QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF MEDICAL RECORD DOCUMENTATION IN IMAM REZA HOSPITAL, MASHHAD, IRAN

Abstract

Introduction:

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease. Given the importance of medical record documentation for diabetic patients and its significant impact on accurate treatment process, as well as early diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic complications, this study aimed to qualitatively evaluate medical record documentation of diabetic patients.

Methods:

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on all medical records of diabetic patients (1200 cases) in the comprehensive Diabetes Center of Imam Reza Hospital. A checklist was prepared according to the main sectors and their sub-data elements to conduct a qualitative evaluation on documentation of medical records of diabetic patients.  Descriptive statistics were used to report the results.

Results:

In this study, 1200 (710 women and 490 men) cases were evaluated. Mean documentation of main sectors of diabetic patients’ records were as follows: 49% demographic characteristics, 14% patient referral, 4% diagnosis, 50% lab tests, 25% diabetes medications,13% nephropathy screening test, 10% diabetic neuropathy, 41% specialty and subspecialty consultations and internal medicine physicians visits did not complete for all the patients.

Conclusion:

According to the results of this study, qualitative evaluation of medical record documentation of diabetic patients Showed poor documentation in this regard. It is suggested that results of this study be accessible to physicians of healthcare centers to take a positive step toward improved documentation of medical records. In addition, it seems necessary to modify diabetic medical records.