Effective Date: 01/01/2024
1. Purpose The Data Retention Policy of Mercy Health Services (MHS) outlines the guidelines for retaining and disposing of personal data to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to safeguard patient information.
2. Scope This policy applies to all records and data collected, stored, and processed by MHS, including electronic, paper, and other formats.
3. Data Retention Periods
- Medical Records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last treatment or as required by state law.
- Financial Records: Retained for 7 years for auditing and tax purposes.
- Employee Records: Retained for the duration of employment plus 7 years.
4. Data Disposal Data that is no longer required will be disposed of securely to prevent unauthorized access. This includes shredding paper records and permanently deleting electronic files.
5. Responsibilities All MHS staff are responsible for complying with this policy and ensuring records are retained and disposed of in accordance with the guidelines.
6. Review and Updates This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Contact Information
Mercy Health Services: info@mercymhcs.com