Delaware Handbook: Record Disposal

WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL RECORDS?

In Delaware, generally records must be disposed of in a manner that protects confidentiality of personal or protected health or patient information.

Scenarios involving record disposal include:

1. a physician discontinuing practice or leaving the state;
2. death of a physician; or
3. change of physician and transfer of patient records.

 

Delaware statutes require patient records to be maintained for seven (7) years from the last entry date in the patient’s medical record. However, in most cases, medical records should be retained for a period exceeding that recommended period. Curi recommends that you keep adult patients’ records for eleven (11) years after the patient’s last contact with…