Subdivision 1.Definition.

As used in this section:

(a) “Directory information” means name of the patient, date admitted, and general condition.

(b) “Medical data” are data collected because an individual was or is a patient or client of a hospital, nursing home, medical center, clinic, health or nursing agency operated by a government entity including business and financial records, data provided by private health care facilities, and data provided by or about relatives of the individual.

Subd. 2.Public hospitals; directory information.

(a) During the time that a person is a patient in a hospital operated by a government entity under legal commitment, directory information is public data. After the person is released by termination of the person’s legal commitment, the directory information is private data on individuals.

(b) If a person is a patient other than pursuant to commitment in a hospital controlled by a government entity, directory information is public data unless the patient requests otherwise, in which case it is private data on individuals.

(c) Directory information about an emergency patient who is unable to communicate which is public under this subdivision shall not be released until a reasonable effort is made to notify the next of kin or health care agent. Although an individual has requested that directory information be private, the hospital may release directory information to a law enforcement agency pursuant to a lawful investigation pertaining to that individual.

Subd. 3.Classification of medical data.

Unless the data is summary data or a statute specifically provides a different classification, medical data are private but are available only to the subject of the data as provided in sections 144.291 to 144.298, and shall not be disclosed to others except:

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Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 13.384

  • children: includes children by birth or adoption;

    (9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

    (10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

    (11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

    (14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

    (15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

    (16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

    (17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

    (18) "notary" means a notary public;

    (19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

    (20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45

  • Data on individuals: means all government data in which any individual is or can be identified as the subject of that data, unless the appearance of the name or other identifying data can be clearly demonstrated to be only incidental to the data and the data are not accessed by the name or other identifying data of any individual. See Minnesota Statutes 13.02
  • Government entity: means a state agency, statewide system, or political subdivision. See Minnesota Statutes 13.02
  • individual: includes a parent or guardian or an individual acting as a parent or guardian in the absence of a parent or guardian, except that the responsible authority shall withhold data from parents or guardians, or individuals acting as parents or guardians in the absence of parents or guardians, upon request by the minor if the responsible authority determines that withholding the data would be in the best interest of the minor. See Minnesota Statutes 13.02
  • Person: means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, business trust, or a legal representative of an organization. See Minnesota Statutes 13.02
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Summary data: means statistical records and reports derived from data on individuals but in which individuals are not identified and from which neither their identities nor any other characteristic that could uniquely identify an individual is ascertainable. See Minnesota Statutes 13.02

(a) pursuant to section 13.05;

(b) pursuant to section 253B.0921;

(c) pursuant to a valid court order;

(d) to administer federal funds or programs;

(e) to the surviving spouse, parents, children, siblings, and health care agent of a deceased patient or client or, if there are no surviving spouse, parents, children, siblings, or health care agent to the surviving heirs of the nearest degree of kindred;

(f) to communicate a patient’s or client’s condition to a family member, health care agent, or other appropriate person in accordance with acceptable medical practice, unless the patient or client directs otherwise; or

(g) as otherwise required by law.