1. Some doctors offices do not have registered or licensed nurses on staff. They have untrained, uneducated, and unprepared people who they refer to as nurses. Ask your provider is his assistant an RN or LPN. You might be surprised and disappointed in the answer. If they are not licensed nurses, you are being deceived. It is actually against the law to practice nursing without a license and it puts you as a patient at great risk.
2. You should take your medications including the over-the-counter non prescription medications in the original bottles to every doctor's visit and ER visit. There is information on the label that is important to the medical staff. List are not effective. For refrigerated medicines, just bring the box.
3. Your medical record is a legal document. When you willingly mislead your medical team, you are only harming yourself.
4. You should arrive early for your doctor's appointment to complete paperwork. Completing paperwork can put you 30 to 45 minutes behind which in turn puts the doctor behind.
5. When you see a specialist, make sure all records pertaining to your illness/condition arrive before your appointment time. For instance if you are seeing a cardiologist, she will need EKG, H&P (history and physical), recent labs, any testing e.g. ECHO, peripheral testing/scans, heart cath, CT scans. Sending your health care records helps your doctor treat you more effectively and efficiently. It will save you time and money by not repeating test.
6. If a doctor is going to perform any testing or treatments, it is his/her legal responsibility to inform you before you sign anything. Ask questions about the testing or treatments. Make sure you fully comprehend before you sign the consent.
Great info.. Never thought about the people helping...Thank you.
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