Medical Records
Confidentiality of Medical Information
Confidentiality of medican information:
- Undetermined-Patient awaiting physician and assessment.
- Good-Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable, indicators are excellent.
- Fair-Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
- Serious-Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill; indicators are questionable.
- Critical-Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious; indicators are unfavorable.
How to Obtain Copies of Medical Records
A written authorization is required for the release of records.
If the request is submitted in person, picture identification is required.
Guidelines for Signatures
- The patient, if eighteen years of age or older, or, if under eighteen, is emancipated or married.
- The guardian of a patient in a minority (i.e., under eighteen years of age) if legally appointed. Proof of guardianship is required.
- The parent having custody of the patient, if the patient is under eighteen years of age, is unmarried, and is under parental control.
- If a person is under eighteen years of age, is unmarried and is not in the custody of a parent or legal guardian and is a neglected child, then by the agency of which the child has been made a ward of the Juvenile Court.
- If the patient is found incompetent for a reason or reasons other than minority, then by the court-appointed guardian; or, if he has been committed to an institution, then by the superintendent of such institution;
- The personal representative (executor or administrator) of the deceased patient’s estate; or, if there is no personal representative, the spouse, or if none, an adult child.
- The appointed health care representative, provided that evidence of such appointment is received which describes the personal representative’s authority to act for the individual.
NOTE: If information concerns a minor treated primarily for drug and/or alcohol abuse, consent need only be given by the minor.
For more information, please call (765) 656-3000.