South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-108 - STANDARDS FOR LICENSING FREESTANDING OR MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
Sec2 61-108.700 - PATIENT RECORDS
Section 61-108.700.702 - Record Maintenance
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
A. The licensee shall provide accommodations, space, supplies, and equipment adequate for the protection, security, and storage of patient records.
B. When a patient is transferred to an emergency facility, a transfer summary, to include, at a minimum, the diagnosis, care, treatment, procedures, and/or services provided, and medication administration record, shall accompany the patient to the receiving facility at the time of transfer or forwarded immediately after the transfer. Documentation of the information forwarded shall be maintained in the patient record. (I)
C. The patient record is confidential. Records containing protected or confidential health information shall be made available only to individuals granted access to that information, in accordance with state and federal laws. The licensee shall have a written policy designating the persons allowed to access confidential patient information. Written consent by the patient shall be obtained prior to release of information except to persons authorized by law. If the patient is mentally incompetent, written consent is required from the patient's responsible party. (II)
D. Records generated by organizations or individuals with whom the licensee contracts for care, treatment, procedures, and/or services shall be maintained at the equipment location. Appropriate information shall be provided to assure continuity of care.
E. The licensee shall determine the medium in which information is stored. The information shall be readily retrievable and accessible by staff, as needed, and for regulatory compliance inspections.
F. Upon discharge of a patient, the record shall be completed within 60 days and filed in an inactive/closed file maintained by the licensee. Prior to the closing of an equipment location for any reason, the licensee shall arrange for preservation of records to ensure compliance with these regulations and other applicable law. The licensee shall notify the Department's Division of Health Licensing, in writing, describing these arrangements and the location of the records.
G. Records of patients shall be retained for at least six years following the discharge of the patient. Records of minors shall be retained until after the expiration of the period of election following achievement of majority as prescribed by statute. Other documents required by this regulation, e.g., fire drills, shall be retained at least 12 months or until the next Division of Health Licensing inspection.
H. Patient records are the property of the licensee; the original record shall not be removed without court order. (II)