How Long Are Medical Records Kept After The Patient Is Deceased?

Patient records only have to be kept for 7 years after their last visit in the office per federal guidelines, if the patient was under 18 at the time of service then the records are kept until they are 21 or 7 years after last date of service whichever is longer.

It depends on the hospitals's policies. But normally they keep the patients records for good. If they have adopted the online data base then you can see the records any time.

I lost a baby in 1991. The hospital is closed and the doctor is retired. How can I get those medical records or any photos.

My great grandfather died at agnew mental hospital in 1949 but not from mental illness. How can I find out why he died? Mary

You can also get a death certificate that should have the cause of death listed, contact the office of vital certificates in the state in which he died his name date of birth or date of death if you know these things or as much as they ask for they should pull it up on fiche, you will be charged a fee if you want a copy but good luck to you.....