Hey yall,

This question is probably for Irisheyes but I thought I'd post it here rather than doing a PM just for information sake. But my husband's blood pressure has been real high lately and they put him on different meds. I am wondering why they changed them. I mean before his blood pressure seemed okay. Then they fiddle with his meds and change him (seems they do this periodically) and then it's up. I would like to find out why and I can't get any info over the phone. His unit team said no info given over the phone cuz they can't verify who I am. He said assuming he's got you on the list we'll call you if there's an emergency. What a @*#^. First making me feel like my husbnd wouldn't even have me on the list... :( then the old we'll call you, don't call us attitude. Well I can't go there cuz I work m-f 9-6. But they will not give me info in person either I understand. So what is my legal recourse. How can I obtain his records and when I get them then what do I do with them. I feel so helpless. I am really concerned about his very high blood pressure. Is there anything I can do or should do?..Or will my prying worsen his condition.

Michelle,

All KDOC inmates have access to a release form regarding health matters, both physical and mental. Once it is signed and filled out by the inmate, it goes into their "chrono" (permanent) file, and will be referred to anytime a person calls to ask about that inmate's status. The form usually needs to be updated every 90 days, so keep that in mind.

Now, I am not married to Shawn....yet he put that release in MY name, and I have never had a problem obtaining current info on his heath status (not counting the times they couldn't FIND the form, of course :rolleyes: ). Anyone who tells you they can't give that info is just a lazy*ss employee who doesn't want to put forth any effort.

Have your hubby fill out a Form 9, stating he wants to have a medical release placed in his file. Once he gets the release sent back to the records dept., you should be all set. If you need more help, I have an excellent contact in Topeka, and I'd be more than happy to call him for you, to straighten this mess out.

(((hugs)))

Sue

Hiya,I just wanted to say a piece on your question,as far as signing the form it's all well and good but i have had first hand dealings with the D.O.C. in El Dorado Kansas,my brother was in the infirmary there,he was in Ellsworth until July of 2004 after they (meaning Ellsworth)decided that he was really sick,it was one nurse that knew he needed help ,help they could not give him you see my brother William Price a.k.a.Smokie had Hep-c and by the time he was sent out he was dealing with cirrhosis in the end stages.He signed one of the forms when he got to ElDorado of course they will only tell you what they want you to know for example one thur. they did blood work it sat in the frezzer until the next Tuesday of course it was no good by then with liver illness you have to have blood work done bout everytime ya turn around i asked about his lab work i was told by one nurse that they had not gotten it back yet,i knew it was not true as i had made a friend in the infirmary one of the aidsshe told me they had forgot ?to send it out that Thursday and that they would draw it again the following week,so when i say they can and will tell you only what they want you to know ,the dr. they have at ElDorado is hired in thru a contract company and the people that work in the infirmary are only puppets and thats where my problem comes in they made my brother a lab rat all in the name of research at wesley medical center thats where they take them when they are dying,trying to get his records is like pulling teeth my parents had power of att. over health and other and all they have gotten is the run around i hope you are able to have better luck then we have had my brother died Feb.1.2005 in my home thats the one thing i will say i was able to get him out of there

Often, meds will change because most states' DOC formulary is driven by what is cheapest...name brand vs. generic. Sometimes new drugs will be given from the formulary and they are not really appropriate but they have to try to keep the cost down according to the budget. Others have stated the obvious in that you will need to have a release form signed by the inmate in question or they will tell you nothing. Prying will not do him more harm or worsen his condition as you probably have already figured out that DOC more readily responds to family members who make BIG damn fuss, and I mean BIG. Write anyone who can read to advise them of your person's condition and this includes congressmen and governors. You may want to contact NibbleMaster for some legal advice on this too. Good luck and be persistent...the fainthearted never got anything their way !!

Hi Michelle,
My brother had to sign a notized release form regarding health matters.
They also have changed my brother meds and some of them he don't even get now.
I have joined the jeffdicks.org/ and I will be trying to help Inmates In Kansas and Missouri I think when there is Medical Abuse,Abuse In Prisons.
Hope everything works out for your husband.
Keep on them about his health.
Best to you both.

Went to check out jeffdicks.org and the domain has expired. Get some links which are not what I wanted to see.:eek:

Correctional institutions are not mandated by HIPAA, but they must keep patient confidentiality. That is not new.

Any Patient Medical Information still has to be protected especially if it is BH info, all medical records and other health information provided by health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers must comply with HIPAA, so the patient can request medical records and or sign release to be given to a third party that is not a Health care provider, Health Plan etc... that has to do with payment or Health Risks. Most inmate information is public but Health Information is not justfor the open public, however....Health plans, doctors, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other covered entities generally should provide access these records within 30 days and may charge patients for the cost of copying and sending the records.

Inmates
If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release your PHI to the correctional institution or law enforcement official.

My husband is in Avenal and I need the number fo the medical form for release of his medical records. Does any one know what that would be.???