Why Good Medical Documentation is Important

Medical records are an important tool in treating patients, but they’re often overlooked regarding their importance and the way they’re maintained.

In many cases, medical documentation is handled by employees who have a heavy workload and not enough time to devote to making sure records have every detail properly noted. But an emergency department, physicians, and staff need to work extra hard on this vital task. Let’s take a look at why medical documentation is so important.

Improved Patient Outcomes

Research has shown that keeping proper medical documentation improves a patient’s clinical outcome after he or she leaves the hospital. Many of the problems patients experience after discharge – from infections to harmful drug reactions – are the result of delayed or incomplete information given to healthcare providers. Moreover, patients who had gaps in their health records spent a longer time in emergency departments than those who had complete documentation.

Vital to Claims Processing

It’s only through good documentation that claims processing and reimbursement can be done in a timely and error-free fashion. In fact, experts say proper reimbursement is almost entirely dependent on good record-keeping. The rest comes down to knowing the rules set down by the federal government and other organizations.

Improves Quality Assurance

Insisting on accurate documentation regarding initial assessments and progress notes plays a key role in quality assurance. It forces practitioners to think carefully about what they do while developing a self-reflection that is important to maintaining their skills, professional development, and providing quality care in the future. Good documentation also allows members of a treatment team to learn from each other and coordinate their approaches to a patient’s overall care.

Clinical Details Are Compiled in One Place

Having clinical details in one well-maintained document helps a medical practitioner remember crucial events and treatment. By recording all of a patient’s complaint and symptoms, practitioners can identify trends that help guide them in the development of a treatment plan.

Good Medical Documentation is a Defense Against Malpractice

Most medical experts agree that best defense against a malpractice claim is proper documentation. If a procedure is not listed on the patient’s chart or another document, then judges and juries have no way of knowing if it was done. Strong record-keeping is also crucial in dealing with abusive patients, patients who don’t follow advice, or patients who come back with the same complaint without improvement.

The Concord Difference

Our extensive network of physicians are professional and ready to work with your team. As a physician-owned and operated organization, CMG has established a foundation of excellence that’s designed to meet your hospital’s changing needs. Let us help your hospital become your region’s leading patient care facility.