N.J. Admin. Code § 13:42-8.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:42-8.1 - Preparation and maintenance of client records

(a) A licensee shall prepare and maintain separately for each client a permanent client record which accurately reflects the client contact with the licensee whether in an office, hospital or other treatment, evaluation or consultation setting.

(b) A licensee shall make entries in the client record contemporaneously with the services provided. A licensee may dictate an entry for later transcription, provided the transcription is dated and identified as "preliminary" until the licensee reviews the transcription and finalizes the entry in the client record.

(c) The licensee shall include in the client record material pertinent to the nature and extent of the professional interaction, for example:

1. The location of treatment, evaluation or consultation;

2. The client name, address and telephone number;

3. The client complaint on intake;

4. Medical history recognized as of potential significance;

5. Past and current medications;

6. Significant social history;

7. Findings on appropriate examination;

8. Raw data and interpretation of tests administered;

9. Current functional impairments and rating levels thereof;

10. A diagnostic impression;

11. Contemporaneous and dated progress or session notes including specific components of treatment, evaluation or consultation;

12. Dates of all treatment, evaluation or consultation sessions;

13. An evaluation of progress (if applicable);

14. A prognosis;

15. The client identity on each page;

16. Fees charged and paid;

17. The identity of each provider of treatment, evaluation or consultation (and supervisor, if any); and

18. If services are rendered by a permit holder, the written disclosure form signed by the client as required by N.J.A.C. 13:42-4.4(f).

(d) The client record shall contain information regarding referrals to other professionals together with reports and records provided by other professionals and integrated into the client's treatment, evaluation or consultation report.

(e) A licensee may make corrections or additions to an existing record provided that each change is clearly identified as such, dated and initialed by the licensee. Any other alteration of records shall be deemed professional misconduct.

(f) When records are to be maintained as confidential, the licensee shall establish and maintain a procedure to protect such records from access by unauthorized persons.

(g) The licensee shall retain the permanent client record for at least seven years from the date of last entry, unless otherwise provided by law. Records for minors shall be kept for seven years from the date of the last entry or until the client turns 25 years old, whichever is longer, unless otherwise provided by law.

(h) The licensee shall establish procedures for maintaining the confidentiality of client records in the event of the licensee's relocation, retirement, death, or separation from a group practice, and shall establish reasonable procedures to assure the preservation of client records which shall include at a minimum:

1. Establishment of a procedure by which patients can obtain treatment records or acquiesce in the transfer of those records to another licensee or health care professional who is assuming the responsibilities of that practice;

2. Publication of a notice of the cessation and the established procedure for the retrieval of records in a newspaper of general circulation in the geographic location of the licensee's practice, at least once each month for the first three months after the cessation; and

3. Making reasonable efforts to directly notify any patient treated during the six months preceding the cessation, providing information concerning the established procedure for retrieval of records.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:42-8.1

Amended by R.2000 d.476, effective 12/4/2000.
See: 31 N.J.R. 3218(a), 32 N.J.R. 4260(a).
Rewrote (h).
Amended by R.2004 d.140, effective 4/5/2004.
See: 35 N.J.R. 5039(a), 36 N.J.R. 1815(a).
In (c)18, amended N.J.A.C. reference.

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 1852(a), effective 11/1/2021