If you have had to see multiple specialists....

[Tap]

DD17 has an undiagnosed health issue on top of some that we already know of. She has a chronic pain in her back and several other areas in her body.   Her newest doctor (neuromuscular specialist at a teaching hospital), just ran 15 new blood tests.  Some are repeats of old tests, most are new. Some of them are coming back out of normal range but not significantly low. We are waiting for all of the tests to come back before consulting, so I have no idea what the neuromuscular doctor thinks about them yet.  Odd tests like Angiotensin is low, and her CBC is a bit off. After we get all the test results, would you send the results from the new tests to her old doctors to see if it changes anything for them? They are at different practices, so I would need to send the results manually.  The ones I am considering are the Rhumatologist, Cardiologist,and  Pulminologist (we will see him in 6mths no matter what).  If you would do this, how would you do it?  Make and appointment (hard to do with my schedule) or just send them with a letter? 

 

 

 

 In the past 12 months, she has seen: (none of them can figure out the pain, but all admit that there is definitely something wrong)

 

3 physiatrists/sports medicine doctors (1 of them is her current sports med doctor)

1 rhumatologist

1 pulmononogist (she has asthma)

1 cardiologist (she has POTS)

1 geneticist

1 Orthopedic specialist at Shriners

1 Neurologist (migraines and daily headaches)

1 neuromuscular specialist.

 

1 physical therapist 

1 acupuncturist

 

 

[Guest]

All of my providers have forms for me to sign that tell them who to send test results to, and give my permission to do so. The office staff has the task of doing the actual work.

 

I would confirm that the data has been sent, then schedule a consult.

[Joules]

It's easiest to have the doctor that run the test fax the results to all of your doctors.  The only problem is sometimes results are not reviewed by other doctor, but just put in your file.  If you want a doctor to review it, call the office after the results get there and tell them that you want the doc to look at the new results and to have him call if she needs to come in earlier. 

 

I tend to take all of my orders for blood work to one doctor in the interest of getting stabbed as little as possible.  I make sure the lab has the fax numbers of all doctors that need to know.

[TechWife]

I agree with the others. The doctor who runs the tests should share them with the other doctors. They do it frequently and already have office procedures set up. If you want them to review them, call to follow up. 

 

ETA: Be prepared for them to want her to come in to discuss the test results. 

Edited September 2, 2016 by TechWife

[Tap]

All of my providers have forms for me to sign that tell them who to send test results to, and give my permission to do so. The office staff has the task of doing the actual work.

 

I would confirm that the data has been sent, then schedule a consult.

They dont seem to want to send them to several different drs though.  I have them sent to two right now and when ever I give them the second name they seem confused like they don't know what to do with 2.  

 

Dd sees two different PCPS. We were getting ready to switch her to an new PCP when this pain issue started, but we ended up staying with her old PCP pediatrician until this gets figured out.  The new doctors is wayyyy cheaper on my insurance but further away and in a huge  hospital based practice, so there is lots of bureaucracy.  I have all records sent to both, so when we officially change, the records are all there. 

Edited September 2, 2016 by Tap

[Guest]

You have to be persistent with some providers. I had one staff that let my request sit, but they faxed it over on the spot when the very-respected-specialist called. After that I switched to an office where the staff is better trained. I dont want to have costly test repeats or complications because a clerk wont do her job unless a manager sits with her. My test results go to four doctors and its automatic per the paperwork on file.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Heigh Ho

[TechWife]

They dont seem to want to send them to several different drs though.  I have them sent to two right now and when ever I give them the second name they seem confused like they don't know what to do with 2.  

 

 

The blood test results belong to the patient. The patient (or their parent, if under 18) can request that they be sent anywhere. There is no limit. Ask to speak to the office manager. 

[prairiewindmomma]

We've had this scenario pop up a couple of times.  We've handled it a few different ways depending on the personalities involved:

 

1. Designate a primary coordinator.  Your "primary" doc may or may not be your ped.  Currently, my rheumatologist is running my show.  All records are sent back to him, and he designates who needs copies of what.  He shares everything with my insurance designated primary doctor.  Everybody I currently see gets along, and most of them already share records.  My rheumy gives me a large file when I need to go see a certain specialist.

 

2. Be the coordinator. Get master copies of all labs and visit records and shuffle stuff around yourself.  This is the easiest system to work with, particularly if you have the doctor designate to her or his staff as you checkout that printouts are to be sent with you and labs mailed to you as they come in.  

 

3. Sign releases with everyone and get them to send records.  This only works, IME, if they already share record systems (like if you are seeing everyone through one hospital system) or if you have very cooperative doctors because you are seeing super specialists.  This takes the most work.

 

 

As to how to do it:  Just send a visit summary with labs with a note that you'll be in on x date but that you'd like to know earlier if they see anything concerning that should affect her care now.