The "Opinions" pointed out that once the residents' health records are established, they should be preserved for the residents for life. It is necessary to abide by the file confidentiality system, not to damage or lose the health files, and not to disclose the personal information of residents and private information related to residents' health in the health files without authorization. Unless prescribed by law or for the purpose of protecting residents' health, residents' health records shall not be transferred or sold to other personnel or institutions, and shall not be used for commercial purposes. When the primary medical and health institutions in urban and rural areas change for some reason, they shall transfer the established residents' health records to the county-level health administrative department or undertake the management of the institutions that continue their functions.
The "Opinions" pointed out that an electronic health record information system should be gradually established. All localities should actively create conditions, gradually promote the establishment of standardized electronic health records, and encourage provincial or prefecture-level cities to research and develop relevant information systems. The electronic health record information system should be gradually interconnected with the new rural cooperative medical system, the basic medical insurance information system for urban workers and residents, and the information systems for infectious disease reporting, immunization, maternal and child health care, and hospital electronic cases, so as to realize the sharing of information resources and establish a regional health information platform based on residents' health records.