In re Search Warrant for Medical Records of C.T.

The defendant, Exeter Hospital, Inc. (Hospital), appeals the November 24, 2008 order of the Portsmouth District Court (Gardner, J.) requiring the Hospital to turn over the medical records of C.T. pursuant to a search warrant. Although the Hospital complied with the warrant, it seeks clarification of its obligations in the future to produce a patient’s medical records in response to a search warrant without the patient’s authorization or consent. We affirm, but set forth additional procedures to be followed when the State seeks privileged medical records by search warrant.

The record evidences…