Forged Doctor's Note

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So a parent has been having problems with our school because small things, which is him wearing a thicker jacket and she wanting me to give him more of his puffs than he needs. (Asthma). I haven't been in the problem except she told the school I overdosed him (Which I didn't. I gave him the puffs he needed and when I am suppose to.) and as well now because I was given these two letters. I called his doctor yesterday by orders of the admin to ask for a doctor's note that says what the mom is asking and about the action plan. Then today I got the letter faxed by the doctor, with signature and then another one from the mom... painfully obvious she forged it. I called the doctor and asked about which one I should follow, obviously they said to follow their orders and they only sent one letter. Told my admin. While both letters sort of say the same thing, how bad is it that she gave a forged letter to the school?

Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

This is hilarious.

I've never had a parent forge a note that I was aware of, but I have seen an adult forge a note from the cardiologist that basically said she could not travel more than 10 miles away from the cardiologist's office for any reason, due to her vague c/o chest pain. She didn't want to come to work and since work was easily over 10 miles from the cardiologist's office, obvi she can't come that far. Nevermind that the work site was 2 minutes from the area's largest trauma center and untold numbers of cardiologists. People. :laugh:

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We had someone change the date on immunization records and birth certificate to make the child appear one year older than they actually were so they could start kinder. We found out when kid was in 2nd grade - office received anonymous call ratting the parent out - mom didn't want to pay daycare for another year was her reason behind it and she had started to brag to others what she did to get her kid into school earlier.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

She just wants to be right and wants things her way, but it's like naw. This is my school, my rules. And such, now we will not believe a single thing you turn in to us. It's her fault and I hope she learns her lesson. I mean, seriously? You work at a doctor's office too, how in the world can't you forge a doctor's note right?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.
We had someone change the date on immunization records and birth certificate to make the child appear one year older than they actually were so they could start kinder. We found out when kid was in 2nd grade - office received anonymous call ratting the parent out - mom didn't want to pay daycare for another year was her reason behind it and she had started to brag to others what she did to get her kid into school earlier.

Ha! So our school is currently only K and 1st and our 1st will move to 2nd next year. K is really the only way to get in at this point b/c we are a Charter School and you get in via lottery. Once you are in, you don't leave (typically). We had a wave of "letters from administration" of the current public school where the kids were enrolled in K, recommending that said child repeat Kindergarten next year. Funny thing is, our lottery for 2017-2018 just opened and there is NO way that schools are already recommending that kids repeat K. The year isn't even half over yet. The language, grammar, etc. reeks of forgery . We tell the parents we will be calling the current school to "verify" and then they are suddenly back-pedaling. It always amuses me that parents don't think we would call to verify anything.

On a more serious note, we had a father send in a forged note a couple weeks ago from the District Court saying he was granted immediate emergency custody (he currently gets kid on Fridays only). This actually looked legit but we called anyway because we always do. Thanks goodness.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I hope he learned his lesson. I understand some parents are desperate because these are their kids, but do you really want to go to jail or court for something as simple as forging a letter and never seeing your kids again? I mean seriously?

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I had a rather bad and obvious forge case I looked into last year that was turned in to the school. Mom had chosen a random doctor from the internet in town I think, who obviously did not see pediatrics (geriatric wound care, or some other specific specialty). Long story short, the note ended up going to the doctor's legal team. Forging a sick note just isn't worth that. :eek:

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

Continuation of story:

So student came to school today. Mom tells me she wants me to give him 6 puffs. She's been giving him this for the last few days because of problem breathing. (Child has missed 4 school days because of this.) Doctor specifically told me that the 6 puffs is only for 24 hours, if he still has problems, to go to the doctor. I called doctor because of this after mom left and they told me because he's nose was flaring up and his chest was puffed up, it means he was having trouble breathing and to go home for steroids. Mom came to get student, Admin confronted her on the issue of the forged letter. She left and now she's calling me, pretty sure angry on the issue. I do not want to confront the lady, so I told the secretaries to tell her I'm not in right now. I did what I was suppose to do, so she can get angry and cuss me out all she wants.

Will keep you guys updated.

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Specializes in kids.
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.

Holy Moley!!!

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

Mom came to talk to us, it wasn't over letter. I'm guessing the hospital hasn't hit her with this yet, but it's because the kid lied to mom that he didn't see me, when I called him earlier to check on him and that's why I called doctor, because of his symptoms. Mom sort of insulted me with saying that because I'm not a nurse, that I don't know much about medical stuff (She's not a nurse either), so she's telling me all these steroids and medications (I know them all) and asking me these questions, I guess she was quizzing me, but I just answered back with what I know, but I have a feeling she feels she knows more than the doctor and nurses at the doctor's office her child goes to. But eh, she left feeling content and took the child.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Wait, she was the author of that horrendous forged letter but she's pretty sure she knows better than all of her son's medical providers. Okkkayyyy.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Dr Google saves another...

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

Exactly.... I can't wait to hear what happens with her after the hospital pays her a visit.

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