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I have been reading this forum for the last few months after we moved my father into an ALF in North Carolina. The advice and guidance has been extremely helpful. Now I have a situation that I would love insight on.
My father moved into an ALF in February. He wasn't happy about but he did it.
I kind of knew we should move him to a different one about a month later because I felt like they weren't giving him the care they should have been and I was being told a couple of lies by the care supervisor.
My dad was against moving so we didn't pursue it.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and the "care nurse" (not associated with the ALF) said he should go to the ER and that if she were the director she would be calling the ambulance. Of course, we agreed and he was sent to the hospital. He was there for a week and is now in a rehab facility where he will be for about 5-6 weeks.
We gave notice to the ALF that he will not be returning. I have asked them for a copy of his medical records and any notes they have so he can have continuity of care.
This is where there has been a little push back. They are saying they have to ask their legal department about it and not returning texts or phone calls.
Has anyone had to get medical records from one of these places and if so, has it been a problem?
I never had to move my Mom from her ALF (she was there for 5 years); however, I never had trouble getting access to her health care records either. The nurses were very forthcoming about her treatment, and always discussed matters with me if they planned to recommend, with Mom's doctor's approval, any change in medications for her Alzheimers. I'd be very leery about your Dad's facility being so non-transparent about his medical info. Do you have Medical POA for your father so that they can legally turn the records over to you?
When Hubby moved to a new facility the old place gave everything to the nurse at the new facility as soon as she asked for it. On his last day they gave me his most recent medication chart, and other things, to take with us to the new place.
I never had to move my Mom from her ALF (she was there for 5 years); however, I never had trouble getting access to her health care records either. The nurses were very forthcoming about her treatment, and always discussed matters with me if they planned to recommend, with Mom's doctor's approval, any change in medications for her Alzheimers. I'd be very leery about your Dad's facility being so non-transparent about his medical info. Do you have Medical POA for your father so that they can legally turn the records over to you?
If Dad is still mentally competent I would write a written request signed by him asking for his own medical record. CC a lawyer in the letter if you have one.
Question: some ALF's have their own onsite nursing services, including rehab, etc. Other's do not but instead contract with an outside service. The first kind would typically have a nursing/rehab wing, while the latter would not. Which kind is your father's ALF?
If they do not provide their own nursing service, they may be proscribed from giving out your father's medical information because it is not their information to share. You may need to get it from the contracted service provided.
Whenever your parent goes into a facility, be it an ALF or the hospital, have them sign to authorize the nurses and doctors to talk to you. This worked very well for us, without having a POA.
It's probably that YOU aren't authorized. But they cannot refuse to provide his medical records to HIM or to another medical professional/place. (his rehab).
Every time my ALF clients had to even go to the ER (or doctor appointment) they actually SEND their records on the ambulance/transit/whoever with the resident.
I agree with a letter if your dad is able (you can type it and just have him sign it)...and I'd deliver it in person and by registered mail.
Thank you for the replies. My father is still mentally competent. I am not his medical POA (I am just part of the HIPPA waiver) my 2 brothers are. Thankfully one of them lives here in NC and is involved with everything. Funny thing is I asked for his medication and they hand over all of that right away. I didn't have to sign anything.
We moved all of dads stuff out yesterday but his official last day there is the 21st. I did not turn in the keys or the button yet. We are seeing if they are going to handover the records or not. We really feel like they are trying to hid something.
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