In response to the recent outbreak of Hepatitis C at Exeter Hospital, The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services has requested broad access to Exeter Hospital's medical record systems, according to an announcement by the hospital.  The requested records contain confidential and private health information on all patients but the hospital contends access to the patient records is restricted by both state and federal laws. Exeter Hospital has filed an action seeking judicial guidance on that request in Merrimack Superior Court, and are hoping for an expedited hearing and ruling. The hospital released a statement saying that they hope to find a way to provide the DPHS' investigators with limited access to those records, providing them with what they need for their investigation, but without violating patients' legal rights.