Helps to improve accountability

Shows how decisions related to patient care were made

Supports the delivery of services

Supports effective clinical judgements and decisions

Supports patient care and communications

Makes continuity of care easier

Provides documentary evidence of services delivered

Promotes better communication and sharing of information

between members of the multi-professional healthcare team

Helps to identify risks and enables early detection of

complications

Supports clinical audit, research, allocation of resources and

performance planning

Helps to address complaints or legal processes