What is the primary goal of documenting patient interactions?

Documenting patient interactions primarily serves to facilitate better communication among healthcare providers. Accurate and thorough documentation ensures that all members of a patient's care team have access to the same information, which is vital for delivering coordinated and effective care. This sharing of information can significantly enhance patient safety, reduce the risk of errors, and improve overall health outcomes by ensuring that each provider is aware of the patient's history, treatment plans, and any changes in their condition.

While compliance with legal requirements is indeed an important aspect of documentation, the primary focus is on improving communication to enhance patient care. The workload of administrative staff may be influenced by how effectively documentation is carried out, but this is not the main goal of keeping records. Furthermore, increasing patient fees does not relate to the goal of documentation or improve communication and care among providers.