Why can't patients have ongoing access to their pacemaker reports?

I don't understand why patients cannot access a report on their pacemaker activities to determine if anything out of the ordinary is going on.

I bet more people would live if this kind of medical monopoly that excludes the patient was changed.

I hesitate to call my doctor when I feel lightheaded because I know how long I'll have to wait to get through the switchboard. Then, I have to wait for someone else to respond. The whole process can take days.

If it's nothing, then I'm the "Boy Who Cried Wolf".

If it's something--bradycardia or afib--and I knew that from examining my pacemaker report, then I'd either go to the hospital or the doctor immediately.

The system feels so very broken to me.

 

 


5 Comments

Pacemaker reports

by AgentX86 - 2018-10-11 08:36:06

I believe the reports are available to you,  like any other medical record. Many, here, have said that the get them to compare from interrogation to interrogation. Your cardiologist gets copies of these reports for review and they're flagged for him if there is anything "interesting" in them. Most of what's in there is highly technical minutiae and likely not understood by many. That's what you're paying your doctor for.

That said, if you're feeling something new that worrying you, you really need to report it to your doctor ASAP. He can't help if he doesn't know about it. He knows your history and can judge whether or not you need to be seen for this or perhaps not if it's known or expected. If something bothers you, I can't see that a few minutes waiting on the phone is a big deal. Sometimes they're busy and will call back but it's no reason to go nuts over it.

Every Time

by MartyP - 2018-10-11 08:45:33

I ask for and get a complete printout of the interogation every time I see my EP.  They are technical, but over time I've learned a little about some of the readings.  If you ask for the report and they don't want to give it to you, perhaps you need to find another EP.

reports

by islandgirl - 2018-10-11 10:14:00

My EP usually sends me text if I send a transmission or he downloads one himmself.  

I have an ICD and have been having problems with atrial tachycardias and high fluid levels.  I do have it set up to receive a text when the Carelink is downloaded, so I know when my EP does a download.  

I agree it would be easier for me to look at information during these times I'm having problems. I assume he gets an alert when he downloads the ICD report.  

Some issues may not show on reports...

by BOBTHOM - 2018-10-11 16:33:55

I have the same problem with virtually any test.  I need to go to the records department at a completely different location and fill out a form, after which they gladly print it out and hand it to me.  I like having a copy of the interogation before seeing my cardiologist so that I can have an intelligent conversation with him.

The other side of it is if something is happening but it's not on the report.  Your doctor still needs to know what's going on.  If you don't see anything on the report you may not tell your doctor and then neither of you know that there is a potential problem brewing.  I have an issue now where I will get a serous run of tachycardia, but the max sustained rate is below what the ICD picks up, reports, or "provides therapy" for.   It's important that your doctor know there is still an issue.  I had that exact conversation today.  They are working on changing settings so that it picks it up and reports it at a slower rythm, but does NOT provide therapy, at least not until we figure out what's going on.

get a printout

by dwelch - 2018-10-16 12:08:25

I get a printout every time.  Now that is not my whole medical history I would argue and assume I can gain some sort of access to my medical history but have not tried, the report I get every time.

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