Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.20175 - Regulations and guidelines regarding patient records; regulations and guidelines regarding disciplinary actions against health professionals

The hospital must require that complete and accurate medical records be kept on all patients.  The record must be kept for at 7 years from the last visit.  A health care facility may destroy records older than 7 years if it sends both written notice to the patient and gives the patient the opportunity to request a copy of the record.  The facility must also receive written authorization from the patient to destroy the record.  If a health facility closes, it must notify the department and inform how a patient may access his or her records.  The hospital must take precautions that patient records are not wrongfully altered or destroyed.  If a hospital does not comply with this rule, it can be subject to a fine of $10,000.  Facility employees must respect the confidentiality of patient records and must refrain from disclosing their contents.