Just a question

[momcobb]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NV

I will keep this as short as possible. I recently got my husbands medical records from the hospital where he was in the ER for a life threatening accident. My question is this:

How thorough should the records be? I am finding that there is a lot of information missing. I thought that the hospital had to keep complete records on every thing they did. For example:
1. What date, time did they do tests and what kind.
2. What date, time did the doctor visit and which doctor.
3. What date time did they give him medications and what medications.
4. What date, time did did the doctor perform any procedure and what procedure.

These are just a few.

Also, I got an itemized list of the bill and have found discrepancies in the amounts charged and items that are not itemized. Is it my right to question the charges and to ask for a complete list of things that are not itemized?

One last question, and I am not looking to get out of paying, just need clarification.

When the paramedics were at our house, I gave them detailed information about what happened and an officer also took down all of the information. When he arrived at the hospital, the paramedics gave the ER the wrong information. No one came out to talk to me about what really happened. I was there from roughly 9:45 to 05:00. I kept asking to see my husband and I kept getting the answer not now. After about four hours, a nurse came out and said I could see him after a CT Scan. (Now I was very distraught and overwhelmed at the time and did not think to question her). Long story short, since the paramedics gave the wrong info and no one came out to talk to me, they did two tests on him (very costly and no insurance) that he did not need. Do I have the right to challenge these charges?

Like I said, I am not looking to get out of paying the bill, but I do want to make sure that I am paying for what was medically necessary and right.

Thank you for your time and help.

 

[lealea1005]

What were your husband's injuries? Which tests are you questioning? Tests were ordered based upon the symptoms your husband presented with at the ER, and what the examining Physician deemed necessary to help with a proper diagnosis.

Your husband does have the right to receive an itemized statement and, yes, you may go over that statement with a hospital representative.

Labs, x-ray, Ct, MRI, reports should be included in the complete medical record. Medication names/dosage/dispensing should also be included. Psychiatric records could be withheld at the discretion of the Physician if the Physician feels releasing the information will be harmful to the patient.

 

[Antigone*]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NV

I will keep this as short as possible. I recently got my husbands medical records from the hospital where he was in the ER for a life threatening accident. My question is this:

How thorough should the records be? I am finding that there is a lot of information missing. I thought that the hospital had to keep complete records on every thing they did. For example:
1. What date, time did they do tests and what kind.
2. What date, time did the doctor visit and which doctor.
3. What date time did they give him medications and what medications.
4. What date, time did did the doctor perform any procedure and what procedure.

These are just a few.

Also, I got an itemized list of the bill and have found discrepancies in the amounts charged and items that are not itemized. Is it my right to question the charges and to ask for a complete list of things that are not itemized?

One last question, and I am not looking to get out of paying, just need clarification.

When the paramedics were at our house, I gave them detailed information about what happened and an officer also took down all of the information. When he arrived at the hospital, the paramedics gave the ER the wrong information. No one came out to talk to me about what really happened. I was there from roughly 9:45 to 05:00. I kept asking to see my husband and I kept getting the answer not now. After about four hours, a nurse came out and said I could see him after a CT Scan. (Now I was very distraught and overwhelmed at the time and did not think to question her). Long story short, since the paramedics gave the wrong info and no one came out to talk to me, they did two tests on him (very costly and no insurance) that he did not need. Do I have the right to challenge these charges?
Like I said, I am not looking to get out of paying the bill, but I do want to make sure that I am paying for what was medically necessary and right.

Thank you for your time and help.

What are your credentials; are you a doctor? Do you have first-hand knowledge that these test were not medically necessary?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NV

I will keep this as short as possible. I recently got my husbands medical records from the hospital where he was in the ER for a life threatening accident. My question is this:

How thorough should the records be? I am finding that there is a lot of information missing. I thought that the hospital had to keep complete records on every thing they did. For example:
1. What date, time did they do tests and what kind.
2. What date, time did the doctor visit and which doctor.
3. What date time did they give him medications and what medications.
4. What date, time did did the doctor perform any procedure and what procedure.

These are just a few.

Different hospitals do occasionally have different protocols. Records obtained from a major hospital in Fargo ND, for example, will list tests performed, the date of the test and who carried out the test (and the out-come) - but will not necessarily list the exact time that the test was performed. The exact time a provider meets with an in-patient may also be omitted. If you have any doubts or questions, by all means give them a call and voice your concerns - the vast majority of hospitals will have a patient liaison office and will be happy to address your questions.

When the paramedics were at our house, I gave them detailed information about what happened and an officer also took down all of the information. When he arrived at the hospital, the paramedics gave the ER the wrong information. No one came out to talk to me about what really happened. I was there from roughly 9:45 to 05:00. I kept asking to see my husband and I kept getting the answer not now. After about four hours, a nurse came out and said I could see him after a CT Scan. (Now I was very distraught and overwhelmed at the time and did not think to question her). Long story short, since the paramedics gave the wrong info and no one came out to talk to me, they did two tests on him (very costly and no insurance) that he did not need. Do I have the right to challenge these charges?

Unless you're a physician it might be difficult to ascertain exactly which tests or procedures were or were not needed. Relatives of the patient often give confused information (like most relatives you said you were distraught - I would have been too! - and it's not difficult to skip details), misinformation and occasionally outright falsehoods - the providers have a responsibility to make treatment decisions based not only on what the relative has said, but from what they've observed themselves.

What exactly happened?

What did you think was inappropriate or unnecessary?

 

[momcobb]

What were your husband's injuries? Which tests are you questioning? Tests were ordered based upon the symptoms your husband presented with at the ER, and what the examining Physician deemed necessary to help with a proper diagnosis.

Your husband does have the right to receive an itemized statement and, yes, you may go over that statement with a hospital representative.

Labs, x-ray, Ct, MRI, reports should be included in the complete medical record. Medication names/dosage/dispensing should also be included. Psychiatric records could be withheld at the discretion of the Physician if the Physician feels releasing the information will be harmful to the patient.

Lealea

My husband was eating an apple in bed and fell asleep and choked on it. He fell asleep because he hadn't slept much the night before and he took Seroquel that knocks him out very quickly.

The paramedics told the ER that he was in a chair and became unconscious and fell from the chair. Like I said he was in bed, after calling 911, they said to put him on the floor, which I did without dropping him.

Because of the information the paramedics gave them that he fell, they did a Cat-Scan of his head and a C-Spine. He did not need these because he did not fall. They thought because he had fallen unconscious from a chair he might have had a brain bleed or something wrong with his neck or spine.

If they would have come out and talked to me, they would have known that he did not need these tests. I am not questioning any other procedures they did, except for these.

As for the doctors, there were no psychiatrists involved. But there is no information about date and time of visit.

Oh yeah, my husband hasn't touched an apple since he got out of the hospital and if he does have something in bed, it is usually a freezer pop, but I still watch him while he is eating it.

Best thing of course is he is alive!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Antigone*]

Lealea

My husband was eating an apple in bed and fell asleep and choked on it. He fell asleep because he hadn't slept much the night before and he took Seroquel that knocks him out very quickly.

The paramedics told the ER that he was in a chair and became unconscious and fell from the chair. Like I said he was in bed, after calling 911, they said to put him on the floor, which I did without dropping him.

Because of the information the paramedics gave them that he fell, they did a Cat-Scan of his head and a C-Spine. He did not need these because he did not fall. They thought because he had fallen unconscious from a chair he might have had a brain bleed or something wrong with his neck or spine.

If they would have come out and talked to me, they would have known that he did not need these tests. I am not questioning any other procedures they did, except for these.

As for the doctors, there were no psychiatrists involved. But there is no information about date and time of visit.

Oh yeah, my husband hasn't touched an apple since he got out of the hospital and if he does have something in bed, it is usually a freezer pop, but I still watch him while he is eating it.

Best thing of course is he is alive!

Thanks for your help.

I am happy to know your husband is alive and I wish him a speedy recovery. A CT scan of the head can also be used for reasons, other than looking for skull damage. Since your husband seemed to have lost consciousness and was not breathing for some time, they may have been looking for brain damage. I'm no MD...but I'm just saying.

take care

 

[momcobb]

What are your credentials; are you a doctor? Do you have first-hand knowledge that these test were not medically necessary?

Please see my last post. No, I am not a doctor, but I do know what happened exactly.

 

[Proserpina]

Lealea

My husband was eating an apple in bed and fell asleep and choked on it. He fell asleep because he hadn't slept much the night before and he took Seroquel that knocks him out very quickly.

The paramedics told the ER that he was in a chair and became unconscious and fell from the chair. Like I said he was in bed, after calling 911, they said to put him on the floor, which I did without dropping him.

Because of the information the paramedics gave them that he fell, they did a Cat-Scan of his head and a C-Spine. He did not need these because he did not fall. They thought because he had fallen unconscious from a chair he might have had a brain bleed or something wrong with his neck or spine.

If they would have come out and talked to me, they would have known that he did not need these tests. I am not questioning any other procedures they did, except for these.

As for the doctors, there were no psychiatrists involved. But there is no information about date and time of visit.

Oh yeah, my husband hasn't touched an apple since he got out of the hospital and if he does have something in bed, it is usually a freezer pop, but I still watch him while he is eating it.

Best thing of course is he is alive!

Thanks for your help.

I'm very glad he's ok!

But I do think they were right to exercise caution and perform those two diagnostic tests. There are more than a few reasons (other than falling asleep) a person can choke or become unable to swallow - and yes, a bleed or stroke (both of which can commonly occur without a fall) would be legitimate concerns.

Good luck and safe eating

 

[momcobb]

Different hospitals do occasionally have different protocols. Records obtained from a major hospital in Fargo ND, for example, will list tests performed, the date of the test and who carried out the test (and the out-come) - but will not necessarily list the exact time that the test was performed. The exact time a provider meets with an in-patient may also be omitted. If you have any doubts or questions, by all means give them a call and voice your concerns - the vast majority of hospitals will have a patient liaison office and will be happy to address your questions.



Unless you're a physician it might be difficult to ascertain exactly which tests or procedures were or were not needed. Relatives of the patient often give confused information (like most relatives you said you were distraught - I would have been too! - and it's not difficult to skip details), misinformation and occasionally outright falsehoods - the providers have a responsibility to make treatment decisions based not only on what the relative has said, but from what they've observed themselves.

What exactly happened?

What did you think was inappropriate or unnecessary?

Please see my post to Lealea.

I was distraught,I was scared watching them working on him, because he was hardly breathing. But I have taken many first aid, CPR and first responder classes. (Was a Boy Scout leader for 12 years. Thought I should know it) I know the importance of giving correct information which I gave them very detailed information.

The problem lies in the fact that they gave the wrong information about him falling from a chair. In fact, when they got to him, he was laying on the bedroom floor, no where near a chair.

Thanks.

 

[lealea1005]

Lealea

My husband was eating an apple in bed and fell asleep and choked on it. He fell asleep because he hadn't slept much the night before and he took Seroquel that knocks him out very quickly.

The paramedics told the ER that he was in a chair and became unconscious and fell from the chair. Like I said he was in bed, after calling 911, they said to put him on the floor, which I did without dropping him.

Because of the information the paramedics gave them that he fell, they did a Cat-Scan of his head and a C-Spine. He did not need these because he did not fall. They thought because he had fallen unconscious from a chair he might have had a brain bleed or something wrong with his neck or spine.

If they would have come out and talked to me, they would have known that he did not need these tests. I am not questioning any other procedures they did, except for these.

As for the doctors, there were no psychiatrists involved. But there is no information about date and time of visit.

Oh yeah, my husband hasn't touched an apple since he got out of the hospital and if he does have something in bed, it is usually a freezer pop, but I still watch him while he is eating it.

Best thing of course is he is alive!

Thanks for your help.

I am going to assume (and correct me if I'm wrong) your husband was unresponsive at the time you called the Paramedics. Was he able to communicate at all with the ER Physician?

Actually, from the information you've given us, ordering a CT of the head and spine was appropriate.

 

[ecmst12]

They still might have done the CT anyway, to check for a stroke. Very likely, in fact.

 

[lealea1005]

The problem lies in the fact that they gave the wrong information about him falling from a chair. In fact, when they got to him, he was laying on the bedroom floor, no where near a chair.

Thanks.

Doesn't matter. The Paramedics came in to find a distraught wife and an unconscious husband on the floor. As the above posters stated, a stroke or brain bleed needed to be ruled out. Then there's the fact that your husband took Seroquel before going to bed. Is he taking any other medication which could have interacted with the Seroquel?

My grandfather choked on a watermelon seed. At the time, we did not know the choking was a result of his having a massive stroke. My point is, you really do not know what caused the choking and everything mentioned above has to be ruled out.

I'm glad he's better. Feed him applesauce from now on!

 

[Proserpina]

Please see my post to Lealea.

I was distraught,I was scared watching them working on him, because he was hardly breathing. But I have taken many first aid, CPR and first responder classes. (Was a Boy Scout leader for 12 years. Thought I should know it) I know the importance of giving correct information which I gave them very detailed information.

The problem lies in the fact that they gave the wrong information about him falling from a chair. In fact, when they got to him, he was laying on the bedroom floor, no where near a chair.

Thanks.

How would you have known if your husband had or had not suffered a stroke or bleed? Whether he was on the bed , on a chair, or the floor, isn't really relevant - the point is he could have suffered either of those and presented with the same symptoms.

This is not being antagonistic - just illustrating that there's no way to confidently rule that out without further testing.

 

[momcobb]

Thanks for the feed back.

You all make some very good points. And the answer to the question was he able to respond, was no. They even gave him medicine to wake him up, once at our house and then again at the hospital. So I guess they did need to rule those things out.

To be honest, I guess I really didn't think about him being unresponsive and just thinking about what I read about the paramedics.

I have a question about paying the medical bills, should I ask it here or start a new topic?

 

[lealea1005]

Thanks for the feed back.

You all make some very good points. And the answer to the question was he able to respond, was no. They even gave him medicine to wake him up, once at our house and then again at the hospital. So I guess they did need to rule those things out.

To be honest, I guess I really didn't think about him being unresponsive and just thinking about what I read about the paramedics.

I have a question about paying the medical bills, should I ask it here or start a new topic?

Just keep your questions to this thread. Most of those who will answer billing questions are here too.