What to Bring to an Appointment
Patients can find the task of gathering medical records a confusing experience. However, these records are a vital part of a patient’s visit to the Vanderbilt Breast Center (VBC). Having past test results and other records available for review eliminates costly and unnecessary procedures and allows our expert physicians to provide the best care for every patient.
If you are a returning patient to the Vanderbilt Breast Center, your records already are available for your appointment.
For patients new to the VBC who are coming for a routine screening or one of our specialized services, we will gladly help you gather your records by contacting the doctors and testing facilities that have provided your previous care.
Records, pathology slides, mammograms and ultrasounds may also be sent directly to us. If a patient is coming to see us for a biopsy, our radiologists need to have past mammogram, ultrasound and other test results one week ahead of the appointment to determine what type of biopsy should be done. For information about sending your records by mail or fax, please call us at 615-322-2064.
For a Routine Screening bring:
- The original films from any past screening exams, such as mammograms and ultrasounds.
- Any written radiology reports related to those exams.
- Any other written records and original test results related to your previous breast care. For a list of these items, please see X-rays, scans and other films and pathology slides.
For Specialized Services:
Please have all of the above sent to us prior to your appointment, plus:
Sometimes a patient’s first contact with the Vanderbilt Breast Center is an appointment for one of our specialized services, including diagnostic follow-up, second opinions, cancer evaluation, high-risk screening and services for men. These patients may have a more extensive file of medical records and test results – often from more than one facility – that should be compiled and available at their first appointment at the Vanderbilt Breast Center.
Your personal/referring physician’s office should be able to help you compile a list of the tests you have had performed and the facilities that have performed those tests. Please arrange to obtain your original test results and written records far enough in advance to have them at your first appointment at the Vanderbilt Breast Center, or – in the case of a biopsy – send to our radiologists one weeks before you come in for the procedure.
1. Written medical records
This is the written medical history that your personal/referring physician and any consulting physicians have kept regarding your routine screening, diagnosis and treatment.
2. Medication list
Please bring a list of all medications you take regularly, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. The list should include how much of the medication you take (the dosage amount) and how often you take it. If you are uncertain about any of this information, bring the medication itself in the original packaging.
In addition, you should list any vitamins, herbs or other supplements you take regularly, including the dosage amount and how often you take it. You also may bring these items in their original containers for your physician to review.
3. X-rays, scans and other films
Patients often have had a number of different tests during checkups, diagnosis and treatment. If a patient is coming to the Vanderbilt Breast Center for a biopsy, one week prior to the appointment our radiologists need to receive the original films and related reports from:
- prior mammograms
- breast ultrasounds
- breast MRI scans
- related X-rays
- related CT/CAT scans
- related PET scans
4. Pathology slides
If a biopsy has been performed somewhere other than Vanderbilt during your diagnosis, please obtain the glass slides and written pathology report from the facility where your test was done and have them sent to us prior to your first appointment. Vanderbilt pathologists will review these slides and confirm your diagnosis if the original pathology diagnosis was made at another facility.
Questions & Assistance
- For general questions, please call us at 615-322-2064.
- For questions about gathering medical records, please call 615-322-6250.
- For questions about arranging a biopsy appointment, please call 615-343-0745.
- For other questions or concerns, please contact the VBC Manager at 615-322-8651.
