Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Which of the following is an acceptable way to make corrections in a patient record?

1. Crossing it off in pencil and initialing it

2. Using white-out

3. Using an erasable pen and initialing it

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: None of the above

In the context of patient record management, maintaining the integrity and accuracy of medical documents is crucial. An acceptable method for making corrections in a patient record must preserve the original entry while acknowledging the correction made, ensuring clarity and preventing any potential for misinterpretation. Crossing out information with pencil and initialing it, using white-out, or employing an erasable pen would disrupt the original documentation, which could lead to questions about the validity of the record. These methods do not adequately satisfy the requirement for transparent record-keeping, as they may obscure important information. Additionally, utilizing these methods can be seen as non-compliant with legal standards that govern record-keeping in healthcare settings. Therefore, none of these approaches aligns with best practices for correcting patient records. Instead, the accepted method generally involves drawing a single line through the incorrect entry, writing the correct information nearby, and then initialing and dating the change. This method ensures that both the original mistake and the correction are visible, which is vital for maintaining accurate patient records.