Question:
I made an appointment with a Sleep Doctor back in January, 1999,
finally got to see him last week of April. In my 15 minute visit for
$260.00 he told me I needed a sleep test as he suspected OSA. Any
question I asked he brushed off and said we'll talk after the test.
Test was 2 days first of May, 1st day I slept over, once I awoke I did
the Nap thing all day and the second day I slept with a CPAP.
Only thing tech would tell me was I had a few apeas but my blood
oxygen didnt fall.
After I slept with the CPAP I awoke to prescription in hand for a
machine and off I went...
Didn't hear anything from the Doctor as to my test or follow-up,
finally 5 days after test I called him and secretary made an
appointment for the middle of July!!!
I thought this was ridiculous that I should wait until July, 2 1/2
months after my sleep test to find out what exactly was wrong. I faxed
the doctor a note asking to speak with him about my test. No reponse,
refaxed 5 days later no answer?
Am I not entitiled to the results of this test???? How do I find out
what the results are??? I am currently using CPAP and I'm not even
sure if I have to.
Answer:
yes! you do have the RIGHT to review the findings of the sleep study.
You might want to check with the hospital / sleep lab for their copy of the
doctor's findings. Also, you might want to repeat your letter using
registered mail. When someone must sign for a document, it makes it harder
to 'ignore'. You can also use your insurance company to apply some
leverage. They have a vested interest in the information. And if you STILL
get no response, then it's time to lodge a complaint with (a) the hospital
where the sleep lab is located, (b) the sleep lab director, and (c) the
local medical ethics committee. All at the same time.
Unfortunately, it appears to me that you stumbled on doctor who doesn't know
the answer to the question:
Q: What's the difference between God and a doctor?
A: God knows he's not a doctor.
Make it clear that you are the PAYING customer. You have an absolute RIGHT
to your medical records. Don't let them bully you into not seeing the
results.
Call his office and ask that a copy of the test be sent to you. I did
and got mine in the mail. From there you will get your results and
also ask his clerk/nurse for his results/treatment. He had to write
one and ask for a copy of that also. It explains what the sleep test
said, for example, your apneas, hypopia, amount of time slept
and oxygen levels.
The wait times vary greatly from place to place and doctor to doctor.
I can get an appointment with my doctor in a week or so and a sleep
test in two weeks or so. Other places in the USA have longer waits --
but some are shorter. In other countries the waits can be even longer.
Got a refer from my GP in January to see the sleep disorder specialist. My
appointment with the sleep specialist was 2 months later in March.
The sleep disorder specialist refered me to the sleep disorder center. At
the sleep disorder center I volunteered to go on standby and had my 2 nights
in early April. The results were read to me over the phone 5 days later.
Three days later I had my CPAP.
My followup appoint with the sleep disorder specialist is 15 July.
Yes, the sleep disorder specialist does seem to be very busy. There is only
one that I know of at the clinic I went to. Except for the wait for the
appoints, I am very happy with both the sleep disorder specialist and the
sleep disorder center.
