[Verified Answer]: According to American Health Information…

According to American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), birth registries must be kept permanently. If a box of old birth registries from 50 years ago is found, they should not be thrown away. These records hold legal, historical, and medical importance. First, secure them to protect the information. Then, check your organization’s policy and state or federal laws, which take precedence. Most states require permanent retention or transfer to the vital records office or archives. Records may only be destroyed if verified against the state’s database and certified as accounted for. If not needed on-site, they should be archived, securely transferred, or scanned into the EHR to stay in compliance.