Collection, use, access and/or disclosure of personal health information is governed by Ontario law (Personal Health Information Protection Act 2004). You have a right, by law, to access your own hospital health record either by viewing or requesting a copy.
You can obtain a copy of your own hospital health record by submitting a written request to the Health Records department.
A person can review their own health record at the health care facility where they were treated, by submitting a written request to the Health Records department.
In the case of a conflict, the capable patient's decision prevails with respect to consent for the collection, use and/or disclosure of their personal health information.
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 as well as a written request, to the Health Records department.
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 submitting a written request to the Health Records department.
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.