Will your medical records get you into trouble?

Medical records frequently become legal documents. They can be the physician's best friend or worst enemy, depending on how the healthy care provider has maintained and cared for the record. Medical records that are properly maintained, including those that have properly made changes, can turn out to be a physician's staunchest ally. One cannot hope to rely on the support of a friend when the relationship has been tampered with. The health care provider has the duty to properly maintain the custody of the record, protecting the patient's right to confidentiality.