Health Article: Effective and Compliant Records Management Policies for Health Care Providers and Suppliers
11/25/2004
Records management has taken on added significance for companies nationwide since the Enron/Arthur Andersen scandal and the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002. In light of these recent developments, all corporations should examine their records management policies and practices to evaluate compliance with federal, state , and industry standards. This process is especially important for health care providers and suppliers in light of the hostile litigation and enforcement environment in which they must operate.
This article, co-authored by Mintz Levin attorneys Karen S. Lovitch and Heather L. Westphal, gives health care providers an overview of the urrent legal and practical issues they should consider when reviewing their current records management policies and practices. It discusses the basic elements of a records management policy, the advantages of effective and compliant policies, and the particular legal and other requirements for retaining various types of records. It concludes with recommendations for effective implementation.
