After every medical visit, keep a personal copy of your medical records, test reports, and imaging scans

No cost involved. Hospitals may charge a nominal fee for photocopying, but the rate must be publicly disclosed. The real challenge is remembering to make a copy after each visit.

Laws explicitly recognize access to and duplication of medical records as a fundamental patient right. This entitlement covers all relevant documents such as outpatient and inpatient records, lab results, imaging scans, surgical and anesthesia notes, pathology reports, and billing statements. They serve as essential evidence when changing healthcare providers, obtaining a second medical opinion, filing insurance claims, or in any legal proceedings.

国务院 (2018). 医疗纠纷预防和处理条例（国务院令第 701 号）第十六条：「患者有权查阅、复制其门诊病历、住院志、体温单、医嘱单、化验单（检验报告）、医学影像检查资料、特殊检查同意书、手术同意书、手术及麻醉记录、病理资料、护理记录、医疗费用以及国务院卫生主管部门规定的其他属于病历的全部资料。」「患者要求复制病历资料的，医疗机构应当提供复制服务，并在复制的病历资料上加盖证明印记……可以收取工本费，收费标准应当公开。」「患者死亡的，其近亲属可以依照本条例的规定，查阅、复制病历资料。」第十五条「任何单位和个人不得篡改、伪造、隐匿、毁灭或者抢夺病历资料。」https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2018-08/31/content_5318057.htm；国家卫生计生委、国家中医药管理局 (2013). 医疗机构病历管理规定（2013 年版）：医疗机构「应当指定部门或者专（兼）职人员负责受理复制病历资料的申请」，复制在申请人在场的情况下进行并加盖证明印记. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2014/content_2600084.htm

Hospitals maintain dedicated counters for record copying — no need to ask doctors for help. To ensure completeness, simply read aloud the list stipulated in Article 16 of the Regulations on Prevention and Handling of Medical Disputes. It includes outpatient records, inpatient charts, temperature logs, physician orders, lab results, imaging scans, surgical and anesthesia notes, pathology reports, nursing records, and billing statements. Once obtained, organize them chronologically in a dedicated folder. The most critical documents are discharge summaries, surgical reports, pathology findings, and key imaging scans. For chronic disease management, record all relevant metrics in one notebook as described in Section 16.