Sold at extremely high prices, a record $45,000 was paid for a single gallbladder (Barron 1991). To illustrate the avid market in this product, an Asian dealer in New York City was murdered in 1991 to obtain his profits from the sale of bear gallbladders.
In the absence of state law guidance, APA's Record Keeping Guidelines indicate that psychologists may consider maintaining full records for seven years after the last date of service or for three years after a minor patient reaches majority, whichever comes later.
Hospital records must be retained for 10 years. The records of minors are retained until after the expiration of the period of the election following achievement of majority prescribed by statute (one year). Nursing homes must store medical records for 10 years from discharge or death.