Legal issues Flashcards
How long should patient record be retainined
A minimum of 8 years is general rule for hospital and community services
Patients under 18 - at least till 25th birthday or 26th if record made when 17
Maternity records for at least 25 years or 8 years after death of child if sooner
Mental health- 20 years after care or treatment has ended or eight years after death
What are the legal issues around record keeping (3)
Patient and client records may be called in evidence before a court of law by the Health Service Commissioner or in order to investigate a complaint at a local level
The may be used in evidence by the HCPC professional Conduct Committee which considers complaints about professional misconduct
by registered ODPs
Courts of law approach is that if it is not recorded it has not been done
