I am Fuming:onfire:

Friday I got an xray on my knee that I fell on 8 days ago.

Today I cannot get the results because of the HIPPA laws. Radiology won't read it to me, my primary doctor's office won't read it to me, it can only come from the ordering physician, who is busy with patients right now and will call when he has a chance.

I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO READ IT TO ME! Don't answer questions, don't give medical advice READ!!!!!!!

It was bad enough that I had to leave the orhopedics office, he has an xray department, and drive 5 miles to be xrayed at my capitated site. insurance won't pay for his xray machine.

IS MY KNEE BROKEN OR WHAT?!!!!!

HIPAA should not prevent you from obtaining your information as long as the person releasing the information has made a reasonable effort to identify you. I have, however, seen personnel in medical offices try to use HIPAA to excuse a lack of service. I have also had office personnel tell me the law prohibits them from sending my records where I want them sent (this while I was standing there with a signed release in hand). So I do understand the frustration level. Sounds to me more that they are reluctant to read it because they don't want to take the chance you'll say they diagnosed you...

That stinks. I hope your knee is alright...have some healing ...

There is no sense getting angry about it. Laws are laws. They are there to protect your privacy. They don't know who the heck you are. Even if you give them the right personal information they don't have any guaranty that it's you on the telephone.

You should be happy that they are protecting your privacy and not just handing out information about you to anyone that calls!

That being said, the xray techs are not permitted to give out test results. Their job is to take the xray and process it, that's it. Even a nurse who has way more medical training than an xray tech, can't give out certain test results to people unless it's been prior approved by the doctor to do so. Xrays and biopsy tests are 2 examples.

You waited 8 days to go for an xray, waiting a few more hours to hear from your doctor about the results makes no difference.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

There is no sense getting angry about it. Laws are laws. They are there to protect your privacy. They don't know who the heck you are. Even if you give them the right personal information they don't have any guaranty that it's you on the telephone.

You should be happy that they are protecting your privacy and not just handing out information about you to anyone that calls!

That being said, the xray techs are not permitted to give out test results. Their job is to take the Cray and process it, that's it. Even a nurse who has way more medical training than an Cray tech, can't give out certain test results to people unless it's been prior approved by the doctor to do so. Xrays and biopsy tests are 2 examples.

You waited 8 days to go for an xray, waiting a few more hours to hear from your doctor about the results makes no difference.

Click to expand...

I waited 5 days to get xrayed, 3 days to get the results. Quite frankly, I don't give a bean who knows about the test results. That being said, the radiology department faxed them to Staples, at my request, where I paid 2 bucks for the fax, and my knee is not cracked. They can fax it anywhere you ask, but will not read the result "normal knee" to you. That makes no sense at all, and it shows a lack of common sense, it is ridiculous, and dangerous. I went to the doc because after 5 days it was apparent it wasn't getting any better, and most likely it was an injury that needed prompt treatment . Glad to know I was not causing further injury to a crack in the bone, because my "privacy" was being protected. As it is, it is an injured ligament that will heal in its own time. The doctor called at 6 pm to tell me, but anyone could have read the report to me before then and saved me a trip to staples, and eased my mind.

Sometimes patience is a virtue...I know that you had waited, but if it had been something more severe you can be sure that the doctor probably would have called you when the results got in; even sooner than the 3 days you were given. I know doctors offices can be frustrating, but IMHO there are much worse things going on in this world to be mad at than a nurse or office person not answering your questions "right" when you call...chances are the doctor had originally wanted to talk to you about what to do next in healing your ligament, and that is why he didn't just want things 'released' to you...who knows...

Hope your knee gets better fast!

Things must be very different in the US. Here in Canada, as Linda says, X-Ray Technicians or Technicians doing any tests are DEFINITELY NOT allowed to even discuss your X-rays or tests with you. This is done ONLY with your doctor. I'm also pretty sure if your knee was broken, you wouldn't have been able to walk around on it for five days before getting x-rayed - it probably would have been far too painful.

Sometimes the medical folks don't consider our ailments to be as serious as we consider them. It certainly can be frustrating I agree.

OUCH! Hope your knee gets better soon hun