Virginia Law

A. A separate written or electronic case record shall be maintained for each resident. In addition, all correspondence and documents received by the facility relating to the care of that resident shall be maintained as part of the case record. A separate health record may be kept on each resident.

B. Each case record and health record shall be kept up to date and in a uniform manner.

C. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for management of all records, written and electronic, that shall describe confidentiality, accessibility, security, and retention of records pertaining to residents, including:

1. Access, duplication, dissemination, and acquiring of information only to persons legally authorized according to federal and state laws;

2. Facilities using electronic records shall address procedures that include:

a. How records are protected from unauthorized access;

b. How records are protected from unauthorized Internet access;

c. How records are protected from loss;

d. How records are protected from unauthorized alteration; and

e. How records are backed up;

3. Security measures to protect records from loss, unauthorized alteration, inadvertent or unauthorized access, disclosure of information and transportation of records between service sites;

4. Designation of person responsible for records management; and

5. Disposition of records in the event the facility ceases to operate.

D. The policy shall specify what information is available to the resident.

E. Active and closed records shall be kept in areas that are accessible to authorized staff and protected from unauthorized access, fire, and flood.

1. When not in use written records shall be stored in a metal file cabinet or other metal compartment.

2. Facility staff shall assure the confidentiality of the residents' records by placing them in a locked cabinet or drawer or in a locked room when the staff member is not present.

F. Each resident's written case and health records shall be stored separately subsequent to the resident's discharge according to applicable statutes and regulations.

G. Written and electronic records shall be retained in their entirety for a minimum of three years after the date of discharge unless otherwise specified by state or federal requirements.

H. The face sheet shall be retained permanently unless otherwise specified by state or federal requirements.