Confidentiality

All medical records at University Health Services are strictly confidential. Information about a student's care will be released only with the student's written permission or in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices.

All University Health Services staff, student employees, and volunteers adhere to established ethical principles and codes of professional practice, including patient confidentiality.

All information concerning students' visits to University Health Services, including their identity, reason for the visit, diagnosis, treatments, and billing information, is considered confidential information.

What Confidentiality Means to Students

Students at Penn State can be assured that their medical records are strictly confidential and will only be released in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices,  with the student's permission, by order of the court, or in the event of a  life-threatening situation in which the student is so ill/injured he/she cannot provide consent. Medical records are not available to parents, professors, roommates, and friends.

What Confidentiality Means to Parents

It is certainly understandable that as concerned parents of students who have been ill, you may want access to information in your son or daughter's medical record. Unfortunately, patient confidentiality standards prohibit University Health Services from allowing parents access to students' medical records without the student's written authorization. Please have your student stop by the Health Information Management office to complete the authorization form (forms must be completed in person by the student and photo ID must be presented).