Health, Chiropractors; Access to X-Rays in Possession of Hospitals

Subject:

Health, Chiropractors; Access to X-Rays in Possession of Hospitals

Requested By:

The Honorable Ramey F. Kemp Member of the House of Representatives North Carolina General Assembly

Question:

Under current statutes may a chiropractor review the diagnostic X-ray records of his patient when such records are in the possession of a hospital which receives aid or support from the public?

Conclusion:

Yes.

As amended by the 1977 General Assembly, G.S. 90-153 provided as follows:

"A licensed chiropractor in this State may have access to and practice chiropractic in any hospital or sanitarium in this State that received aid or support from the public, and shall have access to diagnostic X-ray records and laboratory records relating to the chiropractor’s patient." (Emphasis Supplied)

This statute clearly authorizes a chiropractor to review the records described in the question, which such entitlement including access to the X-rays themselves. It would seem that the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation was threefold: (a) to obviate unnecessary costs in the delivery of health care; (b) to prevent unnecessary explosure of patients to radiation; and (c) to enable chiropractors to engage fully in the practice of chiropractic.

Rufus L. Edmisten Attorney General

William F. O’Connell Special Deputy Attorney General

Robert R. Reilly Assistant Attorney General