Obtaining a copy of your own health record
For yourself
You may request to view or receive a copy of your hospital health record by submitting a written request.
For another health care provider
When requested, copies of your hospital health record may be released to health care providers outside of LHSC to ensure a continuity of care. Your attending physician at LHSC may also share reports or summaries of your treatment with other providers involved in your care to ensure they are aware of treatments or medications that may affect your care going forward.
Health care providers outside of LHSC can fax their request on letterhead to our Health Information Management (HIM) department.
For a different third party
If you need a copy of your hospital health record released to a lawyer, insurance company or other third party, please have the requesting party submit their completed request/authorization form to our Health Information Management (HIM) department.
Obtaining the health record of another individual
Living individuals
You may request to access the health record of another individual, with their consent, by submitting a written request to our Health Information Management (HIM) department.
Note: Consent for the collection, use and/or disclosure of personal health information is obtained from the patient, regardless of age, if the patient is capable of understanding the information presented to them, as well as the impact of consenting or declining. If the patient is not capable, consent is obtained from the Substitute Decision Maker (SDM), which may be:
- The individual's guardian
- The individual's attorney
- The individual's representative appointed by the Consent and Capacity Board
- The individual's spouse or partner
- The individual's child
- The individual's sibling, parent or other relative
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.
Deceased individuals
You may request to access the health record of a deceased individual by submitting a written request to our Health Information Management (HIM) department. You will also be required to submit 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 that confirms your legal signing authority.
