How should you correct an error in documentation?

• A. Erase the entry and start over.
• B. Draw a line through the error, write 'error' with initials, and document the correct information.
• C. Leave the error as is.
• D. Schedule a retraining session.

Answer: (B)

Correcting an error in documentation requires preserving the original entry while making the correction clearly traceable. The best approach is to draw a single line through the incorrect text so the original content remains legible, label it as an error, and include your initials and the date (and time if required by policy). Then document the correct information in the same place or add an addendum, following your facility’s procedures. This creates a transparent record of what happened, who made the correction, and when, which supports patient safety and legal accountability. Erasing or obliterating entries hides what was originally written and can undermine the audit trail. Leaving the error as-is can mislead readers and compromise care. Scheduling a retraining session doesn’t fix the record itself; it’s a separate quality improvement step. In electronic systems, use the approved correction workflow to preserve the original entry and maintain an audit trail.