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News & Knowledge

Risk Management Guide: Medical Record Destruction and Disposal

The life cycle of a medical record does not end until information has been destroyed. According to the American Health Information Association (AHIMA), destruction is a key component of the record retention program because it completes the life cycle of a record. Due to storage capacity, fiscal restraints, and legal constraints, most organizations and clinicians cannot maintain records indefinitely. Before destroying medical records, review recommended retention guidelines. HIPAA requirement related to destruction and disposal The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that covered entities apply appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of protected health information (PHI) in any form. Covered entities…

Curi’s risk mitigation resources and guidance are offered for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not medical or legal advice, does not replace independent professional judgment, does not constitute an endorsement of any kind, should not be deemed authoritative, and does not establish a standard of care in clinical settings or in courts of law. If you need legal advice, you should consult your independent/corporate counsel. We have found that using risk mitigation efforts can reduce malpractice risk; however, we do not make any guarantees that following these risk recommendations will prevent a complaint, claim, or suit from occurring, or mitigate the outcome(s) associated with any of them.

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