How long do optometrists have e to keep medical records?

The retention period for optometric records varies depending on the jurisdiction and the specific regulations in place. Here are some general guidelines:

United States:

* The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires covered entities, including optometrists, to retain patient records for at least six years from the date of the last treatment.

* Some states have additional requirements, which may extend the retention period beyond six years. For example, California requires optometrists to retain patient records for at least seven years.

Canada:

* The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) requires health care providers, including optometrists, to retain patient records for at least 10 years from the date of the last treatment.

United Kingdom:

* The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires data controllers, including optometrists, to retain personal data for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

* The College of Optometrists recommends that optometrists retain patient records for at least 10 years from the date of the last treatment.

Australia:

* The Privacy Act 1988 requires health service providers, including optometrists, to retain patient records for at least seven years from the date of the last treatment.

It's important for optometrists to be aware of the applicable record retention requirements in their jurisdiction and to ensure that they have policies and procedures in place to comply with these requirements.