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Laboratory

Public Health

Laboratory
Title Major Revision Previous Schedules Schedule Item
Master summary record,

including accession sheet or register

 2020 (♦)
 CO2 481; MU1 445; MI1 388 757

a: Register of laboratory tests performed:
RETENTION: 10 years
NOTES: Appraise these records for archival value. These records may contain detailed information on the subject, nature and results of laboratory tests and may have long-term or permanent scientific or historical research value. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.

b: Record of collection of specimens:
RETENTION: 10 years
Laboratory test data file,

providing summary and/or detailed information on laboratory tests performed

 CO2 885; MU1 757; MI1 759 758

a: For clinical laboratory tests:
RETENTION: Maintain as long as related laboratory tests results

b: For forensic or toxicology tests:
RETENTION: 6 years

c: For environmental health tests:
RETENTION: Maintain as long as related laboratory tests results
NOTES: Laboratories should consider permanent or long-term retention of the basic data elements of these systems for both administrative convenience and for potential research purposes. This data may provide for ease of access to other electronic and paper-based files (such as accession records and laboratory test results) and may create a record which replaces or supplements the master summary record (see item no. 757). Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
Request for laboratory test:


RETENTION: Retain as long as the related test results

 2020 (♦)
 CO2 482; MU1 446; MI1 389 759
Referral information for cytogenetic cases:


RETENTION: 6 years

 CO2 886; MU1 758; MI1 760 760
Laboratory worksheet, workslip, history slip, or similar record


2020 (♦)
 CO2 483; MU1 447; MI1 390 761

a: For environmental health, or toxicology or forensic test:
RETENTION: Retain as long as related test results

b: For clinical laboratory tests, worksheets:
RETENTION: 2 years

c: For clinical laboratory tests, history slips:
RETENTION: 7 years
Preventive maintenance, service, or repair record

for laboratory equipment or instrument:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the equipment or instrument remains in use, but no less than 2 years, and also as long as test results using this equipment are retained
NOTES: If equipment is used to produce laboratory tests which have differing minimum legal retention periods, then these preventive maintenance records must be retained as long as the longest period of time these laboratory test results need to be retained.

 2020 (♦)
 CO2 484; MU1 448; MI1 391 762
Quality control records

covering laboratory equipment and procedures:
RETENTION: Retain as long as test results using this equipment are retained
NOTES: If equipment is used to produce laboratory tests which have differing minimum legal retention periods, then these quality control records must be retained as long as the longest period of time these laboratory test results need to be retained.

 2020 (♦)
 CO2 485; MU1 449; MI1 392 763
Laboratory protocol

detailing procedures for conducting tests, disposing of specimens, samples and supplies, or other activity, including superseded or obsolete procedures:
RETENTION: PERMANENT

 CO2 486; MU1 450; MI1 393 764
Laboratory reports, studies or data queries,

including those generated from automated data system

 CO2 487; MU1 451; MI1 394 765

a: Forensic and other related investigation reports:
RETENTION: 6 years

b: All other reports, studies or queries:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTES: Appraise these records for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing specific types of tests, test results and the population being tested may be valuable for long-term planning and for medical, historical and other research. Because these records will vary greatly as to content, subject and detail, they should be appraised for archival value. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
Blood, including blood components and blood derivatives, collection, release, transfusion and related records:


RETENTION: 10 years, or 6 months after the expiration date of the individual product, whichever is later

 2020 (♦)
 CO2 489; MU1 453; MI1 396 766
Biologics receipt and distribution record


CO2 490; MU1 454; MI1 397 767

a: Detailed delivery record:
RETENTION: 2 years

b: Summary record of receipt and distribution:
RETENTION: 5 years
District laboratory supply station records


CO2 491; MU1 455; MI1 398 768

a: Notification of establishment or discontinuance of station or of appointment or termination of its caretaker:
RETENTION: PERMANENT

b: Certificate of approval of station maintenance:
RETENTION: 2 years

c: Periodic inventory of station supplies:
RETENTION: 6 years
Laboratory examination test results (clinical)


CO2 492; MU1 456; MI1 399 769

a: Positive report of syphilis serology:
RETENTION: 7 years

b: Negative report of syphilis serology:
RETENTION: 2 years

c: Tissue pathology (including exfoliate cytology) report:
RETENTION: 20 years

d: Cytogenetics report:
RETENTION: 25 years

e: Clinical, except those listed above:
RETENTION: 7 years
Forensic and toxicology test results:


RETENTION: 6 years
NOTES: These records may need to be retained as long as related case investigation records. Consult the appropriate law enforcement or investigative agency to determine if these records may be needed longer for legal purposes.

 CO2 887; MU1 759; MI1 761 770
Laboratory examination test results (environmental health)


2020 (♦)
 CO2 493; MU1 457; MI1 400 771

a: Chemical analysis of potable water supply and testing for critical agents:
RETENTION: 10 years

b: Routine analysis of water at pool or beach (non-potable water testing):
RETENTION: 0 after posted to summary record, or 5 years if not posted

c: All other environmental health test results:
RETENTION: 5 years

d: Sampling data and other test results maintained by laboratory of public water supply facility, created pursuant to Section 5-1.49, 10 NYCRR:
RETENTION: 12 years

e: Local health agency copy of any environmental analysis received from laboratory:
RETENTION: 1 year