The primary purpose of the patient record is to provide continuity of care, which means.
a. documenting services so others have a source from which to base care.
b.evaluating the quality of patient care.
c.providing information to third-party payers for reimbursement.
d.serving the medicolegal interests of the patient, facility, and providers of care.
The primary purpose of the patient record is to provide continuity of care, which means option a. documenting services so others have a source from which to base care.
To determine the correct purpose of the patient record, we need to understand what continuity of care means. Continuity of care refers to the consistent and coordinated delivery of healthcare services to a patient over time. It involves the sharing of information and medical history between healthcare providers to ensure that the patient's care is comprehensive and seamless.
Option a, documenting services so others have a source from which to base care, aligns with the concept of continuity of care. The patient record serves as a centralized source of information that contains details about past and current medical conditions, treatment plans, medications, and other relevant healthcare information. By documenting these services, healthcare providers can access the record and use it as a reference for making informed decisions about a patient's care.
While options b, c, and d also play a role in the patient record's purpose, they are not the primary purpose. Evaluating the quality of patient care (option b) and providing information to third-party payers for reimbursement (option c) are secondary functions that can be derived from the patient record. Additionally, serving the medicolegal interests of the patient, facility, and providers of care (option d) is another purpose but is not the primary purpose of the patient record.