For how many years should patient records be retained by veterinarians?

Veterinarians are required to retain patient records for a minimum of five years after the last treatment. This duration is important for several reasons, including ongoing patient care, legal considerations, and continuity of information. Retaining records for this length of time allows veterinarians to reference a patient's medical history, which is essential in cases of recurring issues or when new medical treatments need to be informed by past conditions.

Additionally, having access to patient records for five years aligns with general industry standards and regulations to ensure both client and animal welfare, as well as to protect veterinarians in case of any legal inquiries related to treatment or care decisions. This retention period strikes a balance between maintaining useful data for clinical purposes and the reasonable limitations of storage and management of records.