Patient portals are safe and secure to use

advantage of the benefits of patient portals. The issue with the mistaken diagnosis in the chart is one that was in existence long before the advent of the EMR. In the era of paper charts, I found mistaken diagnoses and, frankly, incorrect histories in a large number of patient charts. Most physicians have learned that when there is a discrepancy between the chart information and what the patient tells you, the patient is usually correct.

As far as safety, patient portals are as safe as electronic information can be in the modern world. It is a legal disaster for a physician’s office, hospital or insurer to have a security breach.

Dear Dr. Roach: I hope you can help me. I have had problems sleeping for many years, and I used diphenhydramine to get and stay asleep. Finally, last year I retired (I am 70) and stopped using it and started using two 10 mg melatonin pills to get to sleep. My problem is remembering. I forget almost everything I used to do. I can’t remember how to make dishes I would make at the drop of a hat. I can’t remember people’s names. It is driving me crazy, and my husband is getting very angry with me when I can’t remember. Is there something I can do or a supplement I can take to help me get rid of the forgetfulness? —

A: Melatonin is a generally safe drug that many people use for sleep. Compared with diphenhydramine, it is probably safer, since diphenhydramine use is clearly associated with falls and motor vehicle accidents the day after using.

However, melatonin does have side effects, and the most common reported are headache, confusion and fractured sleep. These are more likely at higher doses, and the dose you are taking is very high. I recommend a dose of 0.5 mg to 1 mg; you are taking 40 times the recommended starting dose. It is likely the melatonin is the cause of your symptoms.