Section 1260. Medical records

A. Medical records. An accurate and complete clinical record or chart shall be maintained on each patient. The record or chart shall contain sufficient information to satisfy the diagnosis or need for the medical or surgical service. It shall include, when applicable, but not be limited to the following:

1. Patient identification;

2. Admitting information, including patient history and physical examination;

3. Signed consent;

4. Confirmation of pregnancy, if applicable;

5. Physician orders;

6. Laboratory tests, pathologist's report of tissue, and radiologist's report of x-rays;

7. Anesthesia record;

8. Operative record;

9. Surgical medication and medical treatments;

10. Recovery room notes;

11. Physician and nurses' progress notes,

12. Condition at time of discharge,

13. Patient instructions, preoperative and postoperative;

14. Names of referral physicians or agencies.

B. Provisions shall be made for the safe storage of medical records or accurate and legible reproductions thereof according to § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA (42 USC § 1320d et seq.).

C. All medical records, either original or accurate reproductions, shall be preserved for a minimum of five years following discharge of the patient.

1. Records of minors shall be kept for at least five years after such minor has reached the age of 18 years.

2. Birth and death information shall be retained for 10 years in accordance with § 32.1-274 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Record of abortions and proper information for the issuance of a fetal death certificate shall be furnished the Division of Vital Records, Virginia Department of Health, within 10 days after the abortion.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR355-33-500 § 4.12, eff. July 28, 1993; amended, Volume 11, Issue 08, eff. April 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 08, eff. January 25, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.