Good one! I know mine and DH knows mine but I don’t know his. Ooops!
Here’s the real scary part about modern medical records. Springtime this year, I was in hospital for simple in/out surgery. Previous to the procedure, at least 5 people came into the pre-op room to meet me and each one asked questions. Two different nurses were making updates to my ELECTRONIC records. Each one re-entered data I’d already told the previous one or should have been already in there. The grand finale was that one of the docs was unaware of my major disease. He and RN raised eyebrows and RN checked the records…it wasn’t showing. Next time I’m putting labels written on medical tape across my hospital gown! Hmph! {think I’m kidding?}
Surgery was simple BUT I had an unexpected overnight stay cuz my system went wacko with anesthesia. Just think…I’m not regaining consciousness to answer questions. So they take data from the ELECTRONIC records that were apparently not saving any new data. I’d given them data regarding my reaction to anesthesia, but did it really get recorded? I don’t know – cuz I’m unconscious way too long after surgery.
Finally got me stabilized….but with my heart now in AFib [which it has never done]…..and now do I have a heart condition???? The answer, thankfully, no. Good Grief! Even the next day, RN monitoring my condition was STILL asking those same questions….that I’d answered and watched them enter 3 times the day before. Horrifying! No more Dr Welby, yanno?
So this is what I think: Keep paper records of your own…and for your family. Keep them updated. If something happens, we can…..we MUST be an advocate for ourselves and our families. We make SURE they have things straight. Heaven knows they try…asking your name/birth date every time they turn around. But things move tooooo fast these days. And then computer systems glitch or go down. Not bad if it’s merely lost luggage at the airport but in hospitals…..
OK….I’ve got to get something into my “Back Pocket Packet” too. I do wear a Medical I.D. permanently. Has name and major disease and inform them I do not have seizures …it’s hyperthermia! That’s the major thing they would easily misdiagnose.
Also have the FILE OF LIFE packet on the door of fridge. That’s where First Responders look for medical data. I got my magnetic thing from the fire dept.
Sigh….and it occurs to me that our adult kids might need to have mom/dad’s packet of data too. In case something would happen to both of us at once.
OldMtWoman ….not trusting the ELECTRONIC records much…