Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Our hospital legal folks told us to keep paper for 10 years. Ht Sent from my iPhone > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Our hospital legal folks told us to keep paper for 10 years. Ht Sent from my iPhone > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Our hospital legal folks told us to keep paper for 10 years. Ht Sent from my iPhone > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule PS. This schedule establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for records commonly found in public safety agencies. No local government office may dispose of a record listed in this schedule prior to the expiration of its retention period. A records control schedule of a local government may not set a retention period that is less than that established for the record in this schedule. Original paper records listed in this schedule may be disposed of prior to the expiration of their minimum retention periods if they have been microfilmed or electronically stored pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Chapter 204 or Chapter 205, as applicable, and rules of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission adopted under authority of those chapters. Actual disposal of such records by a local government is subject to the policies and procedures of its records management program. Destruction of local government records contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Records Act of 1989 and administrative rules adopted under it, including this schedule, is a Class A misdemeanor and, under certain circumstances, a third degree felony (Penal Code, Section 37.10). Anyone destroying local government records without legal authorization may also be subject to criminal penalties and fines under the Public Information Act (Government Code, Chapter 552). PS4450-02 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Emergency ambulance run activity reports, advanced life-support report forms, and similar records pertinent to documenting the condition and treatment of sick or injured persons by emergency medical personnel. *PS4450-02a EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment rendered. 6 years, 3 months from date service rendered, or until the patient's 20th birthday, whichever later. *PS4450-02b EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment refused. 2 years. From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf Of shane Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:23 PM To: texasems-l Subject: EMS documentation I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Just my opinion: You can always scan and categorize them on a hard drive(External) and keep them PERMANENTLY. What I have found with the " EPCRs " is that they can be CHANGED by an administrator to suit " insurance requirements " without you even knowing about it---AND THE REPORT WRITER SIGNED IT ELECTRONICALLY ! So, when you are called into court and reveal: " I didn't write that! " ---------- What's your defense?  ---------------------------- hope this helps along with the other info you've received------------------  Subject: EMS documentation To: texasems-l Date: Thursday, December 22, 2011, 8:23 PM  I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 On our ePCR system, only the medic who electronically signed the report can amend it. If we had a documentation error, or left off insurance information, or stretcher criteria, our administrators can send it back to us for revision, but they cannot change it themselves. In fact, we cannot even ASK them to make the changes. We have to do it ourselves. And all changes made after signing the report are tracked, anyway. You know who opened the report for editing, and what changes were made, and when. > > Just my opinion: You can always scan and categorize them on a hard > drive(External) and keep them PERMANENTLY. What I have found with the > " EPCRs " is that they can be CHANGED by an administrator to suit > " insurance requirements " without you even knowing about it---AND THE > REPORT WRITER SIGNED IT ELECTRONICALLY ! So, when you are called into > court and reveal: " I didn't write that! " ---------- What's your defense? > > ---------------------------- hope this helps along with the other info > you've received------------------ > > > > > From: shane firemedice2a@... > > Subject: EMS documentation > To: texasems-l > Date: Thursday, December 22, 2011, 8:23 PM > > > > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service > should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most > agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore > completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR > in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report > and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and > policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†> reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about > this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, > my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them > before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage > device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking > up space? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 I do believe that it is 10years except for minors. Retain for 10 years after they turn 18. If you have a one year old you will end up retaining that record 27 years. Debbie Fishbeck From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf Of Homer T Fillingim Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:57 PM To: texasems-l Subject: Re: EMS documentation Our hospital legal folks told us to keep paper for 10 years. Ht Sent from my iPhone On Dec 22, 2011, at 20:23, " shane " firemedice2a@... > wrote: > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 > > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule PS. This schedule establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for records commonly found in public safety agencies. No local government office may dispose of a record listed in this schedule prior to the expiration of its retention period. A records control schedule of a local government may not set a retention period that is less than that established for the record in this schedule. Original paper records listed in this schedule may be disposed of prior to the expiration of their minimum retention periods if they have been microfilmed or electronically stored pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Chapter 204 or Chapter 205, as applicable, and rules of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission adopted under authority of those chapters. Actual disposal of such records by a local government is subject to the policies and procedures of its records management program. Destruction of local government records contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Records Act of 1989 and administrative rules adopted under it, including this schedule, is a Class A misdemeanor and, under certain circumstances, a third degree felony (Penal Code, Section 37.10). Anyone destroying local government records without legal authorization may also be subject to criminal penalties and fines under the Public Information Act Government Code, Chapter 552). PS4450-02 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Emergency ambulance run activity reports, advanced life-support report forms, and similar records pertinent to documenting the condition and treatment of sick or injured persons by emergency medical personnel. *PS4450-02a EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment rendered. 6 years, 3 months from date service rendered, or until the patient's 20th birthday, whichever later. *PS4450-02b EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment refused. 2 years. From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf Of shane Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:23 PM To: texasems-l Subject: EMS documentation I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these  " paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 > > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule PS. This schedule establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for records commonly found in public safety agencies. No local government office may dispose of a record listed in this schedule prior to the expiration of its retention period. A records control schedule of a local government may not set a retention period that is less than that established for the record in this schedule. Original paper records listed in this schedule may be disposed of prior to the expiration of their minimum retention periods if they have been microfilmed or electronically stored pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Chapter 204 or Chapter 205, as applicable, and rules of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission adopted under authority of those chapters. Actual disposal of such records by a local government is subject to the policies and procedures of its records management program. Destruction of local government records contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Records Act of 1989 and administrative rules adopted under it, including this schedule, is a Class A misdemeanor and, under certain circumstances, a third degree felony (Penal Code, Section 37.10). Anyone destroying local government records without legal authorization may also be subject to criminal penalties and fines under the Public Information Act Government Code, Chapter 552). PS4450-02 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Emergency ambulance run activity reports, advanced life-support report forms, and similar records pertinent to documenting the condition and treatment of sick or injured persons by emergency medical personnel. *PS4450-02a EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment rendered. 6 years, 3 months from date service rendered, or until the patient's 20th birthday, whichever later. *PS4450-02b EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment refused. 2 years. From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf Of shane Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:23 PM To: texasems-l Subject: EMS documentation I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these  " paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 > > I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these “paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: > If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? > If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? > From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule PS. This schedule establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for records commonly found in public safety agencies. No local government office may dispose of a record listed in this schedule prior to the expiration of its retention period. A records control schedule of a local government may not set a retention period that is less than that established for the record in this schedule. Original paper records listed in this schedule may be disposed of prior to the expiration of their minimum retention periods if they have been microfilmed or electronically stored pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Chapter 204 or Chapter 205, as applicable, and rules of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission adopted under authority of those chapters. Actual disposal of such records by a local government is subject to the policies and procedures of its records management program. Destruction of local government records contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Records Act of 1989 and administrative rules adopted under it, including this schedule, is a Class A misdemeanor and, under certain circumstances, a third degree felony (Penal Code, Section 37.10). Anyone destroying local government records without legal authorization may also be subject to criminal penalties and fines under the Public Information Act Government Code, Chapter 552). PS4450-02 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Emergency ambulance run activity reports, advanced life-support report forms, and similar records pertinent to documenting the condition and treatment of sick or injured persons by emergency medical personnel. *PS4450-02a EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment rendered. 6 years, 3 months from date service rendered, or until the patient's 20th birthday, whichever later. *PS4450-02b EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE RUN REPORTS Treatment refused. 2 years. From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf Of shane Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:23 PM To: texasems-l Subject: EMS documentation I have been looking for information regarding how long a service should hold on to their printed copies of service reports. Most agencies appear to have moved forward with complete EPCR therefore completely eliminating the paper report itself. I began using the EPCR in my jurisdiction years ago but was still required to print a report and file it. Again, I cannot find anywhere in TAC or rules and policies that dictate how long a service should keep these  " paper†reports filed. It seems like most agencies I have talked with about this topic typically keep their paper reports filed for 7 years. So, my questions are: If you have printed paper EMS reports, how long should you keep them before destroying them? If those same reports are also backed up via electronic storage device, can you destroy your paper reports you have filed and taking up space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 > Are you suggesting that the individual medic create personal copies of the reports? I would have a HUGE problem with that due to the risks regarding patient privacy and identity theft! Most ePCR programs do not allow 'others' to change the report. The few that I'm familiar with that do write an extensive history on access, who edited the report, what and when the documentation was changed. When you print a copy of the report, the history is also printed with it. jp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 No, Mr. Pitcock. My fault. I should have explained myself more clearly. NOT the individual medic, but, THE COMPANY.  ----------sorry for the miscommunication.. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU !!  Unfortunately, the company I USED to work for--did EXACTLY what I stated-and-ANYONE who questioned it, they found a way to have him/her terminated.  So much for the AT WILL employment of the state!   Subject: Re: EMS documentation To: texasems-l Date: Friday, December 23, 2011, 10:42 PM  > Are you suggesting that the individual medic create personal copies of the reports? I would have a HUGE problem with that due to the risks regarding patient privacy and identity theft! Most ePCR programs do not allow 'others' to change the report. The few that I'm familiar with that do write an extensive history on access, who edited the report, what and when the documentation was changed. When you print a copy of the report, the history is also printed with it. jp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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