All SOPs
12Records

File storage, retention & HIPAA

Every company file lives in a Shared Drive owned by Good Shepherd Health — never in your personal "My Drive." This protects records, continuity, and HIPAA compliance.

Where files live

  • Use Shared Drives — not My Drive — for any business document
  • Follow the 10-folder hierarchy (01 Admin … 10 Archive) from the Naming SOP
  • Name files with date prefix and version: 2026-06-18 Document Name v2
  • Never email attachments — link to the Drive file with the right permission
  • Do not download PHI to your local desktop or downloads folder

PHI & HIPAA handling

  • Treat any patient name, DOB, MRN, address, or condition as PHI
  • Store PHI only in approved, access-controlled Shared Drives
  • Never paste PHI into Google Chat, personal email, or AI tools
  • Use minimum-necessary access — share only with people who need it
  • Report any accidental disclosure within 24 hours via the Incident SOP

Permission & sharing

0/4

Retention & archive

0/5

When in doubt, do not share

If you are unsure whether a file contains PHI, whether a recipient should have access, or whether something can leave the company, stop and ask your manager or Compliance. A delayed share is always recoverable; a wrongful disclosure is not.