Saint Clare’s Patient Admissions

Open Admissions Policy

It is, and has always been, the policy of Saint Clare’s Health System to admit all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, age, physical and mental handicap, national origin, social or economic status. All medical center facilities are available to patients and visitors without discrimination.

Patient Admissions Procedure

Patients register at the Registration and Admissions areas, where a member of our Admissions staff will verify the necessary personal, medical, and insurance information. If you register as inpatient, you will be issued a special identification wristband, which must be worn at all times until you are discharged from Saint Clare’s Health System. Additionally, a room assignment will also be made during the admission process. Note: The information on your chart is permanently recorded and is released only with written consent, except where required by law.

Patient Consent for Treatment Forms

These forms must be completed and signed by the patient or appropriate surrogate prior to treatment or therapy. The forms are designed for the protection of the patient as well as Saint Clare’s Health System. Please read these forms carefully and feel free to ask any questions you may have before signing.

Patient Medical Records

Following your visit or stay at Saint Clare’s, you may need to obtain a copy of your medical records, or authorize Saint Clare’s to disclose health information for the purpose of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations outside Saint Clare’s Health System facilities.

In order to comply with state and federal regulations for release of information, Saint Clare’s requires a valid authorization to be completed by the patient or representative before information may be released. For your convenience, Saint Clare’s has developed a Release of Information authorization form. To request a copy of a medical record, please print and complete the entire form, taking note of the following information:

• Patient’s name, date of birth, and social security number.
• Hospital medical record or account number (if available).
• Specify what information is being requested.
• Date(s) of service.
• Type of service (inpatient, emergency, outpatient, etc.).
• To whom the records are being sent (name/address).
• The patient/legal guardian’s dated signature.

Mail or fax the completed form to:
Saint Clare’s Health Information Center
400 West Blackwell Street
Dover, NJ 07801
Fax: 973-989-3061

Timing
State and federal law allows up to 30 days to respond to an initial request for information, and up to a 30 day extension to this deadline, as necessary. This timeframe is intended to allow the hospital and physicians time to complete the many required documents and reports prior to release. All efforts will be made to provide the requested information in a timely manner.

Fees:
State and federal laws allow fees to be charged for the retrieval and copying of records under certain circumstances. You will be informed of any such fees prior to the actual copying and release of information.

For more information regarding requesting copies of patient medical records, please call Saint Clare’s Health Information Center (Patient Records):

Denville……….973-625-6507
Dover………….973-989-3660
Sussex…………973-702-2609