AN EXPOSITION OF THE LEGAL ISSUES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH RECORDS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Like personnel, equipment and facilities, records constitute a crucial factor in healthcare delivery. Timely availability of records and the proper capturing of data relating to patients depend on the efficiency of the records management system of a health institution. Besides, pertinent legal issues arise in the management of health records which health records managers must be abreast of so as not to run foul of the law and/or involve their healthcare institutions in legal liability. This paper, therefore, focuses on legal issues associated with various aspects of health records management like access, patient’s confidentiality and records retention with a view to bringing them to the attention of those involved in health records management in healthcare institutions in Nigeria. It examines the general principles of law governing health records management and also makes reference to the provisions of relevant laws in Nigeria and elsewhere. It concludes that the law relating to some of these aspects is still evolving in Nigeria as specific legislations on them are absent compared to what obtains in some developed countries. Finally, it calls on stakeholders in the field of health records management to forge a common front to help develop the law in the field as a basis for providing guidelines for healthcare institutions in the management of their health records.