Cases of Altered or Falsified Hospital Records
When health providers alter or falsify information on hospital records, it can negatively impact the patient’s care.
When patients receive care from medical professionals, nearly all aspects of their condition and treatment are documented on hospital records. These hospital records help the various medical professionals to create a care plan for the patient, and they can be used to prove medical malpractice when improper care is administered. Therefore, when health providers alter or falsify information on hospital records, it can negatively impact the patient’s care. Here’s what you need to know and how Cardaro & Peek can help you review your medical malpractice case.
What Information Goes Into Patient Medical Records?
Federal and state laws require health providers to maintain accurate documentation of each patient they see. When compiling the patient’s medical records, they must include medical history, medications, treatment plans, condition progress, and more. When false information is added, or unauthorized changes are made to hospital records, these actions go against protocol for patient treatment. As a result, altered hospital records can constitute medical malpractice.
The Dangers of Altered and Falsified Hospital Records
Healthcare providers who administer care to a patient based on incorrect information can harm the patient both physically and financially. Altered and falsified hospital records tend to cover up other issues concerning medical malpractice. Examples of issues include medication errors or failure to receive informed consent. Altered documentation can also lead to other issues, such as misdiagnosis or unnecessary treatments. In short, healthcare providers who negligently alter or falsify patient records create a chain of misinformation that directly impacts the treatment and care provided to the patient. The consequences can range from extra tests being performed, to the wrong procedure being performed, to treatment not being administered.
What Can Be Done?
Patients have the right to obtain and review their medical records. In general, gathering the hospital records that patients allege has been altered or falsified is not too difficult. What can be more challenging is gathering documents and evidence of unauthorized changes made to their records. Having expert witnesses review your case or collecting previously made hospital records can help prove improper alterations were made to patient documents. The process of reviewing these records and gathering evidence for a claim takes time and expert review. Hence, it’s imperative to contact an experienced malpractice attorney at The Law Offices of Cardaro & Peek as soon as you suspect your hospital records have been tampered with. Our staff includes medical professionals who can lend their expertise to your case review.
Contact The Law Offices of Cardaro & Peek, LLC Today
Do you believe that you or your loved one has suffered as a result of medical malpractice or medical neglect? You need to talk to an experienced team of local lawyers today.
The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek, LLC have the experience and resources necessary to investigate and litigate all types of medical claims throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Cardaro & Peek, LLC has medical personnel on staff and has access to nationally recognized, board-certified physicians and other experts, to assist in the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of all types of medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one have experienced malpractice, give us a call at 410-752-6166. Please visit our website www.cardarolaw.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn for more information.
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