Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-306: Abstract prepared where required — Photographic reproductions — Reproduction considered original record.

(a) Before the hospital record is destroyed, the hospital shall cause an abstract to be made of any pertinent data, where so required by the rules and regulations of the board, or as the hospital in its discretion may find proper.

(b) (1) Any hospital may transfer and record upon photographic film of convenient size, such as microfilm, photograph or photostat, or upon nonerasable optical and electronic imaging technology, for the preservation thereof as evidence, pursuant to § 24-7-110 [repealed], for the purposes of medical research and professional education, or administrative convenience, any or all of the original files and records of the hospital, dealing with case history, physical examination and daily hospital records of the individual patients thereof, including any miscellaneous documents, papers and correspondence in connection therewith.

(2) The original documents so reproduced may be destroyed pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 68-11-305(c), and any such reproduction or copy of an original hospital record or part of an original hospital record shall be deemed to be the original hospital record or part of an original hospital record for all purposes, subject to retention and retirement as provided in § 68-11-305 and subsection (a).