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Pennsylvania Handbook: Record Release

WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR RELEASING COPIES OF MEDICAL RECORDS?

Medical records contain confidential information protected by a number of federal and state laws. In Pennsylvania, all records shall be treated as confidential and only authorized personnel shall have access to the records. Ownership of the patient’s medical records is vested with the hospital or the health care provider (see, 28 Pa. Code § 115.28), and not the individual patient. Thus, it is incumbent upon the hospital or health care provider to strictly adhere to the proper practices for releasing a patient’s medical records.

The written authorization of the patient (or the patient’s legal representative) shall be presented, and then maintained in the original record as…

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