Berman - Figure 21 - Accurate Records in an Era of Mobility
One of my concerns, as we widen the screening interval, is the issue of follow up and having accurate, current records. If a woman comes in who is new to me, and I have no chart, what does it mean when she says, “I think I had a Pap two years ago”?
Well, hopefully the electronic medical record (EMR) will help. We also are seeing patient portals in many labs and EMRs with 24/7 online access to patient records, history and reports.
We need to help women know what is going on in their care. If you have a patient, and you are not using EMR, perhaps you can advise her of her results by giving her a copy of her results.
When we look at the transient nature of society, I have to wonder, “How will I know?” if I have a new patient who thinks she had a Pap, or isn’t sure if she has ever had an HPV test. Again, we can utilize and give patients a copy of their records.
