Retention under the public health-general regulations - La. Admin. Code tit. 48, pt. I § 9395

Hospitals must retain patient records for 10 years. Records should be retained in original form, or via microfilm or similar technology. Images and x-rays shall be preserved in original form, or via microfilm or a similar technology for 3 years. Medicare and Medicaid participating hospitals are required to do so for at least 5 years. Such material must be retained for longer periods if requested in writing by an attending physician, a patient or someone acting legally on the patient’s behalf, or by legal counsel in connection with an interest affected by the record.