Chart notes

[Margarine]

A small rant about Kaiser doctors...
I have been very hit or miss with Kaiser Doctors here in Washington state. 99% of the time I am gendered correctly in person, 70% of the time in chart notes. The notes start off with 55 year old female then devolve into be referred to he or him. I do usually get an email and a call apologizing for the mistake. I am quick to act and am polite about asking for a correction... However........ In today's notes, I was referred to as he and him, I sent a note asking for a correction and the MD changed he not to she but IT. I am a bit upset and unsure how to proceed beyond a complaint to her superior and Washington State. She is not my PCP but was a fill in for her. Also the chart notes for ENT for the 3rd time have referred to me as he/him/his how ever when face to face always she or her when he was talking to my partner or an MA. I called and left a message again, before he stated it was the pitch of my voice when his back was to me and he was entering notes and talking... It's a bit upsetting and mostly corrected but it bugs me and I am feeling a bit thin skinned over it. *shrug*  No need to cry as it would just be more tears in an ocean.

[KathyLauren]

I am sorry this is happening to you.

I can see someone being clueless or absentminded and putting "he" instead of "she".  It should always be corrected, otherwise he won't learn.

But there is no excuse in the world for referring to you as "it".  That is a deliberate insult and definitely requires escalating to his superior.

[herekitten]

I am sorry this has happened to you. I've always been curious about chart notes and will go explore mine if I can.

I am surprised that Kaiser employees in the state of Washington would do that, but I guess it happens. People can be insensitive or downright ignorant.  I can only speak to Kaiser in Georgia, they are exemplary.  The Doctor who chairs the transgender program for Georgia Kaiser makes it very clear to let him know of any infractions with regard to treatment, pronouns, etc.  Maybe you can address your concern to whoever chairs the program in Washington. I am sure they would like to know so they can improve on their shortcomings and the way they interact.   

Just a thought.

[ChrissyRyan]

A small rant about Kaiser doctors...
I have been very hit or miss with Kaiser Doctors here in Washington state. 99% of the time I am gendered correctly in person, 70% of the time in chart notes. The notes start off with 55 year old female then devolve into be referred to he or him. I do usually get an email and a call apologizing for the mistake. I am quick to act and am polite about asking for a correction... However........ In today's notes, I was referred to as he and him, I sent a note asking for a correction and the MD changed he not to she but IT. I am a bit upset and unsure how to proceed beyond a complaint to her superior and Washington State. She is not my PCP but was a fill in for her. Also the chart notes for ENT for the 3rd time have referred to me as he/him/his how ever when face to face always she or her when he was talking to my partner or an MA. I called and left a message again, before he stated it was the pitch of my voice when his back was to me and he was entering notes and talking... It's a bit upsetting and mostly corrected but it bugs me and I am feeling a bit thin skinned over it. *shrug*  No need to cry as it would just be more tears in an ocean.

Yikes!

I would be bothered by the word "IT."   

I might throw a FIT over that word IT.    What in the world?!?    Ughhhh...

Chrissy

[Michelle_P]

A small rant about Kaiser doctors...
I have been very hit or miss with Kaiser Doctors here in Washington state. 99% of the time I am gendered correctly in person, 70% of the time in chart notes. The notes start off with 55 year old female then devolve into be referred to he or him. I do usually get an email and a call apologizing for the mistake. I am quick to act and am polite about asking for a correction... However........ In today's notes, I was referred to as he and him, I sent a note asking for a correction and the MD changed he not to she but IT. I am a bit upset and unsure how to proceed beyond a complaint to her superior and Washington State.

File a grievance as soon as possible with Member Services.  Include the name of the doctor and details of the incident.  You can file a report online by logging into your Kaiser account and sending a message to Member Services or in California by using their GRIEVANCE REPORT online form.

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health/mycare/consumer/locate-our-services/member-services

Kaiser generally determines what areas they need to work on in their operation based on what areas are getting grievance reports.

[Margarine]

I have not always read my chart notes, however, over the past two years I have been reading everything. If your Kaiser EMR is similar it would be listed on past appointment and then a tab on the right hand side of the top of the note. I have been looking to see what notes are listed and correct as necessary. I have been trying to glean the name of the chair of the Transgender care board's name so I can communicate with them, I have also written 'transhealth@hca.wa.gov' for assistance. I don't care to be misgendered and I feel others don't need to be.

when the mistakes are explained or there is a OH I am so sorry, no harm no foul, however, when it is a OBVIOUS thing as referring to one as an IT then there is an issue. There were other things she said and those were directed at her superiors and I did receive and apology, for all it is worth, it was hollow and without sincerity, she believes in Karma, so it's my Karma to educate her and her's to receive an education.
Take Care,
Margaret

I am sorry this has happened to you. I've always been curious about chart notes and will go explore mine if I can.

I am surprised that Kaiser employees in the state of Washington would do that, but I guess it happens. People can be insensitive or downright ignorant.  I can only speak to Kaiser in Georgia, they are exemplary.  The Doctor who chairs the transgender program for Georgia Kaiser makes it very clear to let him know of any infractions with regard to treatment, pronouns, etc.  Maybe you can address your concern to whoever chairs the program in Washington. I am sure they would like to know so they can improve on their shortcomings and the way they interact.   

Just a thought.