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TooGroggy wrote:

ohammersmith wrote: But what can I do that's both constructive and productive that's not "let it go"?

God knows I've dealt with my share of incompetent medical staff. But I believe you'll make a better case if you forget about what the records clerk did or didn't do, whether the tech should or shouldn't have done what he did or who called whom and how they got your number. And most of all, forget about what you should be (e.g., pissed or furious) and figure out what you should do. Based on your statements, it appears that the issue is straightforward:

1) The facility is required by law to keep your medical records for X number of years.
2) The facility is required by law to provide those records to you within Y days of a duly completed request.
3) You have not received your records despite having requested them.

Fix that problem and not only will you have dealt with your personal issue but you will probably have paved the way for others to get what they need as well.

I think that's a good approach, but I need help finding out what those variables are.

All I was able to find was a federal mandates on maintaining data for medicate patients. I'm not one of those.

How about something like the following? It's polite, unemotional, states clearly what you want, and perhaps more inportantly, if you chose to take this further, there's nothing here that anyone can take offense at.

Dear XYZ,

I am requesting a copy of the detailed results of my polysomogram performed on mm/dd/yy. I do not want the 2-page summary; I want the 9-10 pages that detail the pressures used and the results of those pressures (OR I want the complete detailed study). I understand there might be a charge for making the copy; if so, please contact me at the information below and let me know what the charge will be and how I can arrange payment.

I understand the following applies to my request:

1) You are required by law to keep your medical records for X number of years.

2) You are required by law to provide those records to me within Y days of a duly-completed request.

Thank you for your speedy attention to my request.
name
address
phone

ohammersmith wrote:I need help finding out what those variables are.

There are a couple of places you may want to look. AHIMA, the American Health Information Management Association tracks information related to health records. For instance, http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/ ... 012547.pdf lists laws for each State. A quick scan shows that the retention period varies but it's certainly longer than 2 years.

But the issue may end up being whether the raw data you are seeking is considered health information that is subject to Federal and State laws. One place that may help you determine that is the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Among many things it does, AASM accredits sleep centers. If it accredited the one you went to, you may be able to file a complaint with them.

find out if they are accredited with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine! They have to meet the highest standards to hold that title, and the AASM would be very curious why they are not keeping better records..

ohammersmith wrote:Huh, I just thought of option #4.

A nicely worded dead-tree letter to the Director of the facility, the guy with the MD and medical license.

Explain how their data retention practices are out of line and their treatment of their customers is unacceptable

Cc'd to my physicians.

Bcc'd to the insurance companies.

Sounds like a plan, no?