Medical Records

Confidentiality and Patient Privacy

St.Joseph Hospital preserves the confidentiality of medical information to protect patients' privacy. Guidelines pertaining to the release of such information are established both to protect patients' right to privacy as well as to provide the information to authorized persons for patient care, insurance and legal matters, and other legitimate business purposes. Except in specific instances, the patient (or an authorized representative) must authorize the relase of such information.

The following conditions may serve to clarify the patient's condition:

• 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.

Requesting Medical Records

Former patients may request information from their medical records by presenting a written request to the Health Information Services Department. (A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for processing requests.)

Requests for records are processed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

A fee is charged to cover the processing of requests. (A fee is not charged when the copies are requested to be sent to a physician, as those requests are a part of your continuing care.)