What is the primary goal of documentation in the EMS context?

In the context of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the primary goal of documentation is to communicate patient care information. This involves recording vital data about a patient's condition, treatment provided, and any changes observed throughout the care process. Effective documentation is crucial as it ensures that all members of the healthcare team, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and receiving medical personnel, have access to accurate and timely information about the patient's status and treatment history.

This communication is essential for continuity of care, as it allows for informed decision-making and the provision of appropriate follow-up care. Moreover, comprehensive documentation serves as a record that can influence future treatment decisions and potential interventions needed by healthcare providers who may not have been present during the initial assessment and treatment.

While documentation does have other roles, such as providing information for billing and serving as a legal record, these are secondary to its primary function of ensuring effective communication about the patient's care.