'Patient Chart Is Their Evidence, Your Defense'

When prescribing controlled substances to patients, it all comes back to the medical chart. Carlos Aquino, compliance consultant for PharmaDiversion, LLC., expresses the importance of using medical charts, and what you need to write down when prescribing drugs.

You need to document in the medical chart the treatment plan, tests and other evaluations to justify why the prescription was written. The DEA will ask what led you to believe you needed to prescribe that controlled substance. Just remember: The patient chart is their evidence, and the patient chart is your defense.