5 On Your Side

Patients frustrated at records access after Cary medical facility closes

Patients at Cary Diagnostic Radiology are frustrated at the process to obtain their medical records after the facility closed in June.

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CARY, N.C. — For more than 20 years, Cary Diagnostic Radiology has provided CT scans, ultrasounds and mammograms for thousands of patients — until it suddenly closed last month, leaving patients like Margaret Harding without access to their medical records.

“I feel very helpless with the whole situation,” Harding said.

Harding has been unable to retrieve 15 years of her medical records. She called the facility multiple times and even stopped by, but has gotten no results.

"I've had some call backs on mammograms. That's one reason I'm doubly concerned because I want them to see what my history has been," said Harding, who wants the records for her new doctor. “Those records, I feel like, belong to me, and there’s no way I can get them. I’m representing one of thousands of people that are in the same situation…and none of us have gotten any direction on what to do.”

Harding and other patients wondered how hard it is to call or e-mail them or post a note on the door.

“It’s very frustrating, and it’s very aggravating,” Harding said.

Departing doctors have a professional obligation to notify patients and give them an opportunity to obtain their medical records, according to the state Medical Board.

The facility eventually posted a sign on its front door listing when patients can pick up their records – Monday through Friday of this week from 10 a.m. to noon.

On Wednesday, Dr. Christopher Tharrington, who took over the facility eight years ago and filed for bankruptcy in April, said he would extend those hours after 5 On Your Side reached out to him. An employee who handled patient issues left unexpectedly and Tharrington said he has been scrambling since.

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