Hi,
I'm 35 weeks pregnant with my second child and wish to try a VBAC. But the doctor needs the operative report to decide if I'm eligible since I had my first child through a cesarean section in March 2009.
I have contacted the hospital and the earlier doctor (I'm seeing a different doctor and delivering at a different hospital for my second pregnancy) and both have said that they do not have the operative report in my medical records.
Has anyone been in this situation? Would appreciate any suggestions on any other possible ways to get hold of the operative report? Thanks.
Hi,
Thank you all for all the suggestions.
I met the supervisor of the hospital’s medical records dept. Their response was since I had a C-section under spinal and not general anesthesia, it is not compulsory to maintain an operative report.
However they will be checking the transcription department for any recordings. Also came to know that they destroy hard (paper) copies after 3 months once uploading the data on their system.
It’s kind of weird that they mentioned the responsibility of OP report lies with the doctor, and when I spoke with the Dr.’s office, they were saying hospital is responsible for completing the medical chart and unless it is complete they will not discharge you after the surgery. I’m following up with the doctor and see how it goes.
I did ask for my entire medical records, Dr.’s office said that they have to check with the Dr. before handing copies to me. I’ll be collecting all my medical records from the hospital/Dr.’s office in a few days for which I need to pay.
@AZneomom - I did show Primary low traverse cesarean section, which was written in my discharge papers to one of the Dr. in the new practice, but the Dr. said it’s not sufficient and needs to know the type of incision on the uterus. I’m planning to meet other Dr.’s in the new practice.
Appreciate any further suggestions. Also please let me know if I’m missing anything. Thanks
Did you talk to someone in medical records? If they don't have it, many times older records are sent to storage facilities off the campus. Maybe ask about that?
I'd be surprised if your old OB didn't have it. Maybe you could try the pediatrician? Could be in the birth record of your first child's chart.
Otherwise, I'm not really sure. Medical records can be a pain to track down or get responses about. Good luck!
Go to medical records at the hospital where you had your c section, sign a release. They have to have it. It's probably on film at this point.
My records were mixed up with someone else of the same name (different middle initial, different DOB) - so ask if your old doctor has another patient by the same name, and have her file checked. They'll tell you it's not possible, but as I sat in the exam room waiting and waiting, I took a look at my own file to see when I was last there, etc. Lo and behold, there were all kinds of reports, notes about calls, and prescription info for this other D..
And I agree you should check with the medical records department of the hospital directly, and suggest a possible typo or mis-file. Can you ask if anesthesiology keeps a separate report? It might not be complete, but it might have a transposed patient account number or other error that would help you track your info.
Your new doc just needs to know that your c section was a low transverse incision. Your old doc can probably tell him that without the report, as few doctors do any other type of incision outside a major medical emergency.
If you have any questions about what it is like to have a VBAC, I am happy to share about mine, just PM me :)
I would ask the previous ob for a copy of your entire medical record. Then you can go through it yourself and see what all is there. If nothing helpful to your new ob is there, then do the same with the hospital. They must have some record of your appointments, labor and delivery and you are entitled to a copy (HIPAA laws require them to give you copies of your records).
If your old doc AND the hospital both say they don't have it then chances are it was never recorded.
i was trying to get some records from a mri that i had. every place that i called to find these records said that they destroy all records that are 5 years old. unless its still a condition that is being monitored. maybe thats why that record is missing?
