What is one of the main goals of documentation in healthcare?

The primary goal of documentation in healthcare is to ensure continuity of care. This process allows all members of the healthcare team to access essential patient information, including medical history, treatment plans, medications, and progress notes. By maintaining clear and accurate documentation, healthcare providers can deliver seamless care, as it helps them understand past interventions and current needs of the patient. This fosters effective communication among healthcare professionals and enhances the quality of care provided, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

While documentation can support research, billing, and efficiency, these are not its primary purposes. Research databases are secondary results of comprehensive documentation practices, while billing assistance, although important, is more about the administrative side of healthcare. Minimizing patient contact is contrary to the principles of healthcare, where effective communication and patient engagement are crucial for successful treatment. Thus, ensuring continuity of care stands out as the essential purpose of documentation efforts in a healthcare setting.