Without a complete, up to date copy of your medical records, it can be difficult or even impossible for a physician to provide you the best possible care in a timely manner. Many of us trust hospitals, clinics, labs, and individual physician practices to be the guardians of our medical records. However, this may not be the smartest course of action. The healthcare system is overburdened and disorganized in many different ways, and facilities do not always transfer records quickly or store them as securely as they should.
Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on these facilities to store, manage, and facilitate your record transfers to new physicians any longer. With help from Order Medical Records, you can secure your own copy of your medical records and keep it on hand for any time you may need your records in the future. Here are four important reasons why you should order a copy of your medical records as soon as possible.
Bringing a copy of your medical records with you when you visit a new healthcare provider or specialist can save you both time and money. Having a copy of your records readily available will enable you to skip the hassle of filling out a new patient health background form every time you see a new doctor or are treated at a new facility. In addition, you can avoid any unnecessary and costly duplicate testing that might have to be ordered if you do not already have the results from your previous tests. Simply put, having access to your medical records will make it easier for you and your healthcare provider to take care of business.
Your medical records may be spread out across multiple providers and locations which can make it extremely difficult to access all your records in a timely manner. By having access to your own copy of your medical records and updating it with the new records as your care progresses, you can ensure that all your physicians and specialists have access to complete, up to date sets of records. This improves collaboration between doctors, specialists, and their staff members which will ultimately result in you receiving the best care possible. If all of your doctors do not have access to all of you records, then there is no way for them to be sure that they are giving you the most appropriate treatments. Lack of access to your records can even lead to dangerous situations where doctors may be unaware of critical details about your health that would have been outlined in your medical records. At Order Medical Records, we make it very easy to consolidate all of your records to ensure that you always receive the best treatment.
Another very important reason to keep your own copy of your medical records is that it helps reduce the risk of loss. Many medical records get purposely destroyed every year, as physicians typically shred records after holding them for seven years. Medical records can also get destroyed by natural disasters like floods, fires, and tornadoes. Some doctors or hospitals may convert their records to electronic medical records without scanning in old paper based records which can make those old records very difficult, if not impossible to recover. Even records in electronic format are not immune to loss, as system and technology failures could result in your critical data being lost forever. Order Medical Records can provide you with a paper and/or digital copy of your records for personal safekeeping.
Having a copy of your medical records with you can make a big difference when you are traveling. If you happen to be in a serious accident or have a medical emergency during your travels, you can receive the proper care that is adjusted to meet your unique needs much quicker by presenting your medical records directly to the hospital staff. Additionally, if you are questioned by foreign officials about a medication you might have in your possession, having access to your medical records can clear up any confusions and get you out of any potential problem that may have arisen.
Your medical records contain critical information that directly ties in to your health and well being. If you do not have access to copies of your medical records then you are setting yourself up for potentially bad situations. Make the right choice and get a copy of your complete medical records today by utilizing Order Medical Record’s secure online ordering portal.