Under the Health Care Clinic framework, the Medical Director carries records-owner responsibilities — accountability for the integrity, retention, and proper handling of the clinic’s medical records. It does not mean the physician personally stores every chart; it means the director is responsible for the records structure and for what happens to records during transitions.
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What does being the clinic’s “records owner” mean?
The role carries responsibility for how the clinic’s medical records are maintained, secured, retained, and released — a governance responsibility, not a requirement to physically warehouse the files.
Who oversees record requests and access?
The clinic must be able to respond to legitimate record requests properly; the Medical Director oversees that the process and documentation meet the standard.
What happens to records on a director change or clinic closure?
Because records responsibility attaches to the director role, a change of Medical Director or a clinic closure must address records transition, retention, and continued access — which is why this belongs in the agreement in advance.
What should the agreement say about records ownership?
The Medical Director agreement should define records ownership, access, retention, and what happens to records on transition or closure, so there is no ambiguity later.