Requesting Medical Records

The patient medical record is a strictly monitored, confidential document. It is a complete record of the patient’s care and treatment and is maintained in Houston Healthcare’s Health Information Management department. The patient medical record is a document for collecting all factual information and medical treatment regimen, and is an important tool for communication among the professionals involved in the patient’s care.

The contents of the patient medical record are absolutely confidential and the information it contains can only be released by the patient’s written authorization. For a copy of a patient’s medical records, the patient must submit a written request. Third party requests for patient medical records must also be made in writing.

Copies of patient medical records are available to patients for follow-up care at no charge. For all other medical record requests, a fee will be charged to cover the cost of copying the file.

Requesting Electronic Medical Record Information

The patient can request their health information and/or discharge instructions in an electronic format.

Electronic copies of patient medical record information can be obtained in the Health Information Management, or Medical Records, office at Houston Medical Center or Perry Hospital. The offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

If requesting a complete copy of a patient medical record, there is a 72 hour wait period after discharge to allow all the necessary information to be available.

Patients are required to bring a picture ID with them when making this request.

Patients will need to complete an Authorization for Use/Disclosure of Protected Health Information form. The Medical Records staff will then verify the patient has a medical record. The requested information will be burned to a CD and given to the patient at that time.

A charge will be collected to cover the cost of the CD and processing. Fees will be charged in accordance with Official Code of Georgia O.C.G.A. 31-33-3. Patients can call the Medical Records offices at Houston Medical Center or Perry Hospital at the numbers above to inquire about these fees.