DEFINITION

Patient/client records are defined as those records which are created by a university unit in its interaction with persons who are receiving medical, psychological, or social counseling and treatment and with persons seeking educational or vocational counseling.

STATEMENT

Legislation and judicial rulings have defined patient/client records as protected by an individual's right of privacy which in the State of Michigan is considered to end at death. Privacy is protected by federal law, by state laws, by common law. See also Andrews University Working Policy, section #.

Responsibility of the Units Generating Patient/Client Records

It is the responsibility of the units generating patient/client records to create, maintain, provide or limit access to, and dispose of patient/client records in accordance with applicable law, university regulations, and the established retention schedule.

For information concerning the responsibilities and procedures of the Andrews University Archives and Records Center especially in recognition of the sensitive content of some of these records, see section II, 1.2 and II, 1.3.