Section 140. Patient records

A. A practitioner shall comply with the provisions of § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia related to the confidentiality and disclosure of patient records.

B. A practitioner shall provide patient records to another practitioner or to the patient or his personal representative in a timely manner in accordance with provisions of § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia.

C. A practitioner shall properly manage and keep timely, accurate, legible, and complete patient records.

D. A practitioner who is employed by a health care institution or other entity in which the individual practitioner does not own or maintain his own records shall maintain patient records in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing entity.

E. A practitioner who is self-employed or employed by an entity in which the individual practitioner owns and is responsible for patient records shall:

1. Maintain a patient record for a minimum of six years following the last patient encounter with the following exceptions:

a. Records of a minor child, including immunizations, shall be maintained until the child reaches the age of 18 years or becomes emancipated, with a minimum time for record retention of six years from the last patient encounter regardless of the age of the child;

b. Records that have previously been transferred to another practitioner or health care provider or provided to the patient or his personal representative; or

c. Records that are required by contractual obligation or federal law may need to be maintained for a longer period of time.

2. Post information or in some manner inform all patients concerning the time frame for record retention and destruction. Patient records shall only be destroyed in a manner that protects patient confidentiality, such as by incineration or shredding.

3. When closing, selling, or relocating his practice, meet the requirements of § 54.1-2405 of the Code of Virginia for giving notice that copies of records can be sent to any like-regulated provider of the patient's choice or provided to the patient.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 31, Issue 07, eff. December 31, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2957.15 of the Code of Virginia.