Hospital records may be admitted under the business records exception if they relate to diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if signed by the treating physician
• D. Only if the hospital is government-run

Answer: (A)

This hinges on the business records exception to hearsay. Hospital records kept in the regular course of a hospital’s business are allowed if they are created as part of routine practice, near the time of the events recorded, and by someone with knowledge. Medical notes that document diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment are exactly the type of information routinely maintained for patient care and administration, so they fit within that exception when properly authenticated. The hospital need not be government-run, and there’s no requirement that a treating physician sign the record. As long as the record was made in the regular course of business and meets authenticity and trustworthiness standards, it may be admitted under the business records exception.