Reinhart Releases Updated Health Care Records Retention Guidelines

MILWAUKEE – Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. (Reinhart) has released the 2013 version of its "Guidelines for Records Retention for Health Care Providers."

Reinhart first developed the "Guidelines for Records Retention for Health Care Providers" (Guidelines) in 2011. The Guidelines provide a comprehensive resource setting forth the records retention requirements with which health care and assisted living providers and facilities are expected to comply. The Guidelines, available in print and electronic versions, serve as a resource to assist health care professionals in both developing a practical and robust records retention policy, and in addressing records retention questions.

"You are not alone if you are burdened by the need to create and manage records," states Robert J. Heath, Reinhart Health Care attorney and shareholder. "Health care providers and facilities are confronted with an added layer of complexity when navigating the intricacies of records retention requirements within their highly regulated environment. In addition to managing ordinary business records, health care providers and facilities must also create and retain medical records for each patient/resident they treat."

Updates in the 2013 Guidelines release include:

• The required retention period for each type of record and, where applicable, Reinhart's recommended retention period based on potential civil or criminal liability to which those records may relate.
• Updates to reflect all new or revised legal requirements, including new sections on: patient records for home health agencies, personnel records for home health agencies, personnel records for hospitals, personnel records for hospices, records of prescribed controlled substances for physicians, and laboratory and pathology records.
• Reorganization and general stylistic changes to improve readability and provide greater ease of use.

Reinhart's 2013 "Guidelines for Records Retention for Health Care Providers" includes a hard copy of the manual and a searchable PDF on a CD-ROM. The Guidelines can be purchased through the firm for $250. Additional copies are available for $80 each. To order, please complete the order form available on Reinhart's website or contact Catherine Geske at 414-298-8414 or cgeske@reinhartlaw.com.