Medical records retention is an important part of running a secure, organized, and compliant healthcare practice. It helps protect patient information, supports continuity of care, and helps you meet both your legal and ethical obligations.
With a clear retention schedule in place, providers can stay on top of recordkeeping tasks, avoid unnecessary risk, and keep sensitive data better protected.
In this guide, we’ll break down medical records retention requirements, explain HIPAA’s role in the process, and share a few tips that can help you manage medical records more efficiently.
Skip To Any Section:
- What is Medical Records Retention?
- Why is Medical Record Retention It Important?
- HIPAA’s Role In Records Retention
- State Specific Medical Retention Laws
- Best Practices For Managing Medical Records
- Key Components of an Effective Medical Retention Policy
- How To Create and Implement a Medical Record Retention Schedule
- Secure and Compliant Record Destruction
- The Role of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Medical Records Retention
What is Medical Records Retention?
Medical records retention is the process of storing patient health information (PHI) for a set period of time, as required by law. This includes both paper and electronic records that contain sensitive medical information, such as diagnoses, treatments, clinical notes, lab results, and medical history.
In addition to meeting legal requirements, proper records retention also plays an important role in protecting your practice. It helps you stay prepared for situations like malpractice claims, licensing board reviews, and billing audits. It also helps you maintain better organization across your practice, making day-to-day recordkeeping more manageable for your staff.
Why Medical Records Retention Matters
Medical records retention supports nearly every aspect of a well-run healthcare practice. From protecting patient data to improving operational efficiency, here’s why it matters:
Legal Compliance
Healthcare providers who manage PHI and PII need to comply with a number of state and federal privacy laws which provide rules about how long records need to be kept and how and when they should be disposed of. A retention policy helps ensure you’re meeting these requirements and protects your practice from fines, penalties, or other legal issues.
Continuity of Care
Accurate, well-maintained records support better communication between providers, making it easier to coordinate care and make informed medical decisions. This improves outcomes and ensures patients receive the treatment they need.
Efficiency
A retention policy helps healthcare professionals stay organized by providing clear guidelines on which records to keep and which to dispose of. This reduces clutter in your recordkeeping system, cuts down on administrative headaches, and makes it easier to find the information you need. With less time spent tracking down paperwork, staff can work more efficiently and stay focused on patient care.
Risk Management
Records retention policies reduce the risk of privacy law violations by giving staff clear, consistent recordkeeping rules to follow. With guidance in place, there’s no room for confusion about how records should be handled, which protects your practice from issues tied to improper storage or disposal.
HIPAA Compliance
A strong retention policy supports HIPAA compliance by helping limit how long protected health information (PHI) is kept on file. By reducing the volume of unnecessary or outdated records, it lowers the risk of exposure and helps ensure your recordkeeping practices align with HIPAA’s privacy and security standards.
Cost Control
Holding onto records longer than necessary doesn’t just drive up storage costs, it can also lead to additional expenses down the line in the form of legal fees, regulatory fines, or the added burden of managing outdated information. A retention policy helps healthcare providers avoid these kinds of hidden costs.
Better Patient Care
When records are complete and well-organized, providers can quickly understand a patient’s medical background. That kind of visibility supports better decision-making and leads to more consistent, long-term care.
Upcoming Changes to Medical Record Retention
There has been a growing trend toward longer medical records retention periods, with some states now recommending that providers keep their records for at least ten years instead of six. This updated recommendation is meant to reduce legal exposure under the False Claims Act (FCA) violations and ensure that records are available for audits, investigations, and other legal proceedings that occur beyond the 6 year standard.
Does HIPAA Have Records Retention Requirements?
HIPAA doesn’t set specific timelines for how long medical records must be kept. Its primary focus is on protecting the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), not how long records are stored. Rather than imposing a separate and possibly conflicting federal standard, HIPAA defers to each state to set it’s own medical records retention requirements.
With that said, HIPAA does require covered entities to keep certain compliance-related records, like policies, procedures, and other records tied to its Privacy and Security Rules for at least six years from the date they were created or last updated.
Its important to note that retention timelines also vary depending on the type of record or the patient population involved. For example, records related to minors, behavioral health, or substance abuse treatments may need to be kept longer.
To stay compliant, healthcare providers should carefully follow the state-specific retention guidelines listed below to ensure they’re meeting both legal requirements and the needs of their patients.
State Medical Records Retention Laws
While HIPAA sets standards for privacy and security, state medical records retention laws determine how long records need to be kept, and vary from state to state.
For example, some states require certain records to be kept longer than others, like those related to minors or substance abuse treatment. Understanding the specific regulations in your state is essential to ensure compliance and proper record management.
| State | Law, Code, Or Regulation | Medical Doctors | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ALA. ADMIN. CODE r. 420-5-7-.13 | As long as may be necessary to treat the patient and for medical legal purposes. | 5 years |
| Alaska | ALASKA STAT. § 18.20.085 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA | Adult patients: : 7 Years after patient discharge Minor patients: (Under 19): 7 Years after discharge or when the patient reaches the age of 21, whichever is longer. |
| Arizona | ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. § 12-2297 | Adult patients: 6 years after the last date of services. Minor patients: 6 years after the last date of services, or until patient reaches the age of 21. | Adult patients: 6 years after the last date of services. Minor patients: 6 years after the last date of services, or until patient reaches the age of 21 whichever is longer. |
| Arkansas | ARK. CODE R. § 007.05.17 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Adult patients: 10 years after the last discharge, but master patient index data must be kept permanently. Minor patients: Complete medical records must be retained 2 years after the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 20). |
| California | 22 CA ADC §70751 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Adult patients: 7 years after discharge. Minor patients: 7 years after discharge or 1 year after the patient reaches the age of 18 |
| Colorado | 6 COLO. CODE REGS. § 1011-1: IV-8.102 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Adult patients: 10 years after the most recent patient care usage. Minor patients: 10 years after the patient reaches the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 28). |
| Connecticut | CONN. AGENCIES REGS § 19-13-D3 | 7 years from the last date of treatment, or, upon the death of the patient, for 3 years. | 10 years after the patient has been discharged. |
| Delaware | DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24 § 1761 | 7 years from the last entry date on the patient’s record. | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. |
| Disctrict of Columbia | § 3–1210.11. | 5 years from the date of last contact for an adult and a minimum period of 5 years after a minor reaches the age of majority. | 10 years following the date of discharge |
| Florida | FLA. ADMIN. CODE ANN. r. 64B8-10.002 | 5 years from the last patient contact. | Public hospitals: 7 years after the last entry. |
| Georgia | GA. COMP. R. & REGS. § 111- 8-40-.18 | 10 years from the date the record item was created. | Adult patients: 5 years after the date of discharge. Minor patients: 5 years past the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 23). |
| Hawaii | HAW. REV. STAT. § 622-58 | Adult patients: Full medical records: 7 years after last data entry. Basic information: 25 years after the last record entry. Minor patients: Full medical records: 7 years after the patient reaches the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 25). Basic information: 25 years after the minor reaches the age of majority. | Adult patients: Full medical records: 7 years after last data entry. Basic information: 25 years after the last record entry. Minor patients: Full medical records: 7 years after the minor reaches the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 25). Basic information: 25 years after the minor reaches the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 43). |
| Idaho | IDAHO CODE ANN. § 39- 1394 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Clinical laboratory test records and reports: 5 years after the date of the test. |
| Illinois | 210 ILL. COMP. STAT. § 85/6.17 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA | 10 years. |
| Indiana | IND. CODE § 16-39-7-1 | 7 Years. | 7 Years. |
| Iowa | IOWA ADMIN. CODE R. 653-13.7(8) | Adult patients: 7 years from the last date of service. Minor patients: 1 year after the minor attains the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 19). | 6 years as stipulated by basic HIPAA regulations. |
| Kansas | KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 28- 34-9a | 10 years from when professional service was provided. | Adult patients: Full records: 10 years after the last discharge of the patient. Minor patients: Full records: 10 years or 1 year beyond the date that the patient reaches the age of majority. |
| Kentucky | 902 KY. ADMIN. REGS. 20:275 | 6 years or if a minor, |
Adult patients: 5 years from date of discharge. Minor patients: 5 years from date of discharge or 3 years after the patient reaches the age of majority. |
| Louisiana | LA. REV. STAT. ANN.§ 40:1165.1 | 6 years from the date a patient is last treated. | 10 years from the date a patient is discharged. |
| Maine | 22 MRS §1711 | 6 years as stipulated by basic HIPAA regulations. | Adult patients: 7 years. Minor patients: 6 years past the age of majority. Patient logs and written x-ray reports— permanently. |
| Maryland | MD. CODE REGS. §10.01.16.04 | Adult patients: 5 years after the record or report was made. Minor patients: 5 years after the report or record was made or until the patient reaches the age of majority plus 3 years. | Adult patients: 5 years after the record or report was made. Minor patients: 5 years after the report or record was made or until the patient reaches the age of majority plus 3 years. |
| Massachusetts | 243 MASS. CODE REGS. § 2.07 | 7 years from the date of the last patient encounter or until the date that a minor patient reaches 18 years of age, whichever is longer. | 30 years after the discharge or the final treatment of the patient. |
| Michigan | MICH. COMP. LAWS § 333.16213 | 7 years from the from the date of the patient’s discharge or last treatment. | 7 years from the from the date of the patient’s discharge or last treatment. |
| Minnesota | MINN. STAT. § 145.32 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA | Most medical records: Permanently (in microfilm). Miscellaneous documents: Adult patients: 7 years. Minor patients: 7 years following the age of majority. |
| Mississippi | MISS. CODE ANN. § 41-9- 69 | 6 years as stipulated by basic HIPAA regulations. | Adult patients: Discharged in sound mind: 10 years. Discharged at death: 7 years. Minor patients: For the period of minority plus 7 years. |
| Missouri | MO. REV. STAT. § 334.097 | 7 years from the date the last professional service was provided. | Adult patients: 10 years. Minor patients: 10 years or until patient’s 23rd birthday, whichever occurs later. |
| Montana | MONT. CODE ANN. § 50-16-513 and MONT. CODE ANN. § 50-16-513 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Adult patients: Entire medical record—10 years following the date of a patient’s discharge or death. Minor patients: Entire medical record—10 years following the date the patient either attains the age of majority (i.e., until patient is 28) or dies, whichever is earlier. Core medical record must be maintained at least an additional 10 years beyond the periods provided above. |
| Nebraska | 175 NEB. ADMIN CODE §9-006 | 6 years as stipulated by basic HIPAA regulations. | Adult patients: 10 years following a patient’s discharge. Minor patients: (under 19) 10 years or until 3 years after the patient reaches age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 22), whichever is longer. |
| Nevada | NEV. REV. STAT. § 629.051 | 5 years after receipt or production of health care record. | 5 years after receipt or production of health care record. |
| New Hampshire | N.H. CODE ADMIN. R. ANN. He-P 802.20 | 7 years from the date of the patient’s last contact with the physician, unless the patient has requested that the records be transferred to another health care provider, or one year after reaching age 18 in the case of a minor. | Adult patients: 7 years after a patient’s discharge. Minor patients: 7 years or until the minor reaches age 19, whichever is longer. |
| New Jersey | N.J. STAT. ANN. § 26:8-5 | 7 years from the date of the most recent entry. | Adult patients: 10 years following the most recent discharge. Minor patients: 10 years following the most recent discharge or until the patient is 23 years of age, whichever is longer. Discharge summary sheets (all) 20 years after discharge. |
| New Mexico | N.M. CODE R. § 16.10.17.10 | Adult patients: 10 years following the last treatment date of the patient. Minor patients: Must be retained until the patient is 21 years old. | Adult patients: 10 years following the last treatment date of the patient. Minor patients: Must be retained until the patient is 21 years old. |
| New York | N.Y. COMP. CODES R. & REGS. § 405.10 | Six years from the date of discharge or three years after the patient’s age of majority (18 years), whichever is longer, or at least six years after death. | Adult patients: 6 years from the date of discharge. Minor patients: 6 years from the date of discharge or 3 years after the patient reaches 18 years (i.e., until patient turns 21), whichever is longer. Deceased patients At least 6 years after death. |
| North Carolina | 10A N.C. ADMIN. CODE §13B.3903 | Adult patients: 11 years following discharge. Minor patients: Until the patient’s 30th birthday. | Adult patients: 11 years following discharge. Minor patients: Until the patient’s 30th birthday. |
| North Dakota | N.D. ADMIN. CODE § 33-07-01.1-20 | 10 years after the patient’s last visit. | Adult patients: 10 years after the last treatment date. Minor patients: 10 years after the last treatment date or until the patient’s 21st birthday, whichever is later. |
| Ohio | Rule 3701-83-11 | 6 years after discharge | 6 years after discharge |
| Oklahoma | OKLA. ADMIN. CODE §310:667-19-14 | Adult patients: 5 years beyond the date the patient was last seen. Minor patients: 3 years past the age of majority (i.e., until the patient turns 21). Deceased patients 3 years beyond the date of death. | Adult patients: 5 years beyond the date the patient was last seen. Minor patients: 3 years past the age of majority (i.e., until the patient turns 21). Deceased patients 3 years beyond the date of death. |
| Oregon | OAR 333-505-0050 | 10 years after the date of last discharge. | 10 years after the date of last discharge. Master patient index—permanently. |
| Pennsylvania | 28 PA. CODE § 115.23 | Adult patients: At least 7 years following the date of the last medical service. Minor patients: 7 years following the date of the last medical service or 1 year after the patient reaches age 21 (i.e., until patient turns 22), whichever is the longer period. | Adult patients: 7 years following discharge. Minor patients: 7 years after the patient attains majority(5) or as long as adult records would be maintained. |
| Puerto Rico | None | 5 years last discharge. Minors: records must be kept until the patient is 26 years old ( 5 years after the patient reaches the age of majority) | 5 years last discharge. Minors: records must be kept until the patient is 26 years old ( 5 years after the patient reaches the age of majority) |
| Rhode Island | 230-RICR-20-60-4 | 5 years unless otherwise required by law or regulation. | Adult patients: 5 years following discharge of the patient. Minor patients: 5 years after patient reaches the age of 18 years (i.e., until patient turns 23). |
| South Carolina | S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-115-120 | Adult patients: 10 years from the date of last treatment. Minor patients: 13 years from the date of last treatment. | Adult patients: 10 years. Minor patients: Until the minor reaches age 18 and the "e;period of election"e; expires, which is usually 1 year after the minor reaches the age of majority (i.e., usually until patient turns 19). |
| South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 36-4-38 | When records have become inactive or for which the whereabouts of the patient are unknown to the physician. | Adult patients: 10 years from the actual visit date of service or resident care. Minor patients: 10 years from the actual visit date of service or resident care or until the minor reaches age of majority plus 2 years (i.e., until patient turns 20), whichever is later. |
| Tennessee | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.15 | Adult patients: 10 years from the provider’s last professional contact with the patient. Minor patients: 10 years from the provider’s last professional contact with the patient or 1 year after the minor reaches the age of majority (i.e., until patient turns 19), whichever is later. | Adult patients: 10 years following the discharge of the patient or the patient’s death during the patient’s period of treatment within the hospital. Minor patients: 10 years following discharge or for the period of minority plus at least one year (i.e., until patient turns 19), whichever is later. |
| Texas | 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 165.1 | Adult patients: 7 years from the date of the last treatment. Minor patients: 7 years after the date of the last treatment or until the patient reaches age 21, whichever date is later. | Adult patients: 10 years after the patient was last treated in the hospital. Minor patients: 10 years after the patient was last treated in the hospital or until the patient reaches age 20, whichever date is later. |
| Utah | UTAH ADMIN. CODE §432-100-33 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | Adult patients: 7 years. Minor patients: 7 years or until the minor reaches the age of 18 plus 4 years (i.e., patient turns 22), whichever is longer. |
| Vermont | 12-5-14 VT. CODE R. §946 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | 10 years. |
| Virginia | 18 VA. ADMIN. CODE § 85-20-26 & 12 VA. ADMIN. CODE § 5-410-370 | Adult patients: 6 years after the last patient contact. Minor patients: 6 years after the last patient contact or until the patient reaches age 18 (or becomes emancipated), whichever time period is longer. | Adult patients: 5 years following patient’s discharge. Minor patients: 5 years after patient has reached the age of 18 (i.e., until the patient reaches age 23). |
| Washington | WASH. REV. CODE § 70.41.190 | 6 years as stipulated by basic HIPAA regulations. | Adult patients: 10 years following the patient’s most recent hospital discharge. Minor patients: 10 years following the patient’s most recent hospital discharge or 3 years after the patient reaches the age of 18 (i.e., until the patient turns 21) whichever is longer. |
| West Virginia | H. B. 4396 | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. | 6 years as stipulated by HIPAA. |
| Wisconsin | WIS. ADMIN. CODE DHS Med 21.03 | 5 years from the date of the last entry in the record. | 5 years. |
| Wyoming | WYO. STAT. ANN. § 35-2-606 | 10 years from the date of last treatment. | 10 years from the date of last treatment. |
Sources:
*Links to each relevant law are provided in the “Law, code, or regulation” column. As laws change or are repealed in each legislative session, we will attempt to update these to reflect the changes that were made.
Important: The information contained within this page is provided as a reference with the understanding that this page and all authors of content, are not rendering legal information or advice. The information provided about state medical record retention laws is accurate to the date of the most recent update, and are subject to change at any time. For more information on any specific law, please consult your state’s official website.
Best Practices for Medical Records Retention
Below are a few best practices healthcare providers can follow to make it easier to manage medical records securely, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary risk.
Create a Clear Retention Policy
Every healthcare provider should create a retention policy that outlines how long each type of record should be kept, how it will be stored, and how and when it will be destroyed. The policy you create should meet both HIPAA requirements and the applicable state laws referenced above.
Protect Records with Strong Security Measures
Keeping patient records secure is a key part of HIPAA compliance. Whether your records are stored on paper or digitally, security measures should be in place to prevent unauthorized access.
- Access Controls that limit records access to authorized staff using individual login credentials.
- Encryption of electronic health records both at rest and in transit.access or data breaches.
- Physical protections like locked storage, alarm systems, and video surveillance for paper records.
Audit Your Processes Regularly
Set a schedule to review how records are stored, how long they’ve been kept, and whether they’ve been disposed of on time. Routine audits help identify gaps and keep your retention and destruction process on track.
Train Your Team
Your staff should understand both HIPAA requirements and your internal policies for managing medical records. Regular training sessions are one of the easiest ways to reduce errors, avoid violations, and ensure everyone stays informed as policies or regulations change.
Set Up a Secure Destruction Process
Once a record has reached the end of its retention period, it needs to be disposed of securely. Paper records should be cross-cut shredded to prevent recovery. Electronic records should be wiped using software that fully deletes the data, not just removes it from view.
If you’re working with a third-party shredding service, make sure they follow HIPAA requirements and provide a certificate of destruction once the process is complete.
What Should Be Included in a Medical Records Retention Policy
A clear and well-documented retention policy helps ensure consistency, compliance, and accountability across your practice. Here are the main elements every policy should include:
Purpose
Start by outlining the purpose of the policy—typically to meet legal requirements, support patient care, and ensure efficient management of medical records.
Scope
Define which types of records the policy applies to. This should include both paper and electronic formats, along with any other media used to store patient information.
Responsibilities
Assign clear responsibility for managing and enforcing the policy. This may fall to a specific department, compliance officer, or designated records manager.
Retention Periods
List the required retention timeframes for each type of record. These should reflect applicable state laws, HIPAA documentation rules, and any internal considerations.
Storage and Preservation
Explain how records will be stored and protected during their retention period. Include details about physical security, digital access controls, and backup procedures if applicable.
Destruction Procedures
Document how records will be securely destroyed once they’re no longer needed. Whether done in-house or through a third-party vendor, destruction methods should meet HIPAA standards and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
How To Create a Medical Records Retention Policy
Step 1. Take an Inventory
Start by creating a complete list of all records maintained by your practice. Include both physical and digital formats, note where each record type is stored, and identify whether they fall under categories like medical, financial, or employment records.
Step 2. Categorize Records
Organize records into categories based on their purpose, content, or applicable regulations. Grouping records this way allows you to apply consistent rules to each category and simplifies retention planning.
Step 3. Research Legal Requirements
Look into federal, state, and industry-specific rules to find out how long each type of record must be kept. Be sure to check for any special rules related to minors, behavioral health, or specific treatments.
Step 4. Set Internal Retention Periods
Using your research as a foundation, establish retention timelines for each category that meet legal requirements while also aligning with your practice’s internal needs.
Step 5. Document the Schedule
Write out your full retention schedule, including how long each type of record should be kept and how it should be disposed of once that period ends. Make sure it’s easy for staff to reference and follow.
Step 6. Train and Communicate
Educate your team on the retention schedule and why it matters. Provide training to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities and how to carry them out correctly.
Step 7. Monitor and Update
Review your retention practices regularly. Conduct internal audits to confirm the schedule is being followed, and update it when laws, guidelines, or internal processes change.
Secure and Compliant Record Destruction
Once a record has reached the end of its retention period, it must be disposed of properly to protect patient privacy. Follow these best practices to ensure your destruction process is both secure and legally sound:
Create a Destruction Policy
Document your destruction procedures in writing. Your policy should outline how records will be destroyed and who is responsible for managing each step of the process.
Choose a Destruction Method
Use methods that make records unreadable and unrecoverable. Shredding, incineration, and degaussing are all common methods depending on the format of the records.
Maintain a Chain of Custody
Establish a secure process for tracking records from collection through final destruction. This helps ensure accountability and prevents unauthorized access.
Audit the Process Regularly
Conduct routine audits of your destruction procedures to confirm they’re being followed correctly and meet both internal policies and external regulations.
Get a Certificate of Destruction
Whether destruction is handled internally or by a third-party service, always obtain a certificate of destruction. This provides documented proof that records were disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
Update Your Retention Records
Once records have been destroyed, log the disposal and update your retention documentation to reflect the change. Keeping accurate records of what was destroyed is an important part of compliance.
The Role of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Medical Records Retention
The move to Electronic Health Records (EHR) has changed how healthcare providers manage medical records. EHR systems offer major advantages in terms of efficiency, accessibility, and security compared to traditional paper-based systems. They’ve become an important tool for maintaining accurate, organized, and compliant records.
Advantages of EHR in Medical Records Retention
Streamlined Access
EHR systems allow providers to access patient records quickly and easily, which improves care coordination and supports better outcomes.
Enhanced Security
Built-in features like audit trails, access controls, and data encryption help protect sensitive information and support HIPAA compliance.
Automated Retention
EHR systems can be set up to automatically manage retention timelines and securely delete records when the retention period ends, helping reduce the risk of human error.
Selecting an EHR System for Your Practice
When evaluating an EHR platform, keep the following in mind:
HIPAA Compliance
The system should include strong security features and be fully compliant with HIPAA privacy and security requirements.
Compatibility
Look for a system that can share information with other platforms to support smoother collaboration between providers and facilities
Customization
Choose a system that can be adapted to your workflows and documentation needs to ensure it works well for your specific practice.
Migrating to an EHR System: A Seamless Transition for Medical Practices
Moving from paper records to an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system can be a big step, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Start by building a clear migration plan that outlines each step of the process and sets a realistic timeline. Assign a team to oversee the transition, this should include staff from IT, administration, and clinical departments to make sure all perspectives are covered.
Choose an EHR system that fits the specific needs of your practice, as covered in the previous section. Once the system is selected, begin staff training early to help ease the learning curve and avoid disruptions to patient care.
Transferring existing records into the new system is one of the most important steps. This can be done either through manual data entry or with a medical records scanning service. Accuracy is key here, so be sure to set aside time and resources for data validation.
After the migration is complete, consider running both paper and electronic systems in parallel for a while. This gives your team a chance to double-check the records that were digitized and address any issues with them before fully switching over to digital recordkeeping.
With a structured plan and proper support, medical practices can make the move to EHR with ease, improving efficiency and patient care, with the bonus of simplifying medical records retention along the way.
What comes next?
Effective record retention and destruction practices are essential for staying compliant, protecting patient information, and keeping your operations running smoothly. With the right retention policy and a secure process in place for managing records over time, your practice can reduce risk and stay on top of both patient care and regulatory requirements.
If you’re preparing to digitize your paper records or transition to an EHR system, SecureScan can help. With over 22 years of experience working with healthcare providers, our team offers fully HIPAA-compliant medical records scanning services designed to make the process simple and secure from start to finish. We’ll help you organize, scan, and index your records with accuracy, and ensure that everything is handled in accordance with privacy laws and retention standards.
Contact us to learn more about how we can support your recordkeeping goals, or request a free quote to get started.
