Medical Records

St. Mary's Health Information Management Department is committed to maintaining complete and accurate patient data and making it available in a timely fashion.

By law, patients have the right to inspect their medical records, to receive copies of their medical records or to obtain a summary of their records. Original medical records are the property of the hospital. Our staff is available to assist you with requests for medical records.

Accessing Your Medical Records

To receive access to your medical records, or to have them released to others, please complete one of the following forms:

• AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OR DISCLOSURE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION: used when the patient want the records to go to anyone other than themselves.
• PATIENT’S REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION: used when the patient wants a copy of their records for themselves.

Send Your Request To

St. Mary's Medical Center 
Health Information Department
450 Stanyan Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

To avoid delays, please review the applicable form carefully and complete all sections. If the patient is a minor (less than 18 years of age), in most cases, a parent or legal guardian must sign.

If the cost to copy your medical records exceeds $20.00, we will notify you for fee approval. Appropriate photo I.D. is required to pick up copies of medical records. If a physician's approval is required prior to release of medical records, additional time may be necessary.

There is a processing fee to make copies of medical records. This fee must be paid in full before St. Mary's can fulfill your request. It's $.25 per page plus tax and 5% shipping and handling when applicable.

Limitations of the Law

• Psychiatric records: The hospital may deny a medical records request if the physician/provider believes there may be significant adverse consequences of disclosure. If this occurs, the patient may name a licensed physician, psychological or social worker to inspect or receive copies.
• Parent or Guardian: The hospital may deny access to a parent or guardian when disclosure may have a detrimental effect on the treatment relationship with the minor.
• Alcohol/drug abuse records: Federal regulations place some additional limitations on access to these records. These limitations are the same as those referenced in "psychiatric records."

Learn More

For more information, please call (415) 750-5767 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.