I took advantage of the new law that says patients can look at their medical records. There's a doctor's note that says I had a "closed reduction under anesthesia." I have no idea what this means. If I didn’t really have this, how do I change my record?

The new federal guideline for patient privacy is called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA gives patients a chance to read their own medical record. This is to protect the patient's privacy and makes sure the record is correct.

A closed reduction refers to treatment for a joint dislocation. Closed means no incision was made to open the body. This procedure is done with the patient asleep (under anesthesia). When the muscles are relaxed, the doctor can slip the joint back into place easily.

If you’ve never dislocated a joint such as the hip, shoulder, or elbow, and you’ve never seen a doctor for such a problem, you should contact the clinic or hospital and discuss this. It may be a simple case of mistaken identity.