Chapter Six Flashcards
What is a medical record? What does it enable the physician to do what?
The medical record is a written story of a patient’s medical history
It enables the physician to do the following:
■ Assess family medical history
■ Compare progress or lost ground in treatment
■ Prescribe appropriate treatment plans
■ Offer appropriate advice
■ Refer to specialists
■ Manage hospitalization, if necessary
■ Manage information that could be used in the legal system
The medical record makes it possible for the healthcare professional to provide what?
- the most appropriate patient services.
- For example, the patient with more than one physician should be sure that all physicians involved in his or her care have the most current information so they can work together for the greatest benefit
What is a hopper
A patient who switches from doctor to doctor
Why do some people hop doctors? (3)
- Patients go from doctor to doctor because they cannot find the satisfaction they are looking for in a healthcare provider
- It may be because they owe money.
- They are seeking prescribed medications (e.g., pain medication)
Advocates of a nationally standardized electronic medical records system contend that electronic records would virtually do what?
do away with a hopper
What is the medical record considered?
a legal document because the information in the record is often used as a primary source of evidence in lawsuits
- Remember this in your everyday documentation practices because what you provide in writing could win or lose a legal case
Every medical record should possess the following characteris- tics, which you can remember with what mnemonic ?
FLOAT:
■ Factual
■ Legible
■ Objective
■ Accurate
■ Timely
What is Factual in FLOAT?
- Since the medical record is a legal document, it is essential that it be factual.
- The information, if brought into a legal case, will be reviewed and possibly presented as evidence.
- The judge or jury will not be able to come to a conclusion on a point if it is not in the record
- The phrase “not recorded . . . did not happen” will be enforced.
- Additionally, if you are about to perform a procedure (such as an injection), do not record until after you have completed the procedure.
What is Legible in FLOAT?
- It is often overlooked that many healthcare professionals do not make extra efforts to write legibly
- If people cannot read your writing, how can they assess patient information?
- If you find that your own handwriting is not the most legible, do what you can to improve it. Believe it or not, this could come up in a lawsuit.
Medical records should be done in what?
- Should be done in blue or black ink only.
- Never make an entry in pencil or colored ink and never use erasable ink.
What are physicians now choosing for legible?
are now often choosing preprinted forms to save time and improve legibility issues
As specified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2009), “Authentication of medical record entries may include what?
written signatures, initials, computer key, or other code
What is going on with EMR and handwritting?
Sorry, i did not know how to ask this question lol
- EMR (the Electronic Medical Records, also known as the electronic Health Record, or EHR) have changed the systems that offices use to document patient information.
- With the EMR, much of the trouble with illegible handwriting has been eliminated. However, many prescrip- tions are still handwritten, so a brief discussion on legibility is necessary.
What is Objective in FLOAT?
- The word objective suggests impartiality and fairness
- Just the facts
- It makes sense that the information contained in the medical record be objective
- Terms such as “disagreeable” are subjective and do not belong in the record. Terms such as “every” or “never” are rarely true
What happens when a record is clogged with personal comments and a doctor reading it?
- It could hinder the assessments made in offering patient care.
- Always document as if you were trying to explain something very important to someone else: Be concise, but do not leave out any relevant details.
What happened with Jacques Flemee?
What is Accurate in FLOAT?
- The medical record is only as accurate as the efforts of those who record in it
- The lack of accuracy, after all, can be the difference between a patient experiencing improved health and one experiencing a life-threatening situation
What is also crucial in Accuracy?
- Spelling and grammer
- Accuracy does not refer just to the information either
- Though it may seem obvious, you should always double-check to assure that you have the correct medical record before beginning to document—a simple, yet costly mistake.
What is controversial issue in charting?
- Abbreviations
- There are so many abbreviations that some could be confused.
- That is why professional organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies often have their own lists of approved abbreviations. The facility where you work should have an approved list on file and could even post some near work stations as reminders.
What are words to the wise in Accuracy?
Whether an unclear statement or a spelling mistake, a poorly written entry in the medical record can hinder accurate patient care
What is Timely in FLOAT?
- Timeliness is of the essence in medical accountability
- When you are with a patient, you should be making notes immediately to ensure the most accurate information. To do anything else is a disservice to the patient, and this reflects on your professionalism
According to the American Health Information Management Associ- ation, if you are not able to enter the information in a timely manner, What did you do?
ou may add a late entry or an addendum, if it is clearly marked as such.