Do not stop at the discharge summary
A discharge summary is only a high-level narrative. The legally important details may appear in nursing flowsheets, medication administration records, physician orders, imaging timestamps, consultation notes and raw monitoring records.
Create a separate timeline
Keep the medical chart unchanged. In a separate document, list dates, symptoms, calls, appointments, what you were told and where you went next. This can help counsel identify missing records and potential causation issues.
For birth injury cases
Fetal monitoring strips, labor flowsheets, medication timing, operative reports and neonatal records can be particularly important and should be identified early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my own medical records in Michigan?
Patients generally have rights to access medical records under applicable federal and state law, subject to permitted charges, exceptions and procedures. A lawyer can also request records after representation begins.
Should I edit or highlight my records before sending them?
Keep original records unchanged. You can make a separate timeline or notes document, but preserve the records as received.