How to keep your medical records organized

Having papers strewn around you can be an overwhelming thing indeed. And medical records can get even more overwhelming because one is never sure which ones are to be kept, and which ones aren’t. It is a wise to keep all your medical records on hand as it will be helpful for you in the long run. The trick is to organize these papers well so that you can easily access the exact report required, at any given time. Here are a few tips that will help you keep your medical records well organized:

Create a Directory: When you are dealing with medical records for the entire family, you will benefit with the use of a directory. Create this directory and then allot a folder for each member of the family so that you can easily access the records of one particular member.

Divide and Conquer: Segregate the information into seasonal allergies, chronic conditions, medication list, one time diseases like jaundice or chicken pox, vaccinations for children, and other such heads. This will help you put the correct report in the correct slot, instead of hunting through a pile of papers when you need one particular report.

Labels: When you are dividing and filing the information under various heads, it is important to label each of these heads and then create an index of the colors and people they pertain to. This will also enhance the efficiency of your filing system.

Go Paperless: You can also opt for a paperless system which will turn your reports into data encrypted documents. These can easily be stored on one’s computer and also, a virtual cloud based location which gives your doctor easy access to the same. It would still be beneficial to store the hard copies at home so that you do not have to get stuck in case the system does not function properly on any given day.

When you decide to store your medical records, it would be a good idea to speak with your doctor and find out the priority and order of the reports. This will make it efficient for both, you and your doctor.