How long keep medical records GDPR?
There are various legal and medical requirements about retention periods for patient data. Standard NHS data retention policy is to keep GP records for at least ten years after death. The expert view is that the NHS requirements take precedence over the GDPR right to erasure.
How long should medical data be kept?
Records are important because they allow links to be made between exposure and any health effects. Health records, or a copy, should be kept in a suitable form for at least 40 years from the date of last entry because often there is a long period between exposure and onset of ill health.
Where should medical records be stored?
Hardcopy records should be stored in a locked filing cabinet or in a secured dedicated room at the practice, or by a secure storage provider. You must take all reasonable steps to protect the security of your medical records.
How long are medical records kept for in the UK?
8 years
Minimum lengths of retention of hospital records
| Type of record | Nation | Retention period |
|---|---|---|
| All other hospital records (other than non-specified secondary care records) | England, Wales, and Northern Ireland | 8 years after the conclusion of treatment or death. |
| Scotland | 6 years after last entry, or 3 years after the patient’s death. |
How long can data be kept under the Data Protection Act?
You can keep personal data indefinitely if you are holding it only for: archiving purposes in the public interest; scientific or historical research purposes; or. statistical purposes.
How do you store medical records?
Storage
- We recommend that medical records and PHI stored in hallways that are accessible by unauthorized individuals should be in locked cabinets.
- No open shelves in a patient or research subject area.
- No open shelves in a hallway that allows access to individuals not authorized to access those medical records and PHI.
How are medical records destroyed?
Paper record methods of destruction include burning, shredding, pulping, and pulverizing. Microfilm or microfiche methods of destruction include recycling and pulverizing. Laser discs used in write once-read many document-imaging applications are destroyed by pulverizing.
What is the proper way to store medical records?
How are medical records disposed of?
Paper records containing personal health information should be disposed of by shredding or pulping, in accordance with the provisions of the State Records Act .
What happens to medical records after 10 years?
Clinical records may be transferred to the National Archives rather than be destroyed, if they are of archival value. If records are to be destroyed, paper records should be shredded or incinerated.
How medical records are stored?
Medical Records and PHI should be stored out of sight of unauthorized individuals, and should be locked in a cabinet, room or building when not supervised or in use. Provide physical access control for offices/labs/classrooms through the following: Locked file cabinets, desks, closets or offices.
How long can personal data be stored?
Your employers’ liability and professional indemnity insurers may issue instructions on how long to keep the type of records relating to potential claims (e.g. linked to accidents at work). PAYE and NI data – including tax code notices: three years from the end of the tax year to which they relate.
Is the confidentiality of medical records a legal requirement?
Confidentiality is a legal principle and the following should be noted: There are requirements under the Data Protection Act 1998 to keep personal data, including medical records, secure It is a condition of registration to abide by GMC guidance, which includes a requirement to respect patient confidentiality
Why is it important to protect patient data?
Transparency is an important element of data protection. You must make sure your patients know how their data is used and for what purposes it is shared. There should be ‘no surprises’ for a patient in terms of how their data is used. The ‘transparency’ requirements are set out in full in Articles 12, 13 and 14 of the GDPR.
What are the requirements for data protection legislation?
Data protection legislation requires that the collection and processing of personal data is fair, lawful and transparent. This means there must always be a valid lawful basis for the collection and processing of data as defined under data protection legislation, and the requirements of the CLDC must also be met.
What happens if essential information is missing from medical records?
If essential information is missing, found to be inaccurate or indecipherable, cases may be lost when they could otherwise have been won. Clinical records include a wide variety of documents generated on, or on behalf of, all the health professionals involved in patient care. This includes: