BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Timely completion of medical records is a concern for many reasons. For physicians, incomplete records may result in loss of hospital privileges and income and increased legal liability after entering practice. Traditionally, medical record delinquencies have been dealt with punitively. We developed a multifaceted approach to inpatient medical record completion and implemented it at our hospital. METHODS: The intervention involved posting weekly lists of physicians who were in compliance or noncompliance with medical records completion requirements, giving positive rewards (candy bars) for those who were in compliance, and increasing faculty contact with residents over issues of medical records completion. RESULTS: This approach reversed an increasing hospital record delinquency rate that had exceeded 50% and reduced the rate to 10%-30%. Residents' views of the various components of the intervention were positive. CONCLUSION: Medical records completion rates can be increased with positive, rather than punitive, measures.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Timely completion of medical records is a concern for many reasons. For physicians, incomplete records may result in loss of hospital privileges and income and increased legal liability after entering practice. Traditionally, medical record delinquencies have been dealt with punitively. We developed a multifaceted approach to inpatient medical record completion and implemented it at our hospital. METHODS: The intervention involved posting weekly lists of physicians who were in compliance or noncompliance with medical records completion requirements, giving positive rewards (candy bars) for those who were in compliance, and increasing faculty contact with residents over issues of medical records completion. RESULTS: This approach reversed an increasing hospital record delinquency rate that had exceeded 50% and reduced the rate to 10%-30%. Residents' views of the various components of the intervention were positive. CONCLUSION: Medical records completion rates can be increased with positive, rather than punitive, measures.