Establishing standards for health care archives: a case study of the Calgary Regional Health Authority.

Abstract

Due to recent restructuring of Alberta's health care system, many historically valuable records are at risk. However, Freedom and Information and Protection of Privacy legislation has created awareness of the need to care for both administrative and medical records of health care institutions, and standards for the maintenance of these records are evolving. The Calgary Regional Health Authority has established archives, records management, and access and privacy programs, and now has the opportunity to establish a serious medical research repository. The CRHA's experience proves the feasibility of preserving historical health care records for both medical and historical use.