Other data that might be retained include records of any serious illness, hospitalizations, drug reactions, allergies, and receipt of blood products. Most of these events involve an institution, but there are events such as chemotherapy that also routinely occur in the office setting. Finally, with changes in the health care system, retention and access to medical records may be complicated by frequent changes in physicians or by changes in the physician's practice such as consolidation or sale. Principles to cover these concerns about retention of medical records have not yet been developed. The following statements, recommended by the Council on Scientific Affairs, were adopted as AMA Policy at the 1998 AMA Interim Meeting.
Medical considerations are the primary basis for deciding how long to retain medical records.
For example, operative notes, chemotherapy records, and records documenting permanent structural alteration to the patients should always be part of the patient's chart. The AMA will work with other appropriate organizations to further study and develop principles and criteria for the retention of medical records. The AMA will monitor progress in information technology leading to development of a practical and secure personal electronic medical record. Practice Guidelines for Managing Health Information. American Health Information Management Association.