Section 41-9-69 - Period of retention of hospital records(1)(a) Hospital records shall be retained by hospitals in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form for a minimum period of ten (10) years from the date a patient is discharged.(b) Graphic matter, images, X-ray films and like matter that were necessary to produce a diagnostic or therapeutic report shall be retained, preserved, and properly stored by hospitals in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form for a minimum period of three (3) years from the date a patient is discharged. Such graphic matter, images, X-ray film, and like matter shall be retained for longer periods when requested in writing by the patient or someone acting legally in his behalf. Upon the expiration of the applicable period of retention, any hospital may retire the hospital record.
(2) Hospital records in their original, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced form shall be provided upon request to a parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor under eighteen (18) without the permission of such unemancipated minor.Codes, 1942, § 7146-54; Laws, 1962, ch. 411, § 4; Laws, 1973, ch. 301, § 1; Laws, 1981, ch. 450, § 1; Laws, 1990, ch. 369, § 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 380, § 1, eff. 7/1/1991.Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 533, SB 2873,§ 1, eff. 5/13/2024.