Medical Records: The Best Defence of Doctors

Abstract

The medical record “must contain sufficient data to identify the patient, support the diagnosis or reason for attendance at the health care facility, justify the treatment and accurately document the results of that treatment.” (Huffman 1990). It is important for doctors to realize that medical records have become the single, crucial and effective weapon in their hands to counter the false claims of the consumers, when they file a case for compensation. Every document authored by a doctor in his/ her professional capacity has come or the other medico legal significance at some time or the other. Medical record assist in quality review of patient care, it protect everybody involved including patient in the eventuality of litigation, to furnish documentary evidence of care provided etc.