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Hospital Records and Future Career and Education

U

Ukon

Greenlighter
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
4
Recently a friend of mine had to go to the hospital due to sickness from taking MDMA. They weren't able to do much for her other than tell her that her vitals were fine and sent her home. But on the paper it labeled her problems from Drug Abuse. The hospital that she went to is connected to the school she is currently going to. She is really worrried however and is stressing over the fact that its labeled as drug abuse. Could her hospital record affect her chances of getting into medical school and studying medicine/becoming a doctor in the future? I heard that you are not able to become one if you have had any form of substance abuse. I'd like to reassure her and keep her from stressing out even further.
 
What country are you in?

I don't think it's legal in most places for med school to audit a person's medical records.
 
This is the U.S., Washington state more specifically. It's just that the school itself is connected to the hospital we went to. Is there any other possible consequences she could have from the drug abuse label? This is the first time its ever happened.
 
Ukon said:
Recently a friend of mine had to go to the hospital due to sickness from taking MDMA. They weren't able to do much for her other than tell her that her vitals were fine and sent her home. But on the paper it labeled her problems from Drug Abuse. The hospital that she went to is connected to the school she is currently going to. She is really worrried however and is stressing over the fact that its labeled as drug abuse. Could her hospital record affect her chances of getting into medical school and studying medicine/becoming a doctor in the future? I heard that you are not able to become one if you have had any form of substance abuse. I'd like to reassure her and keep her from stressing out even further.
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I will echo Foreigner in saying that in the US, I'm quite certain universities are not allowed to see your medical records. Now for a job in medicine, she could possibly be asked if she has been to treatment or been admitted to a hospital for substance abuse. But she was not admitted so I still don't think she has anything to worry about.

I normally preach honesty on this forum but in this case, if she were verbally asked in an interview about drug use, I would deny, deny, deny.
 
Ukon said:
This is the U.S., Washington state more specifically. It's just that the school itself is connected to the hospital we went to. Is there any other possible consequences she could have from the drug abuse label? This is the first time its ever happened.
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I would say No. Once again, I'm pretty sure HIPAA laws prevent the school from accessing her medical records. Just because the school and hospital are affiliated does not mean they are allowed to share information.

Now, if law enforcement were somehow involved AND she was caught dealing drugs, then her student loans would be in jeopardy. But that is way off topic for the present discussion.
 
I will also add that, if there is still any doubt, an anonymous phone call to the med school's admissions department wouldn't hurt. She could *67 her number and call and ask them without giving any specific or identifying information. They have staff who are paid to answer questions like this.
 
I'm pretty sure doctor/patient confidentiality bars the school from finding out.
 
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