Ms. Brown is filling in a patient's chart and makes a mistake. What should she do?

When filling in a patient's chart, proper documentation practices are crucial for maintaining accurate medical records. If a mistake is made, the appropriate procedure is to cross out the error clearly while ensuring that it remains legible. Writing your initials above the crossed-out mistake and then adding the correct information is essential because it indicates that the correction was made intentionally and by the person responsible for the original entry. This method preserves the integrity of the medical record, allows others to see what was changed, and helps maintain accountability.

Using initials shows that Ms. Brown took responsibility for the correction, which is a vital part of professional standards in healthcare documentation. This practice helps prevent confusion and ensures continuity of care for the patient, as all medical professionals involved can understand what was initially recorded and what has been corrected.