What must be done if a medical assistant makes an error in a patient's chart?

When a medical assistant makes an error in a patient's chart, it is essential to correct it promptly and document the correction. This practice ensures the accuracy and integrity of the patient’s medical records, which are critical for ongoing patient care and safety.

By promptly correcting the error, the medical assistant shows diligence in maintaining accurate records. Additionally, proper documentation of the correction is crucial, as it provides a clear audit trail that maintains transparency in patient care. This process typically involves drawing a single line through the incorrect information, writing the correct entry, and initialing and dating the correction, ensuring that anyone reviewing the chart understands what has happened.

Ignoring the error would leave misleading information in the patient's record, potentially endangering the patient’s health. Requiring the patient to redo the visit is not a practical or appropriate response to an administrative error. Deleting the entry completely compromises the integrity of the medical record, undermining the standard protocols that ensure all information is recorded and retrievable for future care.