Doctors Altering Medical Records
When a medical mistake occurs, there is a temptation for doctors and other health care providers to change the medical records. It does not happen often because most doctors either believe they can defend the claim or would rather endure a potential medical malpractice claim than risking their medical license by altering a medical record. But that rationality is sometimes lost in the moment. There is no question that medical malpractice cases with great merit have been lost because a doctor altered a medical record that prevents the exposure to medical malpractice.
Conversely, a lot of doctor have altered medical records and got caught, often changing a difficult case into one that is indefensible. Thankfully, with the help of modern technology, it is easier to catch doctors who are trying to cover-up by altering the medical records. Today, forensic experts easily spot written alterations, often by finding changes in ink and writing pressure. Often, changes can be caught by Mylar transfer even when the same doctor makes a change with the same pen used in the original medical record.
Sometimes, it is even simpler than that because doctors are like everyone else: they get irrational during a cover-up. Often changes are made in the medical records when there is more than one copy of the patient's medical chart. Doctors are often unaware that copies have already been made and ad in their changes. Medical malpractice lawyers can easily cross check the records.
Today, modern technologies add a new twist. Computer files and storage drives often preserve old drafts and/or changes in the time of entry in ways that the doctor or health care provider making the change does not suspect.
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