How longv do you keep inactive medical records?

The retention period for inactive medical records varies depending on the healthcare provider and the governing regulations. Here are some general guidelines for record retention periods:

1. United States:

- According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), healthcare providers must retain patient records for at least six years from the date of the last treatment or the date of payment for services, whichever is later.

- Some states have additional or different record retention requirements, which may extend beyond the federal guidelines.

2. Canada:

- The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recommends that medical records be retained for a minimum of ten years from the date of the last treatment or the date the patient reaches the age of majority, whichever is later.

- Some provincial health regulations may have specific retention requirements that differ from the CMA guidelines.

3. United Kingdom:

- The General Medical Council (GMC) in the United Kingdom recommends that medical records be retained for a minimum of ten years from the date of the last entry.

- For children, records should be kept until they reach the age of 25 or for eight years from the date of the last entry, whichever is longer.

4. European Union:

- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union requires that personal data, including medical records, be retained only for as long as necessary for the purpose of the processing.

- Once the purpose is fulfilled, the data should be securely disposed of or anonymized.

It's important for healthcare providers to consult the relevant regulations and guidelines in their jurisdiction to ensure compliance with record retention requirements. Failure to comply may result in legal consequences and compromise patient trust.