If you find an error in an electronic medical record before saving, what is the best action to take?

When an error is identified in an electronic medical record before saving, the best practice is to ensure that any corrections to the record are clearly documented while maintaining the integrity of the original data. Striking through the incorrect information and typing the correct data below is effective because it visually indicates that a correction was made, while still preserving the original entry. This approach respects the audit trail of entries and is crucial in maintaining a clear and transparent record.

Furthermore, it communicates to anyone reviewing the record that a change was necessary and helps prevent misinterpretations of data. It also makes it easier for healthcare providers to understand what corrections were made, facilitating more accurate clinical decisions.

In contrast, simply deleting incorrect information without documentation could lead to the loss of critical data, which could impact patient care. Leaving the incorrect data with an ADDENDUM might not clearly convey that a correction occurred. Typing "CORRECTION" can also serve the purpose, but striking through the incorrect data is more visually obvious and conforms more closely to best practices in medical documentation.