Questions (FAQ)

Medical Records FAQ Page How may I obtain a copy of my records or records of my child? Southeastern Med will only release your medical records with your written consent (if you are 18 years or older). We will only release the medical records of a minor with the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. Download and print an Authorization to Release Patient Information and Consent to Disclosure of Confidential Information form. After you complete and sign the form, send it to: Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center 1341 Clark Street Cambridge, Ohio 43725 ATTN: Medical Records You may also call Medical Records at (740) 439-8652. I would like to get a copy of a family member’s records. Can I do this? Only the patient may release his/her records. However, if you have the power of attorney or are the executor of a patient’s estate, you may submit a request in writing along with a copy of the legal document. Do you release any information verbally? The only information Medical Records releases verbally is date of admission and date of discharge. I would like to know my blood type. Blood typing is not routinely performed. If blood typing was done, the request must be in writing. There is a charge for this copy. I was born at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center. How can I obtain my birth certificate? You need to request the birth certificate from the Guernsey County Health Department. Their phone number is 740-439-3577. How long will it take to get a copy of my medical record? Upon receipt of your signed “Authorization to Release Medical Information,” it generally takes about 1 working day, depending on the location of the record and if requesting just reports or entire record(s). How much does it cost to obtain a copy of my medical record? There is a fee. If requesting and entire record please call HealthPort at (740) 439-2115 for costs. This is no charge to send records to another physician or health care facility. How long do you keep medical records? Medical records are kept forever. They remain scanned in the hospital computer systems and backed up on disk. How can I obtain a copy of my child’s immunization records? Contact your child’s pediatrician or family practitioner to request copies of his/her immunization records. Who can look at my record or my child’s record? Southeastern Med treats medical information as privileged and confidential and that information cannot be disclosed without the patient’s knowledge and consent. Generally, all parents or legal guardians sign a general consent form when their children receive medical care at Southeastern Med. That consent form allows Southeastern Med to release your medical information to insurance companies, government agencies and others. In some cases, the courts may subpoena the medical record as evidence in a trial without the patient’s permission. Access by a parent differs depending upon a child’s age. If you’re 18 or older, parents have no access to your medical record without your permission. If you’re 17 or younger, your parents have access to your medical information, with the exception of information concerning sexuality issues (e.g. pregnancy, contraceptive services, sexually transmitted disease treatment and sexual assault) and alcohol/drug or mental health treatment. May I look at a family member’s medical record? Unless you are the patient’s legal guardian, you cannot access the medical record without his/her written consent. Can I amend my record or my child’s medical record? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996, gives patients the right to obtain a copy of their own medical records and request corrections.