how long do they keep our records?

[smog]

im thinking of requesting my medical records of the traumatic birth of dd who was born in oct 1997, in an attempt to heal. will they still have the records or has it been too long? she is 10.5 yrs old. tia

[La Que Sabe]

hey, i am doing the same thing but i haven't heard back from them =[
i'm not sure how long they hold them sorry but just wanted to wish yuu luck.

[Jender]

They may still have them but for some organisations - records are kept until the end of statute of limitations period which varies state to state and area to area. Although, this can also be varied depending on circumstances.

So, the short answer is i don't know - FOI it and see how you go. Good luck. If you make it clear this is not forming part of a legal action, you may have better luck

[girly]

Arent medical records meant to be filed for ever.
When I went for my first hosp visit for my preg they had my records for when I was born, and that was 18years ago.
They were taking notes of how much i weighed and things like that and if my birth was c/s or v/b. I think they would keep them!:confused:

[ManekiNeko]

Nope like Jender said it varies... My mum wanted the medical records on her daughter who had passed of sids for closure becasue she felt guilty. She was told they no longer had the files regarding that as it had been almost 20 years at the time.

On the other note a woman at my work had a child in 2006 and requested files from her traumatic breach delivery in 1994 so that she could get a c-section. They got them for her and she ended up having a the c-section.

[Sarahg]

Hi,
Records about you (the patient) and the labour are generally kept for 7 years. REcords about the baby are kept for up to 7 years after it turns 18 (ie 25).

I worked for too long as a Records Archivist!

Proudly a SAHM now!