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News & Knowledge

Maryland Handbook: Record Disposal

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

Before destroying medical records, review recommended retention guidelines to ensure that records are disposed of in the proper timeframe. Medical Mutual recommends that you keep adult patients’ records for 11 years after the patient’s last contact with your office. Records of patients who experience unexpected bad outcomes should be kept indefinitely, especially if there is a concern about a future lawsuit.
Maryland requires that medical records must be disposed of in a manner that protects confidentiality of personal or protected health or patient information.
A healthcare provider shall ensure confidentiality of medical records throughout the disposal process:
  1. for paper…

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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