The research agenda of the Foundation includes a broad spectrum of work including health services research, applied clinical research, clinical trials, and basic science.
Using information in medical records on medical histories, trends and documented health care outcomes, investigators at HealthPartners Research Foundation contribute to an evidence base for improving health and medical care. Important discoveries in medical records research have improved health care and medical practice, leading to higher-quality care for patients. Medical records research has identified risk factors and effective treatments for life-threatening diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and disease.
HealthPartners is required to give members privacy information on a regular basis. If you visit a HealthPartners clinic or affiliated hospital, you will be asked to sign a form that gives you the option to decline use of your medical record for research purposes. By choosing not to opt out of medical records research, you are helping advance medical care that benefits your health and the health care that we deliver to you and your family. If you do not want to have your record reviewed, we will honor your decision. Your current and future health care will not be affected by this decision. You may change your mind at any time. If you do change your mind, write us a letter stating your wishes.
Your health record information is kept strictly confidential. Data are collected and coded in a manner to keep individual names and identities confidential. Further protection of confidentiality is ensured by rigorous review of research studies by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB consists of physicians, scientists, administrators, and community members, who review each study to ensure that patient information is safely kept throughout the duration of the study.
If you have questions about medical records research at HPRF, contact the Office of Research Subjects at 651-254-3391.
