News & Knowledge Virginia Handbook: Record Disposal WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL RECORDS? Before destroying medical records, review the recommended retention guidelines for Virginia (Section 3) to ensure that records are disposed of in the proper timeframe. You must keep adult patients’ records for six years after the last contact with your physician(s). Records of patients who experience unexpected bad outcomes should be kept indefinitely, especially if there is a concern about a future lawsuit. Records should never leave the practice in a readable form. They should be shredded or incinerated. If you have electronic medical records, then check with your vendor to determine the safest method for record destruction. The American Health Information Management… Are you a Curi member? The full content of this resource is available only to Curi members. Contact us if you are a member but do not have an account yet, or to learn more about becoming a Curi member. Sign in to see full post 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. READ NEXT September 14, 2023September 27, 2023Medical Records | Policy Templates Policy: Medical Records of Minor Adoptees Read more July 29, 2022February 15, 2023Forms & Templates | Medical Records | Policy Templates Policy: Record Retention Policy Read more July 29, 2022February 15, 2023Forms & Templates | Medical Records | Policy Templates Policy: Medical Record Documentation Policy Read more