COMPLETION OF MEDICAL RECORDS

PURPOSE:

To ensure that all Medical Records are completed within ten days of death or discharge.

DEFINITION:

A "Complete Medical Record" is one in which all error or deficiencies have been corrected; a discharge summary has been completed by all departments involved in resident care; the correct ICD-9-CM code has been assigned to the final diagnosis and recorded in the Disease Index; and the record is properly secured and filed.

PROCEDURE:

The following list outlines the steps for prompt completion of Medical Records.

A. Remove the chart from the nursing unit and obtain all purged portions of the record from the medical record files.

B. Use the "Medical Records Discharge Check List" to assemble the chart and document deficiencies.

C. Notify departments of charting deficiencies and discharge summaries that they need to complete.

D. A memo of record is written in all charts that contain unsigned documents to verify that staff are no longer employed at this facility and, as such, can not complete their portion of the medical record.

E. Assign the correct ICD-9-CM code to the final diagnosis and record it in the Disease Index.

F. All items under "Discharge Information" on the bottom portion of the Admission Record are to be completed except Length of Stay and Total Days Stay.

G. Sign and date the "Medical Records Discharge Check List" to verify completeness.

H. Properly secure and file the medical record.

I. All photocopies of records pertaining to resident care during their stay at another facility are to be destroyed.
 


MEDICAL RECORDS  - 35-03-011

 

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