OAR 333-003-0050: Access to Individually Identifiable Health Information

(1) During a declared public health emergency the Public Health Director and local public health administrators shall be given immediate access to individually identifiable health information. (2) If the Public Health Director has been authorized to take a public health action under ORS 431A.015, the Public Health Director may adopt reporting requirements for health care providers, institutions and facilities for the purpose of obtaining information directly related to the public health threat presented, including the reporting of individually identifiable health information for individuals with or exposed to: (a) A communicable disease; (b) A reportable disease; or (c) A condition of public health importance. (3) To the extent possible, whenever access to individually identifiable health information is needed under subsections (1) or (2) of this rule the Public Health Director or local public health administrator will provide the request for information in writing. (4) A written request for information, when provided, shall include, but is not limited to: (a) The legal authority for requiring the information; (b) An explanation of why the access to individually identifiable health information is necessary; (c) A description of the information needed; and (d) An explanation of how the information must be provided or made available to public health officials. (5) To the extent possible, the Public Health Director and local public health authority will coordinate requests for information to avoid duplicate requests to the same facility or provider.