Claremore Indian Hospital Patients Face Deadline To Secure Records Before Transitio

By Cara Cowan Watts, Cherokee 411

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Current and former patients of Claremore Indian Hospital have until 4:30 p.m. today to request copies of their medical records before the facility officially transitions from Indian Health Service management to Cherokee Nation control on Oct. 1.

According to IHS staff, patients must complete Form IHS-810 and submit it to the hospital’s records department by the deadline. Those unable to appear in person may mail the completed form to:

ATTN: Liz ValliereIHS Records Department701 Market DriveOklahoma City, OK 73131

The IHS-810 form, “Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information,” is available online:

• IHS Patient Forms

• IHS-810 PDF

  
  

If no request is made, patient files will be archived with IHS headquarters in Oklahoma City for 75 years. How those records will be integrated into Cherokee Nation’s new electronic health record system remains unclear, and patients may need to submit additional release forms for their records to transfer.

Many patients have not been formally notified of the transition or the possibility that their files will not automatically move into the Cherokee Nation Health Services electronic health record system.

Officials have not yet provided details on the release process. Cherokee 411 will update this story as new information becomes available.