Doctors in the state will have to keep records of every patient for three years, according to the new Code of Medical Ethics, published a week ago by the West Bengal Medical Council.

With cases of medical negligence increasing, this practice ewill help the doctors to safeguard their interests, feel council members and doctors.

Among the many amendments in the code, this one was perhaps the most important, claimed city doctors. The government claims it is going to be strict with the implementation and any court of law can ask the doctor to produce the records of the past three years

For the government, it will ease out the pressure a bit. "We have been saving all the bed tickets and information on the patient for the past 20 years. Now, we can discard the ones beyond 17 years," remarked director of medical education Chittaranjan Maiti.

The code indicates that it aims at the fast disposal of medico-legal cases. "If any request is made for medical records either by the patients /authorised attendant / West Bengal Medical Council or legal authorities involved, the same may be duly acknowledged and documents shall be issued within 72 hours," it states.

The council has also prepared the format for keeping the records. It includes clinical notes, provincial diagnosis, investigations advised, diagnosis after investigation, advice, follow-up and observations.

Also, it directs the physicians to keep a copy of every certificate issued by him or her within three years in the standard proforma.

Medical organisations claimed that this would help the doctors. "Now, most of the cases of medical negligence are judged on the basis of documents produced by the patients. As the doctors do not keep records, often the case goes against the doctor and there is a scope of fabrication of facts or forging documents. At least, the doctor should have his defence," said Indian Medical Association joint secretary(headquarters) R.D. Dubey.

The code also makes it mandatory for doctors to display his registration number along with the certificate in the practicing area and quote the number in every prescription, certificate and money receipt.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/docs-told-to-keep-patient-records-for-3-yrs/articleshow/320000.cms