Reader survey: Who gets to keep the medical records?

As editor of Medical Staff Briefing and Medical Staff Leader Connection, I write frequently about the need for collegiality between hospitals and their medical staffs. It’s an ever present issue, and I want to hear from you about your organization’s practice.

The recent war over who gets to keep 3,000 to 4,000 patient records that has erupted between a group of family practice physicians and Boston's Caritas Christi Healthcare is a perfect example of how hospitals can permanently damage relationships with community physicians.

For me, it also raises an important question: Who gets to keep patient records when physicians decide to move to another facility? How does your facility handle similar situations without burning their bridges? Are there laws in your state that clarify this issue? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Please share your thoughts by emailing me at ejones@hcpro.com. Your responses may appear on the Credentialing Resource Center blog.

Best,
Liz Jones
Associate Editor
HCPro, Inc.