Question

Reasearch: Determine how long medical records must be kept in Connecticut. Remember to include special circumstances such as minors. Research medical record storage options in your state as well. How can someone properly permanently dispose of a medical record? Complete your research and write your findings in a 1-page paper. Make sure to site your sources.

Answer 1

#. A period of seven (7) years from the date of the most recent entry or upon the death of a patient, for three years.

Pathology Slides, EEG and ECG Tracings must each be kept for seven (7) years. If an ECG is taken and the results are unchanged from a previous ECG, then only the most recent results need be retained. Reports on each of these must be kept for the duration of the medical record.

Laboratory Reports and PKU Reports must be kept for at least five (5) years. Only positive (abnormal) laboratory results need be retained.

X-Ray Films must be kept for three (3) years

#. Medical records are stored in manually in cabinets and files , digitally in computers

#. While there is no State law or Board rule addressing this issue, any method to be used for destroying medical records should generally protect confidential information and patient identity. Once notification requirements have been complied with, the physician should consider shredding or burning the documents rather than simply disposing of them in a garbage receptacle.