What is the term used for the process by which a client retrieves medical records from a veterinary practice?

The term "medical record release" specifically refers to the process by which a client is given access to their pet's medical records held by a veterinary practice. This legal and procedural action is essential in veterinary medicine as it involves the client's right to obtain their pet's health information, which may be needed for a variety of reasons such as seeking a second opinion, transferring care to another veterinarian, or for personal record-keeping.

Properly executing a medical record release ensures compliance with privacy laws and guidelines that protect client information. Documentation of this process is often required, as it helps safeguard the practice against potential legal issues and ensures that the client is fully informed about the information being shared.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the specific act of allowing clients to access their medical records. Medical record retention pertains to how long records are kept by the practice, client information retrieval suggests a broader scope that may include gathering various types of data, and record transfer protocol usually refers to the guidelines governing how medical records are transferred between practices rather than the release directly to clients.