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Data Retention Policies

Meaning

Data Retention Policies are formal, documented corporate or clinical guidelines that specify how long particular types of health information, clinical records, and operational data must be kept and how they must be securely disposed of once the retention period expires. These policies are established to meet various legal, regulatory, and clinical requirements, ensuring that records are available for necessary patient care, audits, and legal defense. The policies must balance the need for historical clinical reference with the imperative for data minimization and privacy protection.