Medical Doctors and secret codes on my/your medical records?

Question

Doctors share information with each other if you give them permission...as a rule.

However, do they have codes in your files that would indicate to other referring doctors about you, especially information that you are a good or bad patient for what ever reason(s)?
Would these codes give a new doctor (or an old one for that matter) a heads up on you or your case.?

My guess is, I would think so, especially if there are problems like financial or potential legal issues.

I would appreciate your thoughtful and serious input.

Answer 1

There are no secret codes in your medical file. The only codes used are internal to a hospital for billing or what are known as ICD-9 codes which are used to bill medicare and the insurance companies and they convey an exact diagnosis with possibly complicating factors.

If the doctors have a concern about a patient, they would most likely verball discuss it with their colleague. There are also comments made directly into the file typically at the start of a history and physical exam that may state a general (and usually glaringly obvious) impression of the patient. Most physicians, knowing that records are legal documents and may be read by the patient or an attorney, will stick to the facts and not their opinion.

Answer 2

Sorry, no secret codes. At least, not that would ever show up in a record.

We do have FLK (funny looking kid - a child that looks "syndrome-y"), PPP (p*ss poor protoplasm) and TFF (too freakin' fat), but you will NEVER see those written down!

One doctor may verbally warn another that a patient doesn't pay his bills, or is a lawsuit waiting to happen, but that also would never show up in a medical record.

Answer 3

Some do... however their not suppose to...

In the UK this is covered by the Acces to Health Records Act which basically means they have to legally explain any 'unintelligable' vocabulory or abbreviations to the patient should they request a copy of their medical record

Answer 4

I have found that doctors often use a type of shorthand, or they use Latin, often, in the files they have on patients. I do not recall ever seeing a code or a 'heads up!' regarding any patient, however.

Answer 5

Poor Protoplasm

Answer 6

No secret codes that I have ever heard of. You may be referring to diagnosis codes, which are numerical and are used for the purpose of medical billing.