Medical Records/HIM Services
Van Diest Medical Center is committed to protecting your privacy. Hospital staff members treat your medical information in compliance with federal and state requirements. Van Diest Medical Center’s Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you may access this information. Medical records will not be released without a written authorization. For continued patient care directly to a physician’s office or healthcare facility or in the event of an emergency, Van Diest Medical Center may also request written authorization by the patient or responsible physician.
To authorize us to forward a copy of your medical records directly to a physician, you must complete the Authorization to Release Information available on line or from our office or a similar release form supplied by your healthcare provider. Usually this is limited to key documents in the record rather than copies of the entire record. In an emergency situation, your records may be sent to another hospital without authorization. When you request your records, there may be a charge for photocopies. The medical record at Van Diest Medical Center is an electronic medical record and we do accept requests for records to be released in electronic format; i.e. compact disc.
Patients may request access to view their medical information. Appointments must be made in advance with the Release of Information staff. When the patient arrives, he/she will be requested to complete a form related to that request.
For questions regarding requests for copies of medical records, please contact the Medical Records Department at 515-832-7726. Business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our fax number is 515-832-9494.