special subjects
Confidentiality and HIPAA
Access to medical records
Typically, patients or their authorized representatives should be able to see and obtain copies of their medical records and request corrections if they identify errors. For purposes of the Privacy Rule, an authorized "personal representative" of the patient is a guardian or conservator with authority over health decisions, an agent or proxy appointed in an advance directive or Durable power of attorney for health care , or a family member or friend authorized to serve as a surrogate for health decisions under state law. Patients also have the right to give another person access to all or part of their medical records by a signed, written authorization. 