What are the legal requirements for medical records retention?
In Washington, medical records retention is governed by state laws and regulations. Generally, health care providers must keep patient records for at least 10 years after the patient’s last visit. This includes any records related to diagnosis, treatment, or payment. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requires a patient’s medical records be kept for seven years, and radiologic and pathology reports must be kept for 10 years. Any medical records that contain information protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) must be kept for six years from the date of the last interaction with the patient. In addition, the Washington Administrative Code requires health care providers to keep immunization records for at least 10 years after the date of administration. Medical records may not be thrown away or destroyed until the required retention period is up. Instead, health care providers must securely store these records and ensure they are not accessed by unauthorized persons. Health care providers must also keep an up-to-date inventory of all records and any changes that are made to them. In general, medical records must be kept longer if a lawsuit is pending involving the patient’s care. In these cases, records should be kept until the case is resolved. If medical records are destroyed before the required retention period is up, the provider could be liable for any damages that result.
Related FAQs
How does health care law affect me?What are the legal implications of health care reform?
What are the legal implications of health care reform for employers?
What are the legal issues surrounding end-of-life care?
What are the legal implications of medical device safety?
What are the legal implications of health insurance?
What is the law on medical negligence?
What is the difference between health care law and insurance law?
What is the legal framework for drug safety?
What is the legal framework for pharmacy practice?
Related Blog Posts
How Health Care Law Affects Your Patients - July 31, 2023The Latest Updates on Health Care Law - August 7, 2023
Understanding Health Care Law in the United States - August 14, 2023
The Impact of Health Care Law on Physician Practices - August 21, 2023
Navigating the Regulatory Requirements of Health Care Law - August 28, 2023