File Management

[bogamama]

I am in current litigation with my employer over the conduct of a certain doctor. My question is (which I couldn't find through searching) are doctors permitted to remove patient progress note from their charts? The doctor I speak about constantly removes these notes, may take them home and at times misplaces them. I remember in nursing school that all patient progress notes MUST stay with the chart and must not be removed. Having these notes missing from a chart or not available when making nursing decissions about a patient could lead to improper care. Is this a HIPPA issue also?

Any help with this question would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I am a LPN employeed in Virginia. At this point I didn't want to ask the Board of Nursing here in Virginia.

Thanks

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I am so sorry for this problem you are involved in. However, we at All Nurses can't provide legal advice and this is truly not where you want your advice to come from. Please contact your lawyer. Good luck.