to complain to doctors about incorrect medical records

[sweetpea31]

I went to the doctors yesterday and while she was out of the room, I glanced at the computer screen and it stated ongoing medical issues. Obviously some I was aware of but was gobsmacked to see 'elephantiasis' listed as a current condition. I was unsure what this illness was and so googled it when I got home and shocked to find it a condition caused by parasites from tropical places. I have neither a parasite nor have visited any of these places and have yet to receive treatment for this condition I never knew I had! I am pretty sure my legs don't look like they do on the pictures - they are a bit chunky but I doubt they would qualify for this ailment! Clearly there has been a mistake along the way but am unsure about challenging the doctors and would they also know I have been nosing!

I'd tell them asap. They're your own medical notes, everyone looks at them when they're on the screen don't they?
There could be another patient with a similar name to you on the books who needs treatment for something that's on your notes rather than their own.

Could you ask the Doctor to see you medical records? I have absolutely no idea whether they can or not but I would ask. I think very few of us would not have a casual glance at the screen were it in front of us. I do think it's important that you sort this out because if you are to be treated for something else, it could affect your treatment.

My doctor casually mentioned my sons epilepsy during a consultation last year. I don't know who was more shocked, me or him. As my son does not have epilepsy.

I would write to the practice manager asking if you could make an appointment to view your medical notes because you thought you saw a diagnosis of elephantiasis on your notes and googling it saw this was a tropical disease caused by a parasite and you don't think you have ever had this. I suspect there has been a mistake and you may find the diagnosis has been deleted when you get to view your notes. You do have a right to see your medical records although the records have to be checked first to remove 3rd party references in them eg stuff about your siblings / husband. If everyone asked to see their records the NHS would grind tom a halt as there would be no time to treat patients but asking to see them if you think they are inaccurate is reasonable.

I expect its been miscoded by a medic or data entry clerk at some point, all entries on your records, whether medical or administrative, are recognised by the software as a code and it only takes a small slip of the finger and an unconcentrating person to select the first thing on the list that comes up.

For instance, to record that a telephone call has been made I used to type "tel" into the box and "Telephone Call" would be recorded on the screen, followed by whatever comment I chose to put. But if I missed the T from tel and just typed "el" then the first entry would come up as "Elbow disorder" (or something like that, I can't remember the exact term). 99 times out of 100 it would be picked up straight away and recoded but I guarantee there are many many mistakes made in a similar vein.

Hospital records are generally much worse than GP records. It would make you shudder to see all the wrong entries on those...

If you ring your surgery and ask to speak to the administrative manager/practice manager it should be dealt with promptly. Nobody will bat an eyelid at you seeing your records. One GP I used to work for had two screens set up in his consultation room, one facing him and one facing the patient who could see exactly what was being written as it was being done. All very open.

Yes, its a legal requirement they maintain accurate records so tell them.

YANBU. Sounds like a simple mistake, but it does need to be fixed.

I've got an ongoing problem with my surgery regarding the spelling of my forename - think Clare instead of Claire (though that's not my name). They seem to have it right on one system and not on another and all my maternity notes were referring to someone who is not me. Can take some explaining when I need to pick up a prescription and the script says Claire Shepard and the exemption certificate says Clare Shepard.

Write to the practice manager asking for review and correction.