I'm not sure of the answer to this, but as an aside, I have taken to scanning to, or printing to *.pdf files all minutes of meetings, odd paperwork and audits etc.  That way I have everything stored  in a very small space, an office uncluttered by filing cabinets, and (even better!) I can even find documents., and the question of 'how long to keep' become almost immaterial.  (Also scan / download all scientific papers, rather than photocopying, and store as *.pdf [on a backed-up drive!] - has the advantage that they are then all available to other staff in the department.  Have even extended this to home, and scan bills, credit card statements etc to save filing them).  The main problem was persuading the Trust IT department a) to let me have an Acrobat licence, and b) that, yes, I did need 20GB of disk storage, and yes, I did understand that this was a VERY LARGE AMOUNT of space, but had to beat up the spotty little boy in IT who tried to tell me that no-one could ever use up a WHOLE gigabyte................
 
Cathryn Corns
Head of Biochemistry
Southend Hospital
01702 435555 ext 4058
-----Original Message-----
From: Tilbrook Louise (RQ8) Mid Essex Hospital [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 11 December 2003 10:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Vertical and horizontal audits

Our department is beginning to plan our audit schedule to carry out regular vertical and horizontal audits as outlined in the new CPA standards. Discussion has arisen regarding the retention of such records and the suggestion has been that audit records should be kept for 6 years - although no-one could say where this figure had come from. The RCPath guidelines as far as I can see mention Accreditation documents (min 10 years), EQA (2 years) and IQC (permanently) but make no mention of audit records. Is anyone aware of CPA's view on this?

Thanks in advance
Louise Tilbrook

Louise Tilbrook
Principal Clinical Scientist
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
Broomfield Hospital
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 7ET

Phone 01245 514013
Fax 01245 514077


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 ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content.

ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/