college health forms: hospital negligence?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Well, I wasn’t sure where else to post this. I supposed I could use some mature advise, so I figured the parent cafe would be my best bet.</p>

<p>Yesterday, I went in for a physical and to get my health forms/immunization records for college filled out. My forms were due today, with my appointment being so late because I had made an earlier appointment, was told mistakenly that a nurse’s visit would be fine, and scheduled accordingly. </p>

<p>So I was already frustrated about this, and I go into the doctor’s yesterday. Immediately I was concerned because my doctor spoke very poor english. I iterated multiple times that my form needed to be completely filled out for college, but I didn’t understand exactly what it entailed and what I needed because I am not a doctor. </p>

<p>Well, to make a long story short, instead of filling in the section on immunization records, the nurse simply handed me a printout of the immunization records with no signatures, insisting that it would be fine. On the actual paper, she filled in only the spot for the meningitis vaccine, but incorrectly, inexplicably putting a checkmark in the first box of series intended for the date, and writing the date in the box where she was supposed to write her initials. The rest of the section was left blank. </p>

<p>The doctor merely slapped her signature in one place where it was required, failing to fill out any of the information such as the name and location of the hospital, and also failing to sign permission for me to play intramural sports. Today, I was most enraged to discover that questions I were never asked were answered for me in regards to potential TB exposure. Then, even though all questions were answered “no,” I was given an unnecessary PPD test, because the sheet very clearly stated that I didn’t need the test if none of the questions were answered “yes.” However, they repeatedly insisted to me that I needed it, and I mistakenly assumed that this was according to the directions on the sheet. It wasn’t.</p>

<p>Now, I have to wait until tomorrow to get my PPD checked so they can sign off on it, even though I didn’t need it in the first place. I could have had my forms in on time if they hadn’t at first scheduled me for the wrong kind of appointment, but they did, and I could have had them in on time if they hadn’t insisted on giving me a test I didn’t need. </p>

<p>I realize now that I should have read the forms more carefully, but I made the mistake of assuming that the people filling it out would actually read the directions instead of making assumptions. Right now I’m so frustrated and angry with their negligence that I can’t even see straight.</p>

<p>I guess what I’m asking is who is to blame. Is this my fault for not being more dilligent and informed, or were they negligent in failing to read my form and fill it out properly. Secondly, do you believe that I will be in trouble for turning in this form a day late, or is it more likely a somewhat arbitrary deadline? </p>

<p>Thank you guys so much in advance for your advice. I’m just at a loss for what to do, and I’m really so overwhelmed by taking care of this all myself right now.</p>

2

<p>I think you should take full responsibility. There is probably little pieces of blame to spread around, nothing happens in a vacuum. But if you can hook onto the idea that you need to be responsible for the end product at this point of your life, it will be a great life lesson and you will go far.</p>

<p>I think the term “negligence” in your subject line is a bit harsh. It certainly doesn’t get close to any of the legal ramifications of the word.</p>

<p>A few things you could have done - </p>

<p>Somehow you thought the nurse visit would be enough. It wasn’t. Lesson to learn - ask more than one person when dealing with any kind of administrative detail. This will save you a LOT of grief in college and beyond.</p>

<p>Your regular (?) doctor and/or the doctor you chose spoke poor English. This can affect a LOT more than just how a school form gets filled out - it can affect the quality of your healthcare. It is imperative you choose doctors that you feel you can communicate with clearly! Lesson learned - screen your doctors ahead of time BEFORE you have a health emergency or need one to perform up to basic standards in terms of communication.</p>

<p>You seemed to be aware sometime in the process that things were not being filled out completely or properly. Lesson learned - to verify these things immediately (while still in the office if possible.)</p>

<p>You seemed to not have a good grasp of what was asked for (types of tests, etc) on the paper. Lesson learned - ask LOTS more people until you feel clear - and THEN go to the doctor’s office. Also - if you disagree with what a doctor or nurse wants to do to you (tests or otherwise), tell them NO and/or get an advocate to help you out. </p>

<p>It is a bit much to expect a busy doctor’s office to know all the minor details of each and every form that needs to be signed off - it just doesn’t happen in the real world. It is much more realistic for each person coming in with yet another form (each college, school, scout troop, etc all asking for slightly different information) to do the necessary footwork and guide the doctor on the minor details. </p>

<p>If I had to come up with a “blame-o-meter” - I’d say that the results are 95% your own issues. If you are feeling overwhelmed, then keep asking questions or find a friend or parent who can read through the fine-print with you. This will not be the first time that forms won’t make any sense, so come up with a game plan that will help you when it comes up. Adults run into annoying forms and nit-picky rules in situations like taxes, financial aid, apartment leases, sub-prime mortgages, FDIC rules…note how many customers of Indymac Bank in the news today that are loosing thousands and thousands of dollars because they couldn’t figure out FDIC limits or how they get applied. Should bankers call up each depositor as soon as their balances get over 100,000 and “warn” them that the excess funds are not safe? In a perfect world, yes. In reality - never happens.</p>

<p>You probably will be able to call the school and simply tell them you ran into a problem and the forms will be in asap. Skip the details unless they ask - going into a blame game usually makes the blamer look bad. Let go of the anger against the healthcare providers - you didn’t do your share of the “homework” and thus the teamwork needed to make the forms happen smoothly wasn’t there. Doc and nurse were operating as normal - your performance was not sufficient. The anger just gets in the way of calmly reorganizing, contacting people, and getting the best outcome available at this late date.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Annika</p>

3

<p>I unfortunately had no choice as to my health care provider. This is the only hospital I can go to because it is the only one I can walk to, and this was the only doctor available. I do not have a regular physician because until only a short time ago we never had insurance, and I only saw the doctor once every few years, if that. </p>

<p>As for the lack of homework, I realize that is my fault. I should have been more informed about the tests, but when I attempted to ask about things I was brushed aside, and I felt that I had no other option but to listen to what they said.</p>

4

<p>I find that often the dr’s office does not fill in every blank. So I fill them in. (e.g. they will write my child’s name, but not his address.) Once the doctor has signed the bottom of the form, I have been known to fill in other missing data - for example, both my kids had chicken pox, not the varivax vaccine. So while the dr’s office simply checked off the box next to “disease” and neglected to fill in the date they had it, I filled in the date. etc.</p>

<p>I think the “deadline” for this stuff is a pretty soft deadline. In other words, send it in as soon as you can, but they’re not going to revoke your admission because your physical was a day late. I wouldn’t panic. Attach a note that says, “Sorry, this is the earliest appointment I could get” or such if you feel the need to, but I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>

<p>Take that typed list of vaccines and dates and staple it to the other form the dr filled out. In the section where the college wanted the vaccine info, either fill it out yourself or write “see attached” next to the blanks. Our pediatrician’s office actually refuses to fill out any specific camp/school physical forms. They have a standardized form they use and that’s what they give you at the physical. I used to take the “official” form from the camp or wherever, fill it in with the info from the pediatrician’s form, then where it asked for dr’s signature say, “See attached” and attach the pediatrician’s version. As parent, I would sign both forms. DS switched to an adult practitioner before college, and the adult dr’s office filled out the college’s form - but like your doctor, they gave us a print-out with the vaccine info. I filled in the college’s form and wrote “see attached” next to it, and attached the dr’s office print-out.</p>

5

<p>I have taken countless forms to my kids’ doctors… School forms, athletic forms, scout forms, college forms, etc. etc. I ALWAYS make sure they are filled out correctly. Often I’ll actually write down the info as the exam progresses, to make it easier for the nurse at the end. (“What was the blood pressure? Height? Weight?” etc.) Unlike the doctor or the assistants, I’ve had plenty of time to read this specific form. </p>

<p>I check what has to be filled out and signed by the doc, as opposed to filled out my me or my child (medical history, for example, is usually filled out NOT by the doctor, but by the patient.) Before we leave the office I double check.</p>

<p>Tough way to learn a lesson, but IMO, it’s not the doctor’s fault.</p>

6

<p>hyperJulie,</p>

<p>In some ways you are lucky - you are getting an experience with the healthcare system so that you can be better informed and more confident next time you need to interact with them. Assuming there will be no negative effects on your college entry because of late forms, this situation was annoying but manageable. The next time you need healthcare might be a real health issue - so the more you learn and plan, the better.</p>

<p>For example, you may want to save up an emergency fund so you can afford a taxi-ride to see the doctor of your choice. </p>

<p>Also, you should feel free to speak up loud and strong whenever you are in a hospital or doctor office setting whenever you think something is not going right - keep asking questions and stick around until some DOES answer your questions. For example, if you are in an ER situation and you don’t think you are getting proper care, speak up!</p>

<p>If you don’t feel confident in hospital settings, be sure to have an advocate - someone who can go with you and be an extra pair of eyes, ears and mouth!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Annika</p>

7

<p>Makes sense.</p>

<p>My big concern with the immunization record is that it asks for an initial by the health care professional next to each date. I’d be fine filling out the dates, but I’m concerned that the section with be invalid without the verifying initials.</p>

<p>I’m also very concerned about next year with having an advocate. I’m going away from home and my parents don’t drive, so they’ll have no way to come with me in a case of an emergency. I’m really going to be completely on my own.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. These are definite life lessons for the future.</p>

8

<p>Doctors initials are always illegible, but in my experience doctors always just attach their immunization record to the camp or college forms. It never seems to be a problem. It’s hard to ask questions when the doctor is rushing you, but it’s a skill worth learning. I’m still working on it!</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>I think right now, before you know anybody at college, you’re feeling as though you’re going to be completely alone. I think once you get to college, you’re going to find plenty of advocates for you to help you out in the case of an emergency.</p>

<p>I got a call from my roommate one night when she landed herself in the ER with a pretty bad shoulder injury back in college. I went straight over and stayed with her until she was discharged. I’ve done the same thing for numerous other friends who’ve had medical emergencies of one type or another (one broke his wrist, one got a series of bad migraines), and they’d have been there for me if something bad had happened to me. You won’t be alone!</p>

10

<p>My d got in a biking accident freshman year and injured the palms of both hands. Her friends got up early every morning and came over to help her shower, dress, do her hair and carry her books. My d took one of her friends to the medical center in the early hours when she got a bad case of strep throat. You will find help with all of your new friends. :)</p>

11

<p>You seem very resourceful. Lots of people in your situation wouldn’t even have thought of going online to find advice! I agree with the other posters that you will be able to make friends at school that will be able to help you. Also, if you live in dorms there are the RAs or floor leaders, and the student services should have counselors for more serious situtations. If you are off-campus, then joining clubs and doing ECs that interest you will be even more important and also expand your pool of friends as well as advisors. For general academic issues as well as career/job advice, you will likely be able to find several professors who would be able to be a mentor to you. </p>

<p>And you can always come on the CC boards and get a dozen or more voices giving you ideas and support as well!</p>

<p>Annika</p>

12

<p>The student health center on campus will also help you. Don’t worry!</p>

13

<p>Actually If you ask the nurse to stamp the immunization form if will be fine. You can even get a copy of your immunization records from your high school (they are either in your cumulative folder or on file at the nurses office) In NYC they are also available electronically through ATS. School stamps it and everything is ok. I pull them for my students through the ATS system, sign my name, stamp them with the guidance stamp and no one has had a problem yet.</p>

14

<p>Ahh. I’ll check it for the stamp, then.</p>

15

<p>It is customary for medical offices to copy immunization forms. Too much to rewrite for no reason. Have it stamped when you return to have the PPD read.
I doubt a college will care if you are a bit late with the forms, as long as they are there and checked by them before you arrive. If you are concerned, just call them.
As far as the PPD… that’s a good thing to have and usually required. It is a better test than the old tuberculosis tine test and used to diagnose and prevent (often drug resistant) TB from spreading. I’m surprised it was not required. Are you a freshman? Did they discuss or require the meningitis vaccine? Offer you the gardisal vaccine?
We had similar problems with my sons camp forms at the pediatrician. Partially filled out, no signature… glad I checked before leaving the office. In your case, you have to return anyway, so have them make the corrections then. (My sons college didn’t even have a medical form, just info on the meningitis vaccine).
If you are concerned with medical care at school, health services should have this information, however, you will most likely complete forms at the time of the visit. Always make sure to list any allergies. Also, tell your roommates/friends of allergies to meds/foods/asthma. Anything important that may need to be known about you in any emergency situation (or even non-emergency and you are nervous and forget.) (If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, etc, or a life-threatening allergy you should wear a medical bracelet with regard to this information (although from your post you seem not to have any medical condtion- just a thought to you and others).</p>