Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Quality Improvement
Patient Safety
(continued)
Medical Record
Keeping Practices
Resources
Resources are available to you for information and to assist in the
continuation of safe practices.
The following websites have patient safety programs and materials
that you may find useful:
Website Website Address
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (Dept of HHS)
www.ahrq.gov
Institute for Healthcare Improvement www.ihi.org
The Joint Commission International
Center for Patient Safety
www.jcipatientsafety.org
Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety www.leapfroggroup.org
Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety www.maps.org
National Quality Forum www.qualityforum.org
Rationale:
Blue Cross requires its providers to have a policy and procedure
for confidentiality of health information and medical records that
meet state and federal requirements.
Blue Cross expects strict adherence to state and federal laws with
regards to maintaining members’ medical information and records
in a confidential manner. Blue Cross requires medical records to
be maintained in a manner that is current, detailed and organized.
Providers must have a tracking process in place for ease of
retrieval.
Requirements:
• A written policy and procedure of medical record keeping
practices, which includes the confidentiality and security of
medical records, and release of information, is available.
• Medical records are kept in a secure or electronically secure
location.
• Review of the confidentiality policy and procedure is
performed at least annually with staff.
• A tracking system for medical records is in place.
• The medical record forms are available for release.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (08/11/11) 3-13