American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification Practice Exam

What is the purpose of conducting a concurrent review of medical records in a healthcare setting?

1. To identify issues after patient discharge

2. To provide timely correction of documentation

3. To assess compliance with coding standards

4. To maintain historical records for audits

The correct answer is: To provide timely correction of documentation

The purpose of conducting a concurrent review of medical records in a healthcare setting centers on the timely correction of documentation. This process occurs while a patient is still receiving care, allowing for immediate identification and rectification of any inaccuracies or omissions in the medical record. By addressing these issues in real-time, healthcare providers ensure that the documentation accurately reflects the patient's clinical status and the care provided. This not only enhances the quality of the medical record but also supports better patient outcomes, as accurate documentation is vital for effective communication among healthcare providers. In contrast, identifying issues after patient discharge pertains to retrospective review, which does not allow for the immediate correction of documentation. Assessing compliance with coding standards is typically part of a different set of reviews focused on past records and coding efficiency. Maintaining historical records for audits refers to documentation practices that occur after care is completed, which does not address the need for immediate corrections during the patient's treatment. Therefore, the concurrent review process specifically serves the crucial function of enabling timely updates to medical records, thereby enhancing overall patient care and documentation accuracy.