What is the primary purpose of a medical record audit in PMU practice?

• A. To focus on financial performance only.
• B. To assess staff satisfaction.
• C. To ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance; it may assess documentation quality, timeliness, legibility, and policy adherence.
• D. To evaluate facility cleanliness.

Answer: (C)

The main concept is that the purpose of a medical record audit is to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance in documentation. In PMU practice, audits verify that what’s written in the record truly reflects the care provided, is thorough and timely, is readable, and follows organizational policies and regulatory requirements. This not only supports correct coding and billing but also strengthens patient safety and provides a reliable record for legal and quality purposes. It’s not about financial performance alone, staff satisfaction, or facility cleanliness, which aren’t the focus of a medical record audit. When gaps are found, the audit guides improvements in documentation processes, templates, timing of entries, and adherence to policies.