Had to meet with my new Urologist. During this meeting, the Doctor noted without any mention by me, that he understood I was a sports shooter. That caught be me by surprise since I'd never met him before. BTW, the Urologist has a Shotgun sports interest which is why he mentioned it.

Years ago, along with asking if had stairs in my house, slippery floors etc. (other over 60 year old questions), my primary doctor had asked the during my annual physical about firearms in the home. I mentioned I had several, belong to several ranges, was an RSO and shot matches each weekend. It was a pleasant conversation and we never discussed it again.

Apparently, its noted in my medical record. Recently, I've heard that the permanency of medical notes and one should be careful of what or how much is revealed in response to a question. Yes, I could have refused to answer the question a few years ago but, I didn't. He's been my primary doc for over 20 years and we have a good relationship.

My point is to be careful. IMHO, medical records and notes are permanent and can be used in a variety of ways. Red Flag laws could be one example I suppose and we have that in Washington State along with another that allows disclosure to the State of a firearm purchase.

I guess you could request that it be stricken from your medical record. I do not see how the fact that you own firearms would have any bearing on red flag laws. I bet lots of other folks know that you have guns.

If they are making conversation because they know you and have a genuine interest, fine. You could ask them not to write it down.

If the doc is basically a stranger, and asking because they are under the spell of the AMA which considers this a health issue, tell them to pound sand.

I just don't understand how any of this is relevant to be captured in medical records.

Any information discussed that is not relevant to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment shouldn't be captured as medical history.

But point taken - I'll not be discussing anything w/ doctors outside of the 3 things above.

In states with Red Flags laws, Doctors, among others, can red flag you.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes I suppose so. Psychologists and Psychiatrists can also sign Commitment Affidavits. If it bothers you ask that it be removed from your record.

^^^

So, asking you directly.
Are you able in your practice/business to report/enter specific information as part of any patient's permanent medical records?

And if so, does the entering of information specific to an individual's ownership or use of firearms, if not specific and germane to their case, something you will or would push back as a requirement of you/your practice/business?

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
If the doc is basically a stranger, and asking because they are under the spell of the AMA which considers this a health issue, tell them to pound sand.

And then they could say, "Pt. became belligerent when asked about guns in the home."

Just say, "Nope."

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Are you able in your practice/business to report/enter specific information as part of any patient's permanent medical records?

If they have an EMR, anything documented in their history is available to be seen across said system. It's kind of scary, but I (and pretty much anyone working in healthcare these days) have the ability to rifle through (illegally) anyone's permanent medical record within the PNW region if they are seeing any provider using EPIC or CERNER EMRs.

HIPAA be damned, it is VERY insecure.

quote:

So, asking you directly.
Are you able in your practice/business to report/enter specific information as part of any patient's permanent medical records?

And if so, does the entering of information specific to an individual's ownership or use of firearms, if not specific and germane to their case, something you will or would push back as a requirement of you/your practice/business?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The record belongs to the patient and not the hospital. Without a subpoena or a written release from the patient no such information disclosed.

It seems as if we have a hodge podge of laws where neighbors can report neighbors. People who claim they are victims of domestic violence can report in some states. IMHO it is over reaching and inappropriate. Red flags laws are ineffective.

On the lighter side of this topic my records must show I have painted toe nails.

I went to the dermatologist and was not thinking the day before my 3 yr old daughter painted the nail on my big toe.

Dr. said she had to note my painted nail since women have been known to have undetected cancer hidden by nail polish.

I have always been leery about anyone in the medical area asking about firearms.
Except for my now retired eye doctor (a great conservative and we had many common interests) of 40 years, I have never mentioned a word or would even consider it.
Me - I am always on the look out due to my paranoia but my fear is my naïve wife and I have to constantly reminder her that mum is the word.
Be careful all is all I can say.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:...

You did not answer my questions I asked you.

If you choose not to, that is your right.

Somewhat off topic, I wonder how men in my red flag state who may be going through a divorce or, unbeknownst to them about to go through a divorce, deal with a vengeful future ex-wife who might like to use a Red Flag law out of spite. For that matter, it doesn't even need to be a future ex-wife, could be a current live-(or non live-in) girl friend who feels jilted or whatever and wants to report it to the Police.

Ultimately, there is a hearing but I'd think you'd be spending about $5k to attend it with an attorney in order to prevent it.

Ive been having a similar issue with my Advantage plan insurer.

They don’t take no for an answer easily. Last time they called I got kind of short with them and asked “Who do I speak to in regards to getting you guys off my back? I don’t want on need these.”

That so far had done the trick.

quote:

Somewhat off topic, I wonder how men in my red flag state who may be going through a divorce or, unbeknownst to them about to go through a divorce, deal with a vengeful future ex-wife who might like to use a Red Flag law out of spite. For that matter, it doesn't even need to be a future ex-wife, could be a current live-(or non live-in) girl friend who feels jilted or whatever and wants to report it to the Police.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah that is part of the problem. When they started charging 500 bucks to file a Commitment Affidavit the reporting went way down.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
HIPAA be damned, it is VERY insecure.

At least HIPAA still provides remedies against violations, and don't EPIC and CERNER systems both still require a user to "break the glass", as it were, to access patient records they're not assigned to?

Not arguing your point, but at least there's a built-in audit trail.

The bigger problem, IMO, is .gov use (at any level), which will never be considered illegal by .gov.

-Rob

One thing I learned from an ex-girlfriend is to answer a question with a question. Always worked for me.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
HIPAA be damned, it is VERY insecure.

At least HIPAA still provides remedies against violations, and don't EPIC and CERNER systems both still require a user to "break the glass", as it were, to access patient records they're not assigned to?

Not arguing your point, but at least there's a built-in audit trail.

The bigger problem, IMO, is .gov use (at any level), which will never be considered illegal by .gov.

-Rob

"Break the glass" is only put on if the patient requests it. I had it put on mine after a nurse was caught going through my records (she was fired for it). The only thing it does, though, is make it easier to track who looked at you. It doesn't prevent anyone from looking.

ETA: At least in my area (not sure if system-wide) psychiatric records are all behind a "break the glass" wall. Those are the only ones though. They are still simple to access by entering your login and password again.

Doc: Do you have any firearms at home?

Patient: Doc do you mean those evil killing machines we see all over the news? OMG NO I don't have any of those! Why would anyone have such an evil killing machine?

Doc: Writes NO down

Patient: Inwardly smiles because he/she does not have any evil killing machines!!!! None of mine have ever thought about or taken action to be evilly used. They just sit there, and nothing can be done to make them misbehave.
.

My PCP had a patient survey question: "If you have any firearms in your home, are they securely stored?" Answer choices: yes/no/not applicable. My N/A answer (since this has nothing to do with my health) got my medical record (as shown in the "patient portal") annotated "no guns in home." It's all about the feels.