A recent news story highlights the importance of selecting a trustworthy records custodian
As a retiring doctor, you may have many options for how to handle your patients’ medical records after you retire. You could retain possession of them, designate another physician as your records custodian, or have your files transferred to a hospital or medical facility that provides records storage and administration services. Or, you could entrust your patients’ records to My Retired Doctor. A recent news story highlights some of the reasons that leaving your patients’ records in the care of a dedicated medical records storage company like My Retired Doctor may very well be your best option.
Patients Records Held by Bankrupt Hospital Will be Destroyed
Saint Catherine Hospital of Pennsylvania filed for bankruptcy in 2012. Since then, medical records belonging to former patients and stored at the Fountain Springs location have been in limbo.
Though the hospital originally intended to file for bankruptcy as a means of restructuring their finances, US Bankruptcy Judge John J. Thomas rejected that option and instead converted the case into a liquidation bankruptcy. The hospital’s license was subsequently revoked. Because the hospital was not expecting this, there was no plan in place for how to deal with the numerous patient files, X-rays, and other medical documentation in the facility’s possession.
The trustee of the bankrupt hospital, William G. Schwab, reported that he had difficulty determining what to do with these medical records. While many records have been returned to the patients, many other remain in the hospital’s care. Schwab attempted to negotiate a storage solution with a third party, but was unable to finalize the deal because of lack of funding. Now, Schwab says he has no choice but to destroy the records. This last resort was authorized by Judge Thomas, so the hospital is within its legal rights to do this. Nonetheless, it means that vital patient information might be lost to any patients who did not realize they needed to secure copies of their medical records at the closure of the hospital.
Why Choose My Retired Doctor
As this news item shows, trusting your patients’ records to a hospital or medical facility can be risky. You’re much better off choosing a dedicated medical records storage company such as My Retired Doctor, whose sole purpose and priority is facilitating patient access to their records. We are much less likely to experience financial troubles because we are so much smaller and simpler than a hospital. We are also more reliable than an individual trustee, who could quit or pass away suddenly at any time, potentially leaving your patients’ records in the care of a third party. When you trust your patients’ records to My Retired Doctor, you can enjoy retirement knowing that the records are safe, secure, private, and easily accessible to your patients whenever they may choose to request them.