Problem with vet office -- re: getting copies of pet records

[radfringe]

last month our vet's office closed down (long story)

we've spent the past 4 weeks trying to get copies of records for our critters (5 cats - 3 dogs). Voice mail boxes are full, one number is no longer in service, stopped by and no one is around, sent letters with SASE requesting copies -- nothing

so my partner started making some phone calls to reporter who originally covered the story - she refered us to the dog officer investigating who refered us to the PA Attorney General

we're now waiting for a complaint form from the PA Attorney General office...

arrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!1

[Robeson]

1. I was going to suggest, at this point, you take it to....

...government officials, which is apparently what you've done. I hope you are able to resolve this issue!

[CC]

2. Not sure how your small

claims court works but here you could file for $25.00 in small claims court. If the pets are healthy etc might not be worth doing, but if you have a chronic illness or past illnesses that your new vet meeds it might be worth your while. You don't need a lawyer here. Here you could sue for the medical records, your time and effort plus punitive damages. Maybe they would find the time to get your records to you if they thought it might cost them not too. I know with my cat and two ferrets I would have to put out a couple thousand dollars for retesting if I had to change vets and could not get their medical records since they have chronic ill messes.

[radfringe]

3. unfortunately in PA

there is no small claims court -- you have to take it through a magistrate, and it costs more than $25 to file

and at this point (for us anyways) we're not out any money on this - just need copies of the records.

We have enough meds for our 20yr old cat with hyper-thyroid for another month or so -- however, we can't get a refill without either the records or having new vet run bloodwork -- at that point we will be incurring expenses

meanwhile - our dogs (3 of them) are going to need shots this spring. and without the records we don't know who needs what when

[CC]

4. Beyond the going through

state agencies not sure what else you can do then. Also it good for me to know that about PA since my dog and cat vet is in PA. (Ferret vet is in MD) Stay in touch with the reporter too, hopefully they will do a follow up on the clients.:hug:Unfortunately you might end up having to get the cat retested if it is getting that close to running out of his prescription.

[China_cat]

5. Check to see if PA has a state veterinary board

We have one here in SC (and I can't imagine that we'd be ahead of PA in anything) that handles complaints about individual vets...and often gets results. You might check with them to see if there's anything you can do. I'm pretty sure that it's illegal to not turn over records.

[radfringe]

6. not illegal

to make copies of the records - the originals have to stay with the business

unfortunately, the vet was an EMPLOYEE of the establishment in question - so the records belong to the business and not the vet

we checked that out when the crap hit the rotating blades

on the brightside - some more noise is being made - there was a letter to the editor in local paper complaining about the situation. (it wasn't me :) )

reporter is doing a followup story about it too

[kestrel91316]

7. In CA the state veterinary medical board in Sacramento is

in charge of this sort of thing. California law requires that upon owner request, copies of records be provided, no questions asked. Every once in a while some vet will go out of business and the people can't get ahold of anyone to get records - this is unprofessional at best, and a violation of the state practice act at worst.

I bet a court order for the records could be obtained, but it might cost a pretty penny for a lawyer to tackle it from that angle.

[radfringe]

8. we're in PA

my partner will be making a few more phone calls this week and filing a complaint with the attorney general's office

local paper is suppose to be running another story about it

I've told two other people I know (who used the same vet) about sending in a request for copies of records. They sent in their letters and SASE envelopes about 2 weeks ago - and have not received anything either. We gave them copies of the Attorney General's complaint form - don't know if they have filed it or will file it

We have 3 dogs that are due for shots this spring - but without the records we don't know who needs what

[China_cat]

9. Ask your new vet to titer the dogs

that will tell you who needs what.

[kestrel91316]

10. Complain to YOUR state veterinary medical board...........

all states have them, though they may have a slightly different name. They are the government agency in charge of issuing veterinary licenses, which we all have to have in order to practice in any given state.

Nothing puts the fear of God into a vet like a threat to their license, and this certainly warrants it.

[radfringe]

11. problem is really not with the vet

the vet was an EMPLOYEE of the business - which is owned by someone else. and No, it's not some kind of liability/tax dodge deal arrangement - in addition to vet services, the business also sold pet supplies, did grooming, boarding etc.

the people who OWN the business maintain that the records are their property, and either through stupidity or incompetence are not honoring the requests for copies of records

so reporting the vet does no good - it's not the vet who is refusing to give copies of records

[kestrel91316]

13. In CA the state also licenses and regulates veterinary PREMISES

so you may still have a way to go after them for the records. Here, under the law, the physical records do indeed belong to the practice owner, but the information contained in them belongs to the client. Maybe you could get a court order for copies. Then they can keep the originals if they WANT TO so badly (the jerks).

[Grateful for Hope]

12. I can't believe you are still having this issue

I sure hope the PA Attorney General office can help. I can't begin to imagine how frustrating this must be for you.

Please keep us posted.