Dedicated to Discovery. Committed to Care.

Medical Records

DFCI Health Information Services Department (Medical Records)

We are staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A skeletal staff is available on weekends and holidays for direct patient care services only.

Please contact us at (617) 632-3225.

The department keeps outpatient medical records; Brigham and Women's Hospital maintains an inpatient's cancer information.

To Obtain Copies of Your Medical Records

To obtain a photocopy of your medical records, please submit a signed copy of the Authorization for Release of Medical Records form. To obtain a copy of this form, please call (617) 632-2955 and one will be sent to you.

Please note that you, anyone to whom you give permission, or your legal representatives, have the right to read or get a copy of your medical information. However, this special authorization form is required if your medical record contains sensitive information. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Confidential details of:

  • Psychotherapy (from records of treatment by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, or psychiatric clinical nurse specialist)
  • Other professional services of a licensed psychologist
  • Social work counseling/therapy
  • Domestic violence victims' counseling
  • Sexual assault counseling
  • HIV test results (patient authorization required for each release request)
  • Records pertaining to sexually-transmitted diseases
  • Alcohol and drug abuse records that are protected by Federal Confidentiality Rules (42 CFR Part 2).

You should know that:

  • Once your request is received, it takes approximately 5-7 business days for the record to be photocopied and mailed.

Privacy Questions?

If you have questions about the privacy of your medical records, please speak with your health-care provider, a member of his or her staff, or the Health Information Services Director or Designee, as appropriate. They will be happy to help you.

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Patti Branowicki

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As an experienced nurse, Patti Branowicki knew about the physical and emotional turmoil that cancer inflicts on patients. What she didn't know was what it actually felt like to have the disease. That all changed last winter, however, when she was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer.
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