Medical Records

So this week I had a discussion with my teacher about hospital registration numbers.

Turns out the logical system I am used to in the USA is not used here. I'm so funny. Anyway, the system that is used here is like the number system at the deli.

You know when there is a long line of people who want cheese and so they give everyone a number and that is when they can step up to the counter and get their cheese.

Everytime you go to the deli you get a different number. The lady behind the counter asks you the same question because she doesn't know you or what kind of cheese you like.

This happens at the hospital here. Because there are no doctor's offices everyone goes to either the hospital or the clinic. Every time they go to the hospital or clinic they see who ever is available-not likely to be the same doc as before. If you happened to ask the previous doc to give you his notes about your last visit and bring it with you to your current visit most likely no one will read it because no one trusts the records of the doc before them.

Imagine if you or your family member has a chronic illness in this system. Every visit the hospital will run the same tests and come to the same round a bout conclusions in the same untimely manner.

This sounds like a night mare.