How to maintain your medical records

Keeping track of your medical records can be a daunting task. As your health becomes more complicated, it is important to maintain your own copy of these records. This information will be invaluable to your doctors when you travel, if you have to visit an emergency room or when you visit a clinic for the first time. Create a file that includes your current medical conditions, medication list, past medical and family histories, and other supporting documents. Your file should be reviewed by your primary physician every year. Many online services are available to track this information electronically.

Things You'll Need

• 8 1/2-inch-by-11-inch manila envelope
• Accordion folder
• Most recent EKG
• Radiology reports
• Laboratory reports

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Instructions

• 1

  A list of medical conditions should be comprehensive.

  Make a list of your current medical conditions. For example, conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease should be on the list. This cover page also should list your full name, address, emergency contact and blood type.

• 2

  More than prescription medication should be listed.

  Make a list of all medications you currently take. Note the exact dose and time of day that you take them. This list should include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements. In bold letters or using a different color ink, include your medication allergies and the specific reaction each of them caused.

• 3

  Your past medical history is key.

  Outline your medical history. List all your major hospitalizations, prior medical conditions not on your current medical conditions list and past surgeries (with the exact date and names of surgeons). Also describe current or past tobacco, alcohol and drug use.

• 4

  Some medical conditions are hereditary.

  Investigate your family history. List all diseases that run in your family, including genetic conditions, heart disease in young people (under 60 years old) and different types of cancer.

• 5

  Your cardiac history should include test reports.

  Describe your cardiac history. If you have any history of heart disease, or if you ever had a cardiac evaluation, include your most recent electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram report and/or angiogram report.

• 6

  Radiology reports cover several tests.

  Include the radiology reports for all X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound you have undergone.

• 7

  Laboratory reports provide vital information.

  Include blood and urine analysis from the past year and all other laboratory test results that were abnormal over your lifetime.

• 8

  Review the records with your doctor yearly.

  Review your personal medical records with your primary physician. You should do this annually and ask him to update or correct them as needed.

• 9

  Store a copy of the records at home.

  Keep a copy of your medical records at home in a safe place. Take it with you if you need emergency care or when you visit a new health-care provider.

• 10

  Your next of kin should know your wishes.

  Give a copy of your medical records to your next of kin or health-care proxy. When you do this, discuss what kind of care you would like if you have a terminal condition. If you are incapacitated, your family or proxy will have to decide what level of care you would want, such as prolonging life on a respirator and artificial feeding.