Medical Record Storage Time: Find out the minimum required by law and how to store them
Have you ever wondered if there is an ideal time to keep a patient’s medical records? Well, there is! The time for keeping medical records is established by law. And let us tell you right away: it is a minimum of 20 years.
However, this is not the only information you need to know as a healthcare professional on this subject. The storage of medical records is a practice that involves not only the secure archiving of clinical information. It also involves compliance with a series of legal and regulatory requirements.
In any healthcare institution, ensuring that patient records are stored for the minimum period determined by law is essential. This ensures continuity of medical care and legal protection for both the healthcare professional and the patient.
In this article, we will discuss in depth the retention period for medical records in Brazil, how to dispose of them after the minimum period, and much more. All of this takes into account current legislation, the differences between physical and digital records, and how failure to comply with these rules can impact medical practice. Enjoy your reading!
- The Importance of Keeping a Patient’s Medical Record
- What does Brazilian law say?
- Rules for paper, digitized and electronic medical records
- Consequences of failure to comply with the Medical Record retention period
- Good practices for storing and protecting medical data
- When and how to discard medical records after the retention period
- The role of medical management software in controlling medical records
The Importance of Keeping a Patient’s Medical Record
A medical record is a medical document that contains detailed records of a patient’s health and treatment over time.
These documents are essential for medical history china phone number data facilitating continuity of health care, comparing data over the years and identifying patterns that may be vital for future treatment.
However, beyond the clinical benefit, medical records play a critical role in legal proceedings.
For example, in situations of litigation or formal complaints against the healthcare professional or the institution, the medical record is often used as evidence to prove the correct execution of medical procedures, diagnoses and treatments.
According to the legislation, despite the term “medical record”, this document is the property of the patient, who has full right of access and can request a copy. The doctor and the health facility are responsible for its preparation and storage.
Therefore, keeping these documents is more than a good management practice: it is an ethical and legal obligation that helps protect both the patient and the doctor.
|Read also: Who can access the Patient’s Medical Records .
Medical Record Retention Period: What Brazilian Legislation Says
Law 13,787/18 reinforces that the storage of digital medical records must guarantee the integrity, authenticity and confidentiality of the data , aspects that are also protected by the General Data Protection Law (LGPD).
Additionally, specific situations, such as litigation or pediatric patient conditions, may require documents to be kept for a longer period .
Therefore, it is essential that doctors and clinic and hospital managers are aware of the legal requirements to avoid sanctions and ensure the security of medical information.
Physical and digital medical records: understand the difference and how to store each of them
This includes humidity control medical record storage time: find out the minimum required by law and how to store them temperature control and protective measures against physical damage such as fire and flooding.
|Learn more: How to manage medical documents efficiently .
Digitization of medical records
Furthermore, the digitization of physical medical records is permitted by CFM Resolution No. 1821/2007 .
Digitizing a paper record can reduce storage costs and improve control over retention time, facilitating secure and efficient access to this information.
Digitization, therefore, guarantees the registration, but not the legal validity of the document.
Electronic Medical Record
On the other hand, electronic medical deb directory records present clear advantages in terms of ease of access and security, as long as they follow the guidelines of Law 13,787/18.
Computerized systems, such as medical management software, must ensure data preservation through regular backups, encryption and user authentication.
According to the CFM and the Brazilian Society of Health Informatics (SBIS), “for a paperless, fully digital medical record, the use of digital certification to sign medical records is mandatory”.
