What should all entries in a patient's medical record be?

All entries in a patient's medical record should be initialed by the person making the entry to ensure accountability and traceability. This practice is important in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the medical record, as it identifies who made the entry and provides a way to hold individuals responsible for their documentation. Initialing serves as a verification method that indicates the information is genuine and has been recorded by a qualified individual, which is crucial for legal and professional standards in healthcare.

Other options, while they may be relevant in specific contexts, do not universally apply to all types of entries in a medical record. For instance, not every entry needs to be signed by a physician, as many records may include contributions from various healthcare staff, including aides and nurses who are not physicians. Additionally, while management approval may be necessary for certain documents or policies, it is not a requirement for every entry in a patient's medical record. Lastly, entries being typed solely by a nurse does not encompass the contributions that other qualified personnel may add to the medical record. Thus, initialing remains the best practice for ensuring proper documentation procedures.