[sillygirl]

My doctors office just called to ask me if they had my psychiatrists information correct because they needed to forward my latest lab results to him! Why would my un-psych-related blood results need to go to my shrink? Should they not have asked me if I minded or to sign something?
I don't understand what they might have found that they dont need to tell me but find it relevant for him? The blood tests were to test for any nutrient deficienices. At first I thought it was because my nutrition was bad and she thought that he should no about it, But then, they would need to tell me to take suppliments or come in for a shot. Would it show medications that I have taken? Not that I have taken anything Im not suposed to but I am at a loss for guesses! This feels very much like a violation, and I have always thought that they needed signed permission to pass information between doctors? I don't know why Im so worried, maybe because in all my years with my doctor, this has never hapened!
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks for reading

*I just thought of something that Im adding*

could this be a way to break bad news to me? I know Im probably blowing this out of proportion but I can't help it right now.

[EJ711]

Hi Silly Girl,

I share your belief, that they need your signature to share your medical information even with another doctor.

I would call the office, ask to speak to the Office Manager, and tell her that it is your understanding that you haven't signed anything permitting them to share medical information with your psychiatrist.

This information may be helpful in your treatment with the psychiatrist, because they have to become medical doctors first. Just assume it was for this reason it was shared, but if you haven't given them permission, then it was against HIPPA guidelines.

That's great your M.D. ran these kinds of tests.

EJ

[sillygirl]

Hi EJ , thanks for responding,

I tried to ask when they called for the information but then she quickly changed the direction of the conversation. I asked why and what info could you possibly need to send him and she said, oh we just need to make sure that we have the right contact information. Again I said, but why? She replied, I dont have that information to give you but I need to fax him some lab results. ??

So now Im left wondering if she found out Im really sick and wants to discuss it with him before they tell me.
There would be no reason, that I could think, to send my blood results as it is routine for me to get them done and never to my knowledge have they ever sent it to him before. But I guess its possible that she may be concerened about the results and felt he should know. But don't you think they should be telling me about that? So that I can take something or eat better? im so worried.
It is possible that I did sign something years ago and I don't remember. I will call them about that.

Hi Sillygirl,

Of course the only one who can answer that is either you primary Dr or your psychiatrist, but I do know that p-docs will check labs to monitor any side effects that may come from your meds.

You mentioned your nutrition was bad too so your p-doc might want the results to monitor your counts for anemia etc.

It is not unusual for them to request copies every now and then, just to "keep an eye on how your system is reacting to meds."

As far as sharing info between docs, you may have signed these forms at the beginning of your treatment when they have you fill out all that paperwork without even knowing. They usually include that form up front.

This is all in your best interest. That's a good thing that they want to check to make sure all is well.

I do think that your nutrition issues are probably what's being monitored.

Hope that eases your worry a bit.

Petunia

[sillygirl]

Hi Petunia

my psychiatrist will normally check my blood himself. But I do feel better knowing that you guys don't think it is strange that it might have to do with my nutrition. Maybe my doctor wants to alert my psychiatrist. I called my docs office and I asked about signing something and you are right! I signed something when I started with my doctor. The fact that htey have never had communication before, that they had to contact me to confirm the info was right made me worried, but what you said makes sense, if my results were something to be conderned about it isn't really that odd that my psychiatrist should get the info. She probably wants to make sure Im eating enough. But the worry was enough for me to make an appointment! So I will be seeing my doctor and can ask.
thanks for responding

[(JD)]

I'm thinking that you signed something with your psychiatrist, that he can receive or request such information from you doctor. It's good that they work together, it's also good that you are keeping up with it.

I'm also thinking that some psych meds must cause deficiencies that a psychiatrist might want to keep track of??? IDK.

Isn't it good that they called you? How much worse would you feel to find out later that it had all happened and you didn't have a chance to figure it out?

when I had apsychiatrist and a family doctor During intake with the psychiatrist one of the forms that I had to sign in order to be treated by the psychiatrist was a release of info form. It was mainly so that both professionals would know what each was prescribing so that the meds were not counteracting or causing interaction problems. and also so that each knew both the medical and psychiatric history so that when I had a problem they both knew which was from my medical problems and which was from mental problems.

Now my family doctor prescribes any and all medications for me so I don't see a psychiatrist (unless its time for an updated Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation which only a psychiatrist or psychologist can give). Both my therapist and my family doctor have permission to talk and pass information to each other. They don't do this because they want to keep anything from me or Im sicker then I know sort of thing. It just makes taking care of me easier all around. everyone knows everything so no one is second guessing my treatment plans or sending in different directions on what I need. Maybe this is what they are setting up for you.

If you are in the US you may have already given permission for your physician and therapy professional to exchange information. Most doctors and therapy agencies in the United States now are working this type of continuity of care type programs and include the release of information form with their intakes and 6 month update paperwork. So read those papers that you sign very carefully so that you know when you are allowing someone to have access to your mental health information.

[sillygirl]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
I'm thinking that you signed something with your psychiatrist, that he can receive or request such information from you doctor. It's good that they work together, it's also good that you are keeping up with it.

I'm also thinking that some psych meds must cause deficiencies that a psychiatrist might want to keep track of??? IDK.

Isn't it good that they called you? How much worse would you feel to find out later that it had all happened and you didn't have a chance to figure it out?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">


I agree with you, it is good they called me and I have no problem with my psychiatrist having the information. It was more about a horrible fear that I was terribly sick and that they wanted to discuss it before they told me. You all have made me feel so much better! I realize how silly that was of me.

[(JD)]

Well, I didn't say it to make you feel silly. Actually, in the USA that privacy clause we sign only protects the doctor or lawyer releasing the info... once the other doctor or lawyer has the information, they are not bound to keep it private any more. can you believe it? grrrrr

[Rhapsody]

I used to work in the medical field and I would have to say that you probably signed a form (several forms) with your T to obtain updated information from your Pdoc as your counseling with the T continues..... no one can obtain your personal medical INFO without proper consent from....... YOU.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[sillygirl]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
Well, I didn't say it to make you feel silly. Actually, in the USA that privacy clause we sign only protects the doctor or lawyer releasing the info... once the other doctor or lawyer has the information, they are not bound to keep it private any more. can you believe it? grrrrr

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

No, you didn't make me feel silly, I just realized after reading all your responses how I jumped to conclusions about why. I felt so much better after reading what you all said, because none of ou really even made mention to what my fear was lol so I realized, it was just my fear and now, I am sure you all are right about it
thank you again everyone, I see my doctor tomorrow.

HIPPA requires no matter who has the information that they not release it with out a recent (within the past 6 months) release of information paper signed and dated. I know this because a therapy letter came into a dHS caseworkers hands. She chose to photocopy and distribute it without an active signed release of information form and the result was she lost her job and lost her state social workers license and can no longer work DHS cases in this state and most likely the US because the state license board here also reports such cases on the national level too. Right now that caseworker is living in another state (which also falls under the Civil Rights department jurisdiction that did the investigation in this state) under another last name instead of DHS she has opened her own private adoption agency working with those that want to adopt angle instead of taking and putting kids up for adoption.