12 AAC 68.910. Medical records

(a) A licensed veterinarian or veterinary medical facility shall maintain an individual record on every client or patient consultation.

(b) Original patient medical records must be retained by the veterinary medical facility or licensed veterinarian who prepared them, including all electrocardiogram tracings, radiographs, and results of laboratory tests. It is the responsibility of the veterinary medical facility or licensed veterinarian to safeguard patient and client information against loss, tampering, or use by unauthorized persons.

(c) Copies of a licensee's record or a summary report of the record, and copies of all data and papers pertaining to a particular patient must be furnished to the patient's owner, designated veterinarian, or duly authorized representative within 30 days after a written request by the owner or duly authorized representative, or within a shorter time if necessary for the care of the patient. A reasonable fee to cover the cost of preparing or obtaining the copies may be charged.

(d) Patient medical records may not be released to a third party without the written consent of the patient's owner, except that

(1) information on spaying, neutering, or rabies vaccination may be released to public health and animal control agencies without written consent; and

(2) copies of records or case summaries may be sent to other veterinarians, veterinary medical facilities, or public health agencies requiring the information for therapeutic, statistical, or other medical purposes without written consent.

(e) Unless released to the patient's owner, patient medical records must be retained by the veterinary medical facility or licensed veterinarian for a minimum of five years. Records may be disposed of by tearing, shredding, or burning so that the records are totally destroyed.

History: Eff. 2/10/85, Register 93; am 5/9/98, Register 146

Authority: AS 08.98.050

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