for conservation and improvement of health care. In doing so, they will see that all
needed information is promptly entered into the HRECs in their custody. If any such
information is omitted, they will take the needed action to have it included.
(2) When an AMEDD officer examines or treats a person whose HREC is not
in his custody, he will send the appropriate record to the person's HREC custodian.
These records will be sent sealed in an envelope stamped or plainly marked "Health (or
Dental) Records." In addition to the address, the envelope will be stamped or plainly
marked "Health (or Dental) Record of (person's name, grade, and SSN)." The person's
unit of assignment will also be shown. (If the HREC custodian is not known, the
document will be sent to the MEDDAC, MEDCEN, or DENTAC commander of the
person's assigned installation.)
2-4.
ACCESS
Access to Health Records is restricted. When officially needed, information from
HRECs or copies of documents in it are supplied by the MTF commander or patient
administrator. The procedures for accessing the HREC files are discussed in detail in
Subcourse MDO753. All personnel having access to HRECs will protect the privacy of
medical information. The extent of access is described in the following paragraphs.
a. Medical Personnel. AMEDD personnel are allowed direct access to HRECs
for purposes of diagnosis, treatment, and the prevention of medical and dental
conditions. They also have access to work for the health of a command and to do
medical research.
b. Service Members. If a service member requests , information from his
HREC or copies of the documents in it will be given to him. If the record is a special
category record , see paragraph 2-6e, AR 340-21. A special category record is
individually identified and specially handled to reduce the risk of harming or
embarrassing the patient and to ensure its medicolegal integrity. The procedures for
handling a special category record are covered in Subcourse MDO753.
c. Inspectors. Personnel inspecting an MTF are allowed direct access to
HRECs. This includes personnel conducting Technical Proficiency Inspections under
AR 20-1; it also includes Technical Standardization Inspections conducted by the
Defense Nuclear Agency. Inspectors may have access to HRECs to evaluate the
compliance of AMEDD personnel with regulations. All inspectors must respect the
confidentiality of the HRECs they inspect.
d. Graves Registration Personnel. Graves registration personnel are allowed
direct access to the HRECs of personnel killed in action or missing. They may have
access to extract medical and dental information needed by their service.
MD0751
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