can be.. well.. released.
2006-07-18 06:40:32 · answer #3 · answered by Charles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a legal issue. In order to protect your privacy, they need a signature, by law, to release them. You just have to release to yourself. I knw it sounds silly, but in the past, people have taken their records, lost them, and said that they had never had them and went after the doctor's office for it. Basically, it protects the doctor's practice and your private information. You should be glad that it is that strict.
2006-07-18 06:38:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is the law. privacy issues of who has knowledge of your medical records...can greatly affect insurance, employment (discrimination) and those in the medical profession can be sued if this information can gets into unauthorized hands. your signature provides written proof in case a lawsuit ever is filed.
2006-07-18 06:39:20 · answer #5 · answered by Lucy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point is that you cannot then sue the doctor for malpractice.
2006-07-18 06:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
safety
2006-07-18 06:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by likeskansas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋