A new national consumer survey reveals nearly two-thirds of Americans have never checked their medical records for errors, even though the majority of them say it’s easy to do.

Studies estimate up to 70 percent of health records contain errors or inaccurate patient information. These errors can lead to wrong prescriptions, expensive diagnostic tests or worse - a misdiagnosis of a disease. 

The national survey was conducted by the HIPAA-compliant mobile health platform, DrOwl - a free medical platform that allows consumers to download all of their medical records into one place. 

DrOwl initiated the survey to better understand what Americans actually know about their health data and how they feel about medical jargon that is frequently used on medical records. More than two-thirds of patients said they didn’t understand what their physician after their visit. 

The online survey involved 1000 adults across the US of which 59 percent were women and 41 percent were men. 56 percent of respondents were 35 years old or older.

The CEO of DrOwl, Arvind Raichur, said this survey suggests most consumers aren’t taking their health records seriously.

“We watch our credit scores closely because we know it will impact our ability to make a large purchase. How much more valuable is your health,” said Raichur. “Mistakes happen especially in a fast-paced environment like the emergency room and our quick visits with the physician. It’s important to make sure your records are accurate and it’s very easy to do.” 

Who Owns Your Medical Records? 

Congress enacted a section of the “Cures Act” last year that gives all patients access to their digital health records for free. Up until that point, it was extremely difficult for patients to acquire or review their health records from hospitals or doctors offices.

Despite the new law, only 17 percent of those surveyed correctly answered that they own their medical records. Roughly 20 percent wrongly believed their doctor owned their medical records; 14 percent said their insurance company owned their records; and 19 percent had no idea who owned their records.

The consumer survey found 40 percent of respondents said they had reviewed their medical records. 42 percent of respondents said they didn’t know they should check their medical records, while 17 percent said they trusted their doctor to keep their records accurate. 

Patients are Confused with Medical Jargon and Physician Communication 

The survey also asked consumers if they understand the medical language or jargon that their doctor uses. 

More than half, 52 percent, answered they “somewhat understand what their doctor shares,” while 12 percent said they “rarely understand what my doctor shares” and 4 percent “never understand what their doctor shares.” As a result, 1 in 3 patients or 66 percent of respondents said they felt somewhat confused or unsure with the information their doctor shared.  

DrOwl contains a personal health search engine that helps people understand their specific conditions as well as the medications they are taking. Using AI and machine learning, the platform translates medical jargon and codes from the patient’s medical records into easy-to-understand language. 

For example, patients might be confused when they hear “Hypothyroidism” or medical code “Nos (E03.9)”, but it actually is translated into an underactive thyroid that doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones for the body. If this code appears in a patient’s medical records, DrOwl will also provide curated medical information for patients with this condition from authoritative medical sources.

“If you want to learn more about your specific condition, or better understand what your physician is writing down, DrOwl makes it easy to become more empowered with your health. There is nothing more important than that,” said Raichur.

Consumers can download DrOwl for free on iOS or Google Play.

The prominent orthopedic journal, Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, has published a peer-reviewed study that examines how a revolutionary surgery can help patients suffering from the second most commonly affected form of osteoarthritis.

The study, The BioPro Thumb Carpometacarpal Hemiarthroplasty: Case Series and Surgical Technique, concluded the “BioPro Modular Thumb Implant” is a reliable alternative to current surgeries for basal joint thumb arthritis. Preliminary data from the study also documented high patient satisfaction with successful functional outcomes. 

Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis is painful and debilitating. It has long posed challenges for patients and orthopedic surgeons since conventional treatments, such as splints, medications and physical therapy, have only offered temporary relief. 

Alejandro Badia, M.D. - one of the study’s authors and founder of Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in South Florida, described this surgery as a breakthrough development for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the hand.

“This innovative surgery will transform the lives of anyone suffering from debilitating thumb joint pain and functional limitations,” said Badia. “This minimally invasive procedure uses advanced surgical techniques with faster recovery times. The best candidates for this are individuals experiencing severe thumb CMC arthritis and who have exhausted more conservative treatments.”

How BioPro Modular Thumb Implant Works

The BioPro Modular Thumb Implant replaces part of the thumb CMC joint with a modular implant that helps restore joint function and arthritis-related damage.

The procedure minimizes disruption to surrounding tissues, leading to potentially faster recovery times. The modular nature of the implant also allows for a personalized fit, catering to the unique anatomical features of each patient.

The key differentiator of this surgery lies in its focus on restoring thumb joint function and alleviating pain through a specialized hemiarthroplasty technique. The modular implant is designed to mimic the natural joint anatomy by offering a durable and customized solution for patients with advanced arthritis.

“Most patients who fail with conservative treatments like splints, injection, pills and therapy try an alternative open aggressive surgery that removes a bone in the wrist. This surgery can be painful with a slow recovery. The BioPro procedure does not remove a bone, giving a rapid recovery with minimal pain,” said Dr. Badia.

About the Study’s Author

Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS is a hand surgeon and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon who treats orthopedic problems of the Hand & Wrist, Arm & Forearm, Elbow, and Shoulder. In 2008, he founded Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in South Florida - a fully integrated clinical facility for the upper limb. He also runs an active international hand fellowship, and serves on the editorial board of two hand journals. Dr. Badia studied physiology at Cornell University and obtained his medical degree at NYU, where he also trained in orthopedics. A hand fellowship at Alleghany General Hospital in Pittsburgh was followed by an AO trauma fellowship in Freiburg, Germany.

Patient Abstract

A retrospective review of all cases of the modular thumb CMC implants performed at one community US center between 2018 and 2021 were included and invited for email or telephone review. 

Electronic records were examined for demographics, patient outcomes, and morbidity. Eleven patients underwent 11 thumb CMC joint hemiarthroplasties, mean age was 64.8 years (SD: 7.68 y), with 6 females. Six received surgery on their dominant extremity. Two were manual workers (both in the medical field), 6 office-based, 2 retired, and 1 homemaker. 

The preoperative median pain score (Visual Analog Score) was 8/10 (range: 5 to 10), reducing to 1/10 (range: 1 to 10) (P=0.000033) with a median follow-up of 23 months (range: 13 to 39 mo). In all, 8/11 patients reported they would recommend this surgery to friends and family and opt for the same surgery on their contralateral hand if necessary. One patient reported persistent pain a year postoperatively.

HIPAA-compliant mobile health platform, DrOwl, has announced a new upgrade that integrates personalized immunization records, allowing consumers to see which vaccines might have been missed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for vaccinations vary by age, health conditions and prior vaccinations.

For example, the CDC recommends adults, ages 50-64, get the Shingles, COVID, TDAP and Flu vaccines. The Hepatitis B, MMR and RSV vaccines are recommended based on individual health conditions.

For adults, ages 19-26, the CDC recommends HPV, Chickenpox, COVID, Flu, Hepatitis B, MMR and TDAP vaccines.

Fewer than half of American adults get a flu shot, and only about 1 in 5 adults got the Covid booster last year. The CDC estimates that only 22 percent of adults are up to date on all the vaccines.

The CEO of DrOwl, Arvind Raichur, said this new feature involving immunizations will help consumers understand which vaccines they may have missed based on their personalized health history.

“Vaccines are complicated and personalized,” said Raichur. “Vaccine recommendations for a 19 year old are different than for someone just 8 years older. And it gets even more complicated when age and personal health conditions are factored in. DrOwl makes this immunization process easy. No more going from memory.”

Keeping Track of All Medical Records 

Last year, Congress enacted a section of the “Cures Act” that gives all patients access to their digital health records for free and instantly. Up until that point, it was extremely difficult for patients to acquire or review their health records from hospitals or doctors offices.

DrOwl is a free medical platform that allows consumers to download all of their medical records into one place. The mobile health platform contains a personalized patient portal that translates medical jargon and codes into an easy-to-understand language. 

Studies estimate up to 70 percent of health records contain errors or inaccurate patient information. These errors can lead to wrong prescriptions, expensive diagnostic tests or worse - a misdiagnosis of a disease. 

“You want to know if there is a mistake in your credit report, so why wouldn’t you want to know if your medical records contain an error that could lead to a dangerous misdiagnose,” said Raichur. “For patients with chronic health conditions like diabetes, the information is critical. There is no margin of error when it comes to our health and prescriptions.”

Consumers can download DrOwl on iOS or Google Play.

November 8, 2023

DACULA, GA — Hamilton Plaza Animal Hospital, a leading veterinary care provider in Dacula, Georgia, is pleased to announce a special offer for all military personnel this November. In recognition and deep appreciation of their services, the hospital is providing a 20% discount on all of its services throughout the month.

Hamilton Plaza Animal Hospital has always been committed to providing the highest quality care for pets, recognizing the great value and joy they bring to families. The hospital is equipped with cutting-edge technology and a dedicated team of veterinary experts who are deeply committed to the health and well-being of your pets.

"We're extremely proud to extend this special offer to our military personnel," says Dr. Tara Zak, the hospital's chief veterinarian and owner. "It's our small way of saying 'thank you' for their tremendous service."

All active and retired military personnel are eligible for this discount at Hamilton Plaza Animal Hospital, located at 1342 Auburn Rd Ste 116 in Dacula, GA. For more information, please visit the company website at https://hpahospital.com/.

About Hamilton Plaza Animal Hospital

Hamilton Plaza Animal Hospital is a full-service pet hospital in Dacula, GA, providing comprehensive veterinary care. The hospital is dedicated to treating pets with love and respect while providing the highest quality of medical, surgical, and dental care.

Contact

Dr. Tara Zak

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

770-558-8800