Which of the following should be considered first when establishing health record retention policies?

When establishing health record retention policies, state retention requirements should be considered first because they are legally binding and dictate the minimum time frames for which health records must be maintained. Each state has specific laws that determine how long medical records must be kept, which directly impacts how healthcare organizations manage their records to ensure compliance.

Meeting state requirements is critical because failure to adhere to these laws can lead to legal repercussions, including fines and penalties. Once the state requirements are established and understood, other factors such as accreditation standards, AHIMA's guidelines, and federal requirements can then be integrated into the policy to ensure a comprehensive approach to health record retention, but the foundation must start with what the law mandates at the state level.