# Alaska Stat. § 18.20.085: Hospital records retention

> Alaska · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.085

## Section

- **Citation:** Alaska Stat. § 18.20.085
- **Heading:** Hospital records retention
- **Jurisdiction:** Alaska
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AK Code / Title 18 / Chapter 18.20 / Section 18.20.085

## Text

(a) Unless specified otherwise by the department a hospital shall retain and preserve records that relate directly to the care and treatment of a patient for a period of seven years following the discharge of the patient. However, the records of a patient under 19 years of age shall be kept until at least two years after the patient has reached the age of 19 years or until seven years following the discharge of the patient, whichever is longer. Records consisting of X-ray film are required to be retained for five years.

(b) The department shall by regulation define the types of records and the information required to be included in the records retained and preserved under (a) of this section. The department may by regulation specify records and information to be retained for longer periods than those set out in (a) of this section.

(c) If a hospital ceases operation, it shall make immediate arrangements, as approved by the department, for the preservation of its records.

(d) This section is subject to AS 18.23.100 .

(e) In this section, “hospital” includes those facilities defined as hospitals under AS 18.20.130 and 18.20.210.

## Nearby sections

- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.075 Risk management.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.075.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.080 Inspection and consultation for alterations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.080.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.085 Hospital records retention.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.085.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.095 Mental health patient's right to select staff; duties of hospital staff.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.095.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.130 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.130.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.140 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.140.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.141 Department functions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.141.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.150 Duties of department.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.150.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.160 Priority of projects.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.160.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.170 Application for construction projects.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.170.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.180 Approval of applications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.180.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.190 Inspection of projects.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.190.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.200 Acceptance of grants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.200.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 18.20.210 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.210.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T18_C18.20_S18.20.085. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.