Doctor's notes

zombieghoast · May 18, 2017

I work for a ped's office. I never include the illness unless it is asthma or something communicable. Most parents bring their kids in to get an excuse for school and I type what the doctor tells. I had a parent call me to see if I can write up a letter excusing the son for the absences. He has over 30 unexcused absences.

cooties_are_real · May 18, 2017

I work for a ped's office. I never include the illness unless it is asthma or something communicable. Most parents bring their kids in to get an excuse for school and I type what the doctor tells. I had a parent call me to see if I can write up a letter excusing the son for the absences. He has over 30 unexcused absences.

One year we had fake dr excuses popping up, complete with a local dr. letter head. We had gotten several until someone from the dr office let us know they were fake. Never heard how they got a hold of the letter head. Come to find out a circle of friends were using them.

It amazes me what links people will go through to get what they want.

Amethya · May 18, 2017

I become an detective and I call these doctors to verify what they said. After I had that issue with the parent who forged the doctor's note, I do that to each one now. So far no issues, but I make sure they are applicable and valid.

kidzcare · May 18, 2017

One year we had fake dr excuses popping up, complete with a local dr. letter head. We had gotten several until someone from the dr office let us know they were fake. Never heard how they got a hold of the letter head. Come to find out a circle of friends were using them.
It amazes me what links people will go through to get what they want.

I had a doctor's note with a 1 clearly changed to a 7 for the date to return to school. I called the doctor's office and they confirmed that it was supposed to be a 1.

another time we found that a parent had been making their own doctor note's because we noticed the medical record number for both of her children was the same. They copied and pasted and never changed that, just the date of birth.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · May 19, 2017

I work for a ped's office. I never include the illness unless it is asthma or something communicable. Most parents bring their kids in to get an excuse for school and I type what the doctor tells.

Can you understand that saying that a child is not contagious and may return when "feeling better" is not conducive to life in general? By our standards, this is unexcused; afebrile, non-communicable illness is not a reason to exempt.

zombieghoast · May 19, 2017

Can you understand that saying that a child is not contagious and may return when "feeling better" is not conducive to life in general? By our standards, this is unexcused; afebrile, non-communicable illness is not a reason to exempt.

I totally understand. We never write notes like that and we make sure that the note gives the exact date when they can go back because a lot of parents will try to extend out the days.

KKEGS, MSN, RN · May 19, 2017

I become an detective and I call these doctors to verify what they said. After I had that issue with the parent who forged the doctor's note, I do that to each one now. So far no issues, but I make sure they are applicable and valid.

I just had my first fake note today! No letter head and when I called the clinic to confirm I was told the doctor whose signature they forged does not treat children. Seriously parents. If you're going to lie to me please at least do me the courtesy of making an effort and doing some research. :)

KKEGS, MSN, RN · May 19, 2017

Can you understand that saying that a child is not contagious and may return when "feeling better" is not conducive to life in general? By our standards, this is unexcused; afebrile, non-communicable illness is not a reason to exempt.

Open ended notes like this are the worst!

CLMMRN · May 20, 2017

What sometimes works for me is faxing doctors seeking "clarification" and, depending on the situation, cite the ADA requirement for adaptive education/programs for the student to get PE credit. I've had providers completely reverse their gym excuses before. I've also gotten changes in excuses such as "ok to walk" or "ok to lift light weights". "Activity as tolerated" should have an adaptive alternative for whatever isn't being "tolerated." Use the law to give you more teeth. :) doesn't help with absence excuses but I have to pick my battles, lol. I don't know if you've already tried that, but if not, I hope it helps. :)

CLMMRN · May 20, 2017

I had a doctor's note with a 1 clearly changed to a 7 for the date to return to school. I called the doctor's office and they confirmed that it was supposed to be a 1.
another time we found that a parent had been making their own doctor note's because we noticed the medical record number for both of her children was the same. They copied and pasted and never changed that, just the date of birth.

I had a mom copy and paste the Dr's written authorization/signature so a child could be given a prescription medication at school. It was NOT successful, thank God! The principal informed mom that what she did was actually illegal. She wasn't threatened or anything, she was merely told "I don't know if you realize it or not, but...." This mom was known for trying to trap school personnel in wrong doing, although to be fair, that information came from the child's previous school. After several incidents of head butting, we actually have a good relationship with this mom now. It's bizarre!

Amethya · May 23, 2017

I just had my first fake note today! No letter head and when I called the clinic to confirm I was told the doctor whose signature they forged does not treat children. Seriously parents. If you're going to lie to me please at least do me the courtesy of making an effort and doing some research. :)

Here's a kicker. This is the letter the parent gave to us, it was painfully obvious it was written by the parent:

This is how the letter was written:

"[Hospital Letter head]

To whom it may concern:

[Child's name] is my patient at [Hospital's name]. I Dr. [Misspelled Doctor's Name] have been his Doctor over X years. His mother [mother's name] and I Work together as in keeping him out of the hospital. Ms. [Mom's last name] has informed me about some issues she has with the school that [Child's name] is attending. [Child's name] needs to keep a jacket on. He can take it off if he wants to. The weather in [City's name] change every day and I do not want him in the hospital. We work too hard to get him back on track. Whatever [Mom's name] tells you PLEASE follow what she says, [Mom's name] knows her child. Also Follow The Asthma Action Plan!! [Child's name] has severe asthma and this is something that I and my staff take serious. LET'S STAY ON TRACK, AND FOLLOW ORDER.

Sincerely,

Dr. [Misspelled Doctor's Name]"

I kept the same grammar and language as what it was written.

kidzcare · May 23, 2017

Here's a kicker. This is the letter the parent gave to us, it was painfully obvious it was written by the parent:
This is how the letter was written:
"[Hospital Letter head]
To whom it may concern:
[Child's name] is my patient at [Hospital's name]. I Dr. [Misspelled Doctor's Name] have been his Doctor over X years. His mother [mother's name] and I Work together as in keeping him out of the hospital. Ms. [Mom's last name] has informed me about some issues she has with the school that [Child's name] is attending. [Child's name] needs to keep a jacket on. He can take it off if he wants to. The weather in [City's name] change every day and I do not want him in the hospital. We work too hard to get him back on track. Whatever [Mom's name] tells you PLEASE follow what she says, [Mom's name] knows her child. Also Follow The Asthma Action Plan!! [Child's name] has severe asthma and this is something that I and my staff take serious. LET'S STAY ON TRACK, AND FOLLOW ORDER.
Sincerely,
Dr. [Misspelled Doctor's Name]"
I kept the same grammar and language as what it was written.

Wow. That's painful. Did you follow up with mom or the dr office?