Since the advent of this CMOD System, we have been receiving questionsfrom our fellow members every now and then concerning topics that mightbe of interest not only to the inquirer himself/herself but also to many of us. So from this issue of HK Pract onwards, we would try to publish some of the most frequently asked questions and their responses in this column for your information from time to time. I hope you will enjoy reading them.

CHAN Hung Chiu
Co-ordinator, CMOD
The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians

Question 1

How long should the patients' records be kept in private clinics?

Answer 1
There is no law stipulating the duration for which patients' records should be kept, medical records should be kept as long as possible. Where storage is limited, microfilming or electronic scanning of medical records may provide a solution.

What is the minimum period for which inactive medical records should be kept by medical practitioners?

Answer 2
In deciding the minimum period for which inactive medical records should be kept, medical practitioners are advised to be aware of the requirements such as those imposed (or recommended) by the Inland Revenue Department and medical insurance companies. They may take into account the practice adopted by the Hospital Authority and the advice given by the Hong Kong Medical Association:

• The Hospital Authority keeps medical records for at least 6 years from the time of the last patients' contact.
  
• The Hong Kong Medical Association recommends medical practitioners to keep medical records for at least 6 years after the last professional contact in case of adult patients and to keep paediatric records up to the 25th birthday of minors.