Explain why patient visits should be documented at the point of care.

Documenting a visit at the point of care ensures a more accurate record, provides the most benefits from the system, and allows the note to be completed before the patient leaves the office.

The clinician can sign the note immediately. Dictation time is saved, and the need for personal dictation aides is eliminated. Patient care is improved because the patient can leave with a complete copy of the medical record, a step that stimulates compliance. The delivery pr ocess is

improved with point-of-care documentation because referrals can be accomplished with full information available at the time that the referral is needed.