We’re talking paper again. The most important kind-organized medical records. I have talked about keeping paper organized here. But we haven’t yet covered our medical records. There are some simple, yet best practices in achieving organized medical records.
I use the old-fashioned method of organizing my medical records. Yap, I’m a bit old school on this one. I keep them all in a dedicated space in file folders in my filing cabinet and label them by prescriptions, surgeries, receipts, and other records. And as usual, I purge the receipts once a year but keep all my medical records. I like having those at my fingertips. Some of them go back to 1990.
Let’s talk about other ways to organize medical records. Read on…
Organized Medical Records-Achieve Peace of Mind with These Few Simple Tips
First, ask for copies of your health information; under the HIPAA rule, most doctors, hospitals, and labs must give you the records within 30 days. Specify that you want test results, notes from doctors’ exams, and discharge summaries. If you’re part of an online patient portal through your doctor, some of this info will be there but maybe limited. Once you have everything, read it to make sure there are no errors or surprises. Next, create a three-ring binder for every family member. Or consider the Your Family Health Organizer, $47.60 on Amazon, by Jodie Pappas or the Personal Medical Journal, $21.05 on Amazon, by Gloria Ann Lopez-Cordle with template pages to fill in.
Organized Medical Records-Important Medical Information to Have on Hand
It’s a no-brainer to carry your insurance card at all times, but in case of an emergency, you should have the following info typed on a card tucked into a wallet or tote, which is the first place EMTs will search: a list of allergies, medical conditions (asthma or diabetes, for example), surgeries, blood type, any medications (supplements count), and primary care doctor contact information. For children, add immunization history (including tetanus), height, and weight. Senior citizens also need to indicate how to access their most recent electrocardiogram (so doctors know baseline function).
Related:Â 3 Surprising Benefits of Going Through Menopause
Digitize and Maintain Organized Medical Records
Prefer to store your medical records on your phone, tablet, or computer? These apps effectively and easily file medical info and share it with doctors. Plus, most are free!
Evernote
Scan your medical info, then store it in these virtual notebooks. They’re also useful for work and home projects!
Buy It:Â Evernote Basic, free; Plus, $34.99/year
Maintaining current, organized health records is important for everyone in the family, especially in the event of an emergency. With these practical, expert-backed tips and apps, keeping them orderly is easier than ever.
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