Do you know where your records are?

I read the June 10 article, “Faxed medical records go astray” concerning Mike Dosskey’s problem when Providence Everett Medical Center sent him a confidential medical fax by mistake.

The phone/fax number at my previous home was, unfortunately, very similar to the same Everett hospital. During my last year there, I received six faxes from various medical offices that were intended for the hospital. Although I had absolutely no interest in reading about “Mabel’s” high blood pressure or “Walter’s” prostate problems, there they were, all spelled out in detail on my office floor. I always called the medical office they were sent from to explain, sometimes receiving a curt “thanks.”

I considered changing my phone number. But I decided to wait it out since I was going to move.

After having my own faxed medical records “lost” between two physician’s offices, I now insist on taking copies with me and delivering them in person.

This issue seems ludicrous, especially when we seem to be signing new medical privacy act forms every time we walk into a doctor’s office. Do you know where your medical records are today? Hopefully they’re not on my office floor!

Camano Island