How do you destroy health records?

Destruction of Patient Health Information

1. Paper record methods of destruction include burning, shredding, pulping, and pulverizing.
2. Microfilm or microfiche methods of destruction include recycling and pulverizing.
3. Laser discs used in write once-read many document-imaging applications are destroyed by pulverizing.

Do doctors destroy medical records?

As a provider, it’s your job to secure any information that is on HIPAA’s list appropriately and destroy it according to either HIPAA regulations or your state regulations.

When can you delete medical records?

A new California law signed by Governor Davis effective January 1, 2001 requires that all businesses, including HMOs, must dispose of records that are no longer needed by 1) shredding, 2) erasing, or 3) otherwise modifying the personal information in those records to make it unreadable or undecipherable through any …

Is destroying medical records illegal?

Is It Illegal to Alter Medical Records? Altering a medical record is a crime and can also be used against doctors in medical malpractice cases. However, it is not illegal for medical professionals to make honest updates to records, as long as they properly mark what they are doing and do not obscure information.

How can paper medical records be destroyed?

Acceptable methods used today include shredding, incineration pulping and pulverization. In addition to the records maintained for a specific retention period, there are other documents that should be destroyed after their usefulness has ended.

When should medical records be destroyed?

Retain for 10 years after death. Electronic patient records (EPRs) must not be destroyed, or deleted, for the foreseeable future. For the patient’s lifetime and 3 years after the patient’s death.

How do you prove falsification of medical records?

How do I know if my medical records have been falsified?

1. Look for inconsistencies with other records such as medical bills which also contain diagnostic codes.
2. Be vigilant for interruptions in the chronology (dates) of medical care and any deviation from the logical order of events.