54.1-2403.2 - Record storage. - Virginia Statutes

§ 54.1-2403.2. Record storage.

A. Medical records, as defined in § 42.1-77, may be stored by computerized orother electronic process or microfilm, or other photographic, mechanical, orchemical process; however, the stored record shall identify the location ofany documents or information that could not be so technologically stored. Ifthe technological storage process creates an unalterable record, a healthcare provider licensed, certified, registered or issued a multistatelicensure privilege by a health regulatory board within the Department shallnot be required to maintain paper copies of medical records that have beenstored by computerized or other electronic process, microfilm, or otherphotographic, mechanical, or chemical process. Upon completing suchtechnological storage, paper copies of medical records may be destroyed in amanner that preserves the patient's confidentiality. However, any documentsor information that could not be so technologically stored shall be preserved.

B. Notwithstanding the authority given in this section to store patientrecords in the form of microfilm, prescription dispensing records maintainedin or on behalf of any pharmacy registered or permitted in Virginia shallonly be stored in compliance with §§ 54.1-3410, 54.1-3411 and 54.1-3412.

(1994, c. 390; 1998, c. 470; 2004, c. 49.)