For how long must a healthcare facility keep a patient's or resident's medical records after discharge or death?

A healthcare facility is required to keep a patient's or resident's medical records for at least six years after discharge or death to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and medical standards. This duration allows for adequate time to address potential medical-legal issues, audits, or other inquiries that may arise regarding the patient's care. Retention of medical records for this period aligns with best practices in health information management, providing protection to both the facility and the patients.

By maintaining these records for six years, facilities ensure they have the necessary documentation to support continuity of care, review treatment outcomes, and meet any retrospective claims or investigations that may occur. This requirement helps to balance the need for privacy with the obligations of accountability and transparency in the healthcare environment.

Options suggesting a duration shorter than six years may not provide sufficient time for addressing potential legal matters or audits. Conversely, options indicating a longer retention period, while offering some advantages in historical data collection or research, may impose unnecessary burdens on facilities regarding storage and management. Thus, six years is a balanced and legally sound time frame for retaining patient records.