Medical records and documentation are a key component in any negligence claim involving an injury. Clients may benefit from thinking of their medical providers as both treater and documentarian of their injuries and pain.
Even during a pandemic, this holds true. But concerns about visiting a doctor’s office right now are valid. With this in mind, here are some things you can do even if you can’t get in to see your provider.
- First and foremost, if you think you need to be seen in the emergency room, go. Emergency rooms are still operating and have set up procedures to handle patients safely while simultaneously responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- If you had a scheduled appointment that was cancelled or postponed, ask your provider if they are offering telemedicine appointments. Many providers are turning to technology to accomplish routine follow-up and diagnostic appointments that otherwise would have been held in person.
- If you can’t get a formal virtual appointment, still call to update your provider with information about how you are feeling and any symptoms you are experiencing. Be sure to ask that they enter the information into your chart as a phone note so it is properly documented.
- Call your provider and make sure they know you would like to be seen as soon as possible after social distancing restrictions are relaxed.
- If you were completing in-person physical therapy that has been discontinued but you are now doing a home exercise program instead, consider keeping your own records of what exercises you did each day and how those exercises made you feel just like the physical therapist would do.
- As always, it is a good idea to keep simultaneous notes of how you are feeling. Consider including how the current global pandemic is affecting your recovery, appointments, or your emotional wellbeing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our attorneys. We’re here as always to answer your questions and to provide guidance as you navigate your recovery in these uncertain times.