Check Ups

Hoping I can get some help. When your pacemaker is interogated does your clinic give you any kind of report...should they if I ask be willing to? Also how often do you have your pacemaker interrogated?I feel like my cardiologist has limited involvement and most of my checkups are just with electrophysiologist...Considering finding new doctors. Any suggestions for Dallas, Texas..?

4 Comments

follow up

by Tracey_E - 2016-02-17 01:02:20

If your only problems is electrical, it's appropriate for most of your contact to be with the ep. An ep is a cardiologist first, electrical training is in addition to all the other training a cardiologist gets.

When mine is interrogated, the only person I see is the SJM rep. If there is a problem, the doctor will call me but I usually only see him once a year unless there is a problem. My condition is stable and I feel great, so that's plenty.

They should give you a copy of the report if you ask. Some offices are easier about it than others.

Records

by BillH - 2016-02-17 04:02:48

You are entitled to a complete copy of your medical records. Or specific reports as needed.

But you have to ask for it.

I don't know specifics of how pacemaker interrogations go or who the clinic works for.

But when I have had something like a 30 day monitor it is done through the cardiologist and I can get a copy of the report from his office.

Echo's and stress test used to be done the same way in the doctors office.

Now they are done in an outpatient clinic across the hall. In that case while the techs can answer some question, but not give specifics.

A doctor needs to read the data and make a report. I can get a copy of that report through the hospital records department.

And an electrophysiologist is a cardiologist that has specialized in electrical problems.

Depending on you cardiac conditions you migh not need to be seen anymore by a "regular" cardiologist or very minimal following.

Thank you!

by debbie21 - 2016-02-17 04:02:55

Thank you I appreciate the response!

It's yours

by Zia - 2016-02-18 06:02:24

As noted by Tracey, et al above, you are entitled to a copy of any and all your medical records. Sometimes getting it is a hassle, but the magic word is "HIPAA" (not sure if I spelled that right) That's the law that guarantees you that right and defines penalties for anyone not providing you with the info.

The first time I asked the tech running the interrogation for a copy of the printout that it was making, he just laughed and said "you couldn't read it". Well, that got my attention and I told him ... well, in better language than I used then, "it doesn't matter if I read it or wipe with it, it's mine and I want it". Now, six years later, I still have to ask for it, but get no more smart remarks.

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