May 2021
Chronologies provide an exact and easy to read timeline of medical events. They are an efficient means to parse out relevant data related to a case. When records are voluminous, or a precise and detailed identification of critical events are needed, a chronology may be warranted.
There are many styles and formats for creating a chronology. Information such as the date, time, place, and provider of care are identified. Further customizable details such bates numbers, an explanation of medical terms/abbreviations, imbedding of pdf medical record pages, and comments regarding standard of care are sometimes included per client preference. Chronologies can be written in a partial verbatim format whereas the nurse utilizes exact words from the chart, or can a summary be written in the nurse’s own words as an interpretation of events. There is no one size fits all chronology. Sometimes a combination of verbatim and pertinent verbatim can be used to produce the most efficient work product. Pertinent style may be used for events surrounding the alleged injury, while a summary is used for related but noncritical information. Headers within the chronology can be used to identify information such as the source document and author.
Microsoft Word or Excel can be used as the foundation for a chronology. The table format is Word is most common. There is also specialized software to create work products however, given chronologies are sometimes shared, compatibility can be an issue.
| BATES | DATE /TIME | SOURCE | COMMENT |
| Pdf 00123 of 000150 Or JDOE-WAVERLYMED-00010 | 03/23/2021 0700 | Waverly Medical Center / Bill Smith, MD 23 yo presents to ER with cough x3 days & fever 103.2. SOB, unable to complete sentences without cough | SOB = shortness of breath |
Small, seemingly unrelated events are often a precursor to an injury. Non-medical staff may lack insight and real-world experience needed to understand the relevance to injury and thus, these details are often omitted from the work product. Nurse provided chronologies are a cost-effective way to obtain relevant case data. Through training and education, nurses have in-depth medical knowledge regarding standards of care and the ability to analyze data and link events to breaches in the standard of care, Missing and tampered records as well as gaps in medical care are easily identifiable to a nurse.
R&G Medical Legal Solution’s nurses provide accurate chronologies and customizable work products. Please call 623-555-3333 today to find out more information about obtaining case related chronologies.
