Section 115.27. Confidentiality of medical records

All records shall be treated as confidential. Only authorized personnel shall have access to the records. The written authorization of the patient shall be presented and then maintained in the original record as authority for release of medical information outside the hospital.

Notation

Notes of Decisions

Assertion of Confidentiality Privilege

Since a hospital owes a duty to limit access to the medical records of its patients, it is proper to consider a claim of physician-patient privilege by a hospital when its medical records are subpoenaed, even though such right or privilege is ordinarily properly asserted only by the patient. In re June 1979 Allegheny County Investigating Grand Jury, 415 A.2d 73 (Pa. 1980).

Evidence Not Excluded

Blood alcohol test results which were reported to a police officer were not suppressed under the exclusionary rule in that the patient’s rights were violated by the nurse who volunteered the information as a private individual, not the police officer. Commonwealth v. Ellis, 608 A.2d 1090 (Pa. Super. 1992); appeal denied 620 A.2d 489 (Pa. 1993).

Argument by a defendant, charged with driving under the influence, that medical purposes blood test should have been suppressed by hospital personnel in accordance with confidentiality regulations failed because the regulations governing confidentiality were subject to the exceptions contained in the Motor Vehicle Code which provide that no hospital or medical personnel may refuse to perform or provide the results of a blood alcohol test when requested by a police officer. Commonwealth v. Hipp, 551 A.2d 1086 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1988).

Cross References

This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 115.28 (relating to ownership).