The bill amends RCW 70.41.190 to establish new requirements for the retention of hospital medical records. Under the new provisions, hospitals are mandated to retain and preserve all medical records for a minimum of 26 years from the date the record was created. This applies to both records created before and after the effective date of the bill, with specific exceptions for records that are no longer retained by the hospital if they complied with previous retention requirements. Additionally, the bill clarifies that all information collected during each unique visit is considered a medical record and outlines that hospitals must make arrangements for the preservation of records if they cease operations.

The legislation also empowers the department to define the types of records and the information that must be included in the retained medical records, allowing for retention in various formats, including photographic form. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that medical records are maintained for a significantly longer period, enhancing patient care continuity and legal compliance.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.41.190
Substitute Bill: 70.41.190
Bill as Passed Legislature: 70.41.190
Session Law: 70.41.190