The records should be kept under lock and key, in the custody of the doctor concerned or may be kept in a central record room in hospitals where such facility is available as per the institution rules. The medical council of India has recommended maintaining medical records for a period of three years from the date of commencement of treatment. If any request is made for medical records from the patients then the hospital must issue the records within 72 hours. This study deals with the necessity of managing hospital records and the problems encountered in the management of health records in government hospitals in Chennai.