For how long must active and inactive patient records be maintained?

Active and inactive patient records must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the last treatment. This requirement ensures that comprehensive information about a patient's medical history, treatment plans, and outcomes is available for reference, continuity of care, and legal purposes. The retention period supports the potential for future treatment needs or disputes that might arise related to the patient's care.

Maintaining records for this duration is also aligned with standards set by professional organizations and state regulations, providing a safeguard for both the patient and the practitioner. Additionally, keeping records for just 3 years would not adequately cover the legal or practical scenarios where clinical history may be needed beyond that shorter timeframe, while 7 or 10 years would be excessive and potentially burdensome for practice management without providing additional benefits over the required 5 years.