Medical Records
Accessing your medical information
Columbia Memorial Hospital is committed to both protecting your personal health information and making it available to you so that you can be an equal partner in your health care decisions.
As a patient at CMH, your rights include: "The right to access information contained in his or her clinical records within a reasonable time frame. The hospital must not frustrate the legitimate efforts of individuals to gain access to their own medical records and must actively seek to meet these requests as quickly as its keeping system permits."
You may access your medical record in three ways:
- By asking your health care provider to review your medical chart with you.
- By joining our online patient portal, myCMH. (Please Note: This is an abbreviated version of your medical record. Some test results may not be available on myCMH.)
- By requesting a copy of your medical record from the Medical Records Department.
Want to learn more about the CMH Patient Portal? Listen to a podcast episode recorded with Katie Allen and Mindy Hazen, CMH IT Clinical Analysts, in 2022. Episodes of CMH's Hands on Health podcast are available at anchor.fm/columbiamemorial or wherever you listen to podcasts.
As part of our commitment to person-centered care, we maintain a policy of allowing patients to read their own charts. If you would like to review the contents of your medical chart, please ask your nurse or medical provider at any time during a hospital stay or clinic visit.
When reviewing your record, please understand that your health condition and test results are documented using medical language and standards. If you see a notation in your record that you have questions about, please ask for an explanation. Your care team is here to help you understand your health care needs and respond to any questions or concerns that you may have.
Log on to myCMH
Get results faster! MyCMH is your secure online gateway to your health care information — including lab and imaging results. You can access myCMH through your home computer or anytime, anywhere with your smartphone (download the app: HealtheLife). Sign in to myCMH.
Through myCMH you can:
- See future appointments and request appointment.
- See medications, allergies and immunizations.
- Review your vital signs, height and weight.
- Get your lab and imaging results.
- Read patient education information.
How do I sign up?
You will be invited to sign up for myCMH at your next visit. If you would like to sign up for myCMH before your next visit, follow the steps below:
- Self-enroll in myCMH Portal here. You can verify yourself by using either your MRN (medical record number) or the email address in your medical record. A six-digit verification code will be sent to your email to verify your online health account.
- After verification, you can finish creating your account. You'll need to enter your:
- Name.
- Birth date.
- Email address.
- Gender.
- Username.
- Password.
- Security question/answer.
- Once your account is created, you can access it anytime by clicking on the green myCMH Patient Portal button in the top right corner.
MyCMH frequently asked questions
Q: I received an error message.
A: Call technical support at 1.877.621.8014 for assistance. Please note: This number does not connect you to CMH; it will connect you to Cerner technical support.
Q: I expected an email invitation, but I didn't receive one.
A: First check for the email in your spam or junk mail folder. If you cannot find the email invitation, please call your clinic or CMH Registration. We will confirm your email address and send another invitation.
Q: I'm having problems with my challenge question.
A: If the answer to your "Challenge Question" doesn't work, or you can't remember it, please call your clinic or CMH Registration at 503.325.4321. We will send you another invitation.
Q: I need to reset my password.
A: Click the "Sign In with Cerner Health" button. Click the "Forgot Password?" link.
Q: I need help understanding my lab tests or imaging study.
A: Please call your health care provider. They can explain the significance of your results.
Q: I need a copy of my complete medical record.
A: To request a copy of your health record, contact CMH Medical Records Department at 503.338.7528.
You may request a copy of your medical record. Please complete a Release of Information Form and mail, fax or deliver it in person to:
Medical Records
2111 Exchange St.
Astoria, OR 97103
Phone: 503.338.7528
Fax: 503.325.6841
Please download the form or call 503.338.7528 to request the form by mail.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who can request copies of a patient's medical record?
A: There are four different people who may request access to a patient's medical record: 1) adult patients may ask for copies of their own medical records, 2) a parent or legal guardian may ask for copies of their minor child's medical records, 3) a person with a legal power of attorney may ask for copies of the medical records of someone named in the power of attorney (for example, wife, husband or partner, a disabled adult), 4) the legal next of kin may ask for copies of a deceased patient's medical records. A death certificate is required with the request.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Records are free to patients who request their records.
Q: How long does it take to get my medical record?
A: Depending on the size of the record it may take 72 to 96 business hours.
Q: What does the information mean?
A: It is always best to review your medical record with your doctor. Your health condition and test results are documented using medical language and standards. Your care team is here to help you understand and interpret the information in your medical record.
Q: Something doesn't look right. What do I do?
A: If you think you have a correction to specific information on your record, call Medical Records at 503.338.7528. You can talk about your concerns then, and, if needed, request an amendment of medical records form. An accepted amendment will be made part of your permanent health record.