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News & Knowledge

Maryland Handbook: Record Retention

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR MEDICAL RECORDS?

Medical Mutual’s first and best advice on record retention is that medical records from all sources be kept in their original form forever. With electronic medical records, maintaining copies of patient records is possible and cost effective. However, we recognize that EMRs are not practical for all medical offices, especially if the practice maintains paper records. Laws and regulations that govern medical record retention vary by state.
Maryland code provides specific medical record retention requirements and states that except for a minor patient, unless a patient is notified, a healthcare provider may not destroy a medical record or laboratory or x-ray report about a patient for five years…

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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