In theory, the advent of electronic files should make the acquisition and organization of information easier. However, it’s important to take into account that the limitless nature of e-files means that files may contain an excess of information. This is especially true of medical files, almost all of which will be in electronic format by 2015 and will then include everything from texts and emails to audit trails and data in imaging systems as well as metadata. Once filed, this information will be demanded by Federal and State regulatory agencies in investigations and by attorneys and the courts for the purposes of litigation.

This CLE course will discuss the challenge of properly preserving, locating and producing health information filed in electronic charts and will also analyze how a properly managed system can reduce costs, improve care and avoid pitfalls.