school wants medical records??

superdog · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 116

School has been in session since august 4th here, and i just got a call yesterday that the school wants me to sign a release of medical records for my son. i went to the school in person and said I under NO circumstances will release my sons medical records, I have given you a note from the dr. and also a list of his symptoms and what happens etc. she still wanted me to release my sons records. i said no but I will bring in another note from the dr. stating his problem and his reaction to gluten, and yes the school sent home a note with the other little girl with the same thing. the thing that really pissed me off was that the school told the kids they would be rewarded when they bring back the papers. i was so irate, so when i told my son no you are not bringing this back he got upset. how in the heck do i explain that to my kid??

my issue is medical records are private, and its none of their business. the records didnt say for this condition only, it only said a medical release.

maybe venting but i wanted to hear from more experienced people around here. thanks in advance!!
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Gluten is my cryptonite

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4960 Location: Nebraska

His medical records are private, just like yours are. I would think a note from the doc would be enough. Are they threatening to not believe you or something?

The reward doesn't surprise me. Your school didn't reward you for bringing back papers signed by mommy and daddy? I would tell him you didn't agree with what the paper said, so you couldn't sign it.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
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cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 3380 Location: Washington State

Did they say why they wanted the medical records? Are they setting up a care plan or 504/IEP? I don't see what right they would have to the records, or why they would need them. Even when we did our 504 plan for my son's motor coordination disorder, I did not have to do a medical records release. I just brought in the relevant reports from the doctor, nerologist and OT. You have already done this with your doctor's note. Sounds like they are on a fishing expedition. I would absolutely not give them a medical records release.

As far as returning the paper goes, I would tell my son that I would be returning it to the office. If they refuse to give him the reward when I returned the unsigned document to them, I would give him a better reward myself.
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-Colleen

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jeant · Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 274

I absolutely wouldn't sign such a release. If they insisted, I would attend the next school board meeting and publicly discuss this outrageous request. If that didn't work, I'd tell them the next time they hear from me it would be through my lawyer (which might scare them enough so that you don't actually need a lawyer).

Kathie · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 1018 Location: Florida

In the age of HIPPA regulations it sure takes nerve for them to ask such a thing. What possible good would his records do anyway? I would guess at best they might have some school nurse to interpret them, that should be interesting. I'm with you, I wouldn't give permission either.
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nancw · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 1182 Location: Denver, CO

States have requirements for schools to have immunization records provided by parents/guardians, and procedures to follow to be granted exemption to those who do not immunize. Could it be they want your child's immunization records only? As we all know, one's understanding of the term "medical records" can differ from another person's (I'm talking about the school here, not you). You may want to clarify this, and if you desire an exemption from providing those records, investigate those requirements.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

kb9oyo · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: Medical Records

Where I do agree that your son's medical records are private, I guess that I might ask what are you so concerned about that they might see? Is there some other condition that affects your son's ability to succeed in school that they should know about? Would they be better able to help your son succeed in school if they knew more about him? What is their purpose in asking for **his** records more than what is normally given in regular school check ups? It feels like we are missing part of the rest of the story. If they just need to know more about Celiac Disease, give them the InterNet websites.

Sue B.
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Sue Beyer

superdog · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 116

Thanks for the replies guys/gals. I talked with the other gluten free childs mom at school and she is just as concerned. the paper they sent home to us is a medical release---all records. I spoke with the school nurse and asked her why she wanted them she said so we know how to treat your son if he gets glutened. I calmly said--YOU have a drs. note and instructions on what happens when he is glutened and how to care for him, then she said but it will help us train the teachers, um ok all well and good but you dont need my sons medical records to educate teachers on celiac. I then told her that I would go back to the drs. and get another note and a list of symptoms and how to treat, then she said well what happens if i cant get a hold of you and i need a dr if he swells up i said if he is swelling up he would be having an allergic reaction to something and you will have to call 911.

when the district nurse called i was half asleep, and said oh i have the drs. note from the beginning of the school year she said oh that would be great, oh but i dont need that with the medical release. i dont know what the heck they need records for from both the kids, but i say no.

i make my sons lunch everyday, and on tasting days me and the other mom take turns on who brings the snacks in for our gf kids.

the other mom was also not to happy about this and suggested we go talk to the school together, i already have though.
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Gluten is my cryptonite

soutram · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Montreal, Quebec

I'm a teacher in a high school and I can tell you that we have no right to ask for a child's medical records. I have been in the education system for 16 years and have never heard of that. It is a breach of confidentiality. I would say NO way.
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Sue
Gluten free since May 2008

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4960 Location: Nebraska

I can understand why the nurse would be so nervous. She's probably thinking "gluten intolerance = severe allergy = possibility of death". But you're right: even if he swelled up the first call should be to 911, not your doctor. Just keep telling them no.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 1354 Location: Maine

Sounds like the school nurse needs to educate herself before she tries to educate your son's teachers, and she certainly doesn't need his medical records as a vehicle to do that.
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Steph

superdog · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 116

Yeah, something just didnt sit well in my gut with this one, but then I thought this might be standard protocol, thats why I listed it here. It just didnt seem right to have a blanket medical release. The other mom didnt feel right about it either. Maybe the other mom and I outta take up some pamphlets to her as well and educate her. I am getting pretty peeved that they would even ask for his medical records now that I know its not standard protocol. Hope this thread will help someone else that may have been asked the same thing from their school. I have my sons drs. appt again tomorrow for another note, I guess the school wants the drs. note to state his symptoms and how to treat. That will be a doozy!!!
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Gluten is my cryptonite