Medical Records

Please note that we can release a patient's medical records only after receiving proper written permission. Starting at age 18, patients typically must authorize the release of their health information.

How to request medical records

Keep in mind that requesting copies of all medical records on file may delay processing and become costly. If you need records to help inform the patient's ongoing care or to get an overview of care received, a patient abstract would likely be sufficient.

The charge for paper copies is 25 cents per page. Requests are processed within about 15 days. You can request medical records online, by mail or in person -- see below for instructions.

You're also welcome to view medical records in our offices at no charge. If you'd like to set up an appointment to view your child's medical records, or if you're at least 18 years old and wish to view your own records, please call Health Information Management at the campus where the care took place. The numbers are listed below.

Online

You can submit an online request for medical records. Once they're ready, simply download the records.

Click one of the buttons below, depending on where your child was treated.

By mail

Complete and sign an authorization for release of health information form; then mail it to one of the Health Information Management offices below, depending on where your child was treated.

You also have the option to mail us a letter instead of an authorization form. For Oakland patients, the letter should include the following information:

• Patient's name and date of birth
• Date of visit
• Description of the information you're requesting (for example, surgery report or X-ray report)
• Purpose of request (for example, personal use, doctor’s use or court documentation)
• Delivery address
• Requesting person's name, signature and relationship to patient
• Copy of requesting person's photo ID

For San Francisco patients, the letter should include the following information:

• Patient's medical record or unit number
• Patient's full name at the time of treatment
• Description of the information you're requesting
• Requesting person's name and signature

In person

You may drop off your request and pick up the records in person at one of our offices. If your child was seen at our Oakland campus, you also have the option to drop off authorization forms and medical record requests at the concierge desk, located on the first floor of the Oakland Outpatient Center.

When picking up medical records, you must bring a photo ID to verify your identity.

How to amend a medical record

We can amend or correct your child's medical records only after receiving a proper written request. If you wish to amend a San Francisco patient's medical record, please contact Patient Relations. For patients who were seen at our Oakland campus, you may send either a completed amendment/correction request form or a letter to the Oakland Health Information Management office at the address below.

If submitting a letter, please include the following information:

• Patient's name and date of birth
• Description of the incorrect information as well as the correct information
• Purpose of your request
• Delivery address
• Requesting person's name, signature and relationship to patient

We will respond within 60 days of receiving your request.

How to get copies of medical images and reports

If your child is a San Francisco patient, you may request a CD of medical images and reports free of charge. Simply print out and complete an authorization for release of health information form, then email or fax it to the UCSF Radiology Imaging Library in San Francisco.

Please include the following information with your request:

• Patient's name and birth date
• Medical record number, if you know it
• Your telephone number
• Date of exam and type of exam
• Your mailing address, including zip code

If your child's an Oakland patient, contact the Radiology Department in Oakland to get a CD of your child’s medical images. You'll need to visit the office in person to fill out a release form and verify your identity before you can pick up the CD.

Privacy

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals are committed to protecting our patients' privacy. For information about your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of patients' health and personal information, please download our Notice of Privacy Practice.