| The healthcare record is: -Chronological -Documents | | | | regulations for reimbursement and third-party payer |
| of a patient's initial database -Initial evaluation | | | | requirements. The healthcare record is kept for legal |
| -Identified problems and needs -Objectives of care | | | | protection for: -The medical care facility -The patient |
| -Prescribed treatment -Results The healthcare record | | | | -The staff -The physician The healthcare record can |
| belongs to the hospital, medical facility or office | | | | be used for: -Research -Compiling statistics |
| where it originated. It cannot be removed from the | | | | -Evaluation of healthcare delivery The healthcare |
| premises without a subpoena or court order. | | | | record originates: -In the admissions department of |
| Although much of the healthcare record is maintained | | | | hospitals -Outpatient registration -Emergency |
| through computer software systems, most medical | | | | department -Private physician facilities reception area |
| care facilities still maintain a "paper" healthcare record | | | | The major role of all departments of healthcare |
| of some sort. The healthcare record is maintained by | | | | record origins is to: -Collect patient identification and |
| the Health Information Department of hospitals and | | | | demographic information -Correct spelling of patient's |
| medical facilities and usually headed by a registered | | | | legal name and birth date is critical The information |
| record administrator or an accredited record | | | | collected is used to assign healthcare record numbers |
| technician. A former term for the healthcare record | | | | and is maintained for the lifetime of the patient. It is |
| for over fifty years was "Medical Record." The new | | | | vital that the medical transcriptionist transcribe the |
| term of healthcare record denotes both illness and | | | | identification and demographic information concerning |
| wellness. The Medical Record Department name has | | | | a patient with complete accuracy as well as all other |
| also changed to Health Information Department. | | | | physician dictated reports. A transcribed incorrect |
| What is the purpose of a healthcare record? It is a | | | | date of birth or patient number can produce chaos in |
| measurement and documentation of care rendered in | | | | the Health Information Department and throughout |
| a medical facility. The healthcare record is used to | | | | the medical facility. This article is FREE to publish with |
| plan, communicate and evaluate the quality of care | | | | the resource box. © 2007 Connie Limon All |
| given to each patient. It provides "proof" of work | | | | Rights Reserved |
| done for each patient. Documents are required to | | | | Connie Limon, Medical Transcriptionist. Visit us at for |
| meet federal, state, and JCAHO (Joint Commission | | | | more information about the unique and rewarding |
| on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) | | | | career choice of Medical Transcription. Visit Camelot |
| standards and regulations. In addition the documents | | | | Articles for a variety of FREE reprint articles for your |
| contained in a healthcare record must meet | | | | newsletter, web sites or blogs. |