Home > Risk Management & Patient Safety > Frequently Asked Questions Risk Management FAQs Record Retention How long should I retain my patients medical records?
Georgia Florida North Carolina Alabama South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Arkansas How long should I retain my patients’ medical records in Georgia? Printer friendly Just how long medical records should be kept depends upon the type of record, its potential use and specific legal requirements. Georgia -By GA statute, the general rule is that medical office records (including any notes, lab reports and biopsy slides) must be maintained for at least 10 years from the date the item was created, usually the date of the last visit or treatment. This rule also applies to the medical office records of minors. Certain limited exceptions may apply to the 10-year rule. Records should be kept indefinitely in riskier situations, including where there is an undesirable outcome, when a patient is unhappy with a result or any time a patient threatens or files a lawsuit. For a detailed discussion, please refer to the Georgia Risk Management Handbook, also located on this website. How long should I reta
