Retention of Medical Records in Ghanaian Teaching Hospitals: Some International Perspectives

This paper investigates medical records retention and storage practices in selected Ghanaian hospitals. The state- of- the- art in the use and final disposition of non-current patient records is reviewed with a view to recommending remedial measures that could contribute to the improvement of the existing system. The study is limited only to teaching hospitals in Ghana. In this study records retention practices in Ghana are described, problems which come to light discussed and feasible solution modelled on procedures and experience elsewhere put forward. Two data collection instruments, face-to-face interview and observation were considered appropriate for the study. The study revealed that the problems inherent in the retention of management of non-current medical records are due to the absence of formal guidelines and procedures, and to the fact that those that exist are not properly enforced. It is argued that the causes of these deficiencies lie in the lack of accountability and appropriate organisational and managerial structures. A second problem was the paucity of essential financial, material and human resources. Afr. J. Lib. Arch. & Inf. Sc. Vol. 14, No. 1 (2004) 37 – 5