Location: Your Privacy >> Accessing Your Health Information

How Do I Access My Personal Health Information?

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Viewing a Health Record

A person can view their own health record at the health care facility where they were treated. The same guidelines apply for viewing the health record of an individual under the age of 16, or viewing the health record of the deceased patient as outlined below.

Obtaining a Copy of a Health Record

• Obtaining a copy of your own health record: You can obtain a copy of your own hospital health record by submitting an Authorization for Release of Patient Information form to the Health Records Department. These forms are available through SHHA’s Health records department. Once completed the form must be either mailed or dropped off in person to the Health Records Department.
• Obtaining a copy of the health record of an individual under the age of 16: To obtain a copy of a health record of an individual under the age of 16, a parent, or legal guardian must submit an Authorization for Release of Patient Information form to Health Records Department. These forms are available through SHHA’s Health Record Department. Once completed the form must be either mailed or dropped off in person to the Health Records Department.
• Obtaining a copy of the health record of a deceased patient:  If you are requesting a copy of the hospital record of a patient that is deceased, you must submit proof of your legal signing authority in addition to an Authorization for Release of Patient Information form to Health Records Department. These forms are available through SHHA’s Health Records Department. Once completed the form must be either mailed or dropped off in person to the Health Record Department.
  • You must provide either:
    • a copy of the deceased person's Will naming you as the Executor or,
    • in the absence of a Will, a letter notarized by a lawyer to confirm your legal signing authority.
• Obtaining a copy of the health record for a third party:  You can request that a copy of your hospital health record be released to a lawyer, insurance company, or any other third party specified by you, by completing an Authorization for Release of Patient Information form to Health Records Department. These forms are available through SHHA’s Health Records Department. Once completed the form must be either mailed or dropped off in person to the Health Records Department.
• Obtaining a copy of the health record for other health care providers:   When requested, copies of your health record may be released to health care providers outside the hospital to ensure the best continuing care for you. Your attending physician at the hospital may also share reports or summaries of your treatment at the hospital with other physicians and health care providers involved in your care to ensure they are aware of treatments or medications that may affect your ongoing care.

How Do I Correct My Personal Health Information?

If demographic information, e.g., name, address, phone # etc., is incorrect, you can contact:

Patient Registration.
SHHA – 519-235-2700 and press 0
If you feel that any other information in your health record is incorrect, or needs to be amended, contact the Privacy Office. Your request will be reviewed by the Privacy Office and the author of the record. By law, the hospitals are not required to correct a professional opinion or observation made in good faith about a patient. Please contact the Privacy Office at privacy@shha.on.ca or by phone 519-235-2700 Ext.5176 if you have any questions.

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