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{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = health}}
==Who do medical records belong to?Understand your legal rights==Many people think that their medical records are their own property, and that if they want to see them, they just have to ask. That’s only partly true. Your medical records actually belong to the doctor, hospital, or other place that made them, not to you. That’s also true for dental records and nursing home records. But the information in the medical records belongs to you. And normally, you have a right to see that information. The records should include any treatment or procedure that went wrong because courts have said that doctors have a legal duty to give patients that type of information.
==Medical =The information in your medical records that your doctor keepsbelongs to you===Doctors must keep Many people think their medical records are their own property, and if they want to see them, they just have to ask. That’s only partly true. Your medical records for at least 16 years from actually belong to the last entry in the recorddoctor, hospital, or from when the patient reaches the age of majority (19 years old in BC)—whichever comes laterother place that made them, not to you. That’s also true for dental records and nursing home records.
==Accuracy and privacy of hospital ==Fixing a mistake in your records====The ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96165_00 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act]'' requires hospitals to make sure If you think the information doctor made a mistake in your medical records is accurate and to keep it private. This law also gives , you the right to can ask the hospital them to correct any errors or omissions in your recordsfix it. The hospital doctor has to make a note of your request. But once medical information is recorded, it is not supposed to be destroyed or changed based on a patient’s request.
If a hospital refuses to let you see your records, it must tell you why. If you disagree with the hospital’s decision, you can ask the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC to review it.
===If you want someone asks to see information your medical records===There are situations in which someone may ask for your permission to see your medical records (. For example:*If you apply for examplelife or health insurance, you want a family member the insurance company may ask to help see medical information before giving you make healthcare decisions) talk insurance.*An employer may ask to your healthcare provider about letting the person receive your see medical recordsinformation if you apply for a job that’s safety-sensitive.
==What If you want your medical records destroyed?Get help==The law requires medical records to be kept for the times explained above, so doctors and hospitals cannot destroy your medical records even if you ask them to.
==More =With more information===Check the The '''College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC''' deals with complaints against doctors in BC.:Toll-free: 1-800-461-3008:Web: [httpshttp://www.oipccpsbc.bcca/ cpsbc.ca/guidance-documents/1470 ] The '''Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for BC Physician Privacy Toolkit] produced ''' deals with complaints against hospitals and other public bodies such as health authorities. It also reviews decisions by the health care providers in private practice, including where and how your medical records are shared.:Toll-free: 1-800-663-7867:Web: [httpshttp://www.oipc.bc.ca/ Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for British Columbiaoipc.bc.ca].
[updated June 2018]
'''The above was edited last reviewed for legal accuracy by John BloisMichelle Stimac, College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.'''
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