There is still some disagreement over the necessity of the formulation and retention of records. There is no agreement on the actual role played by these notes. However, in the defense of a malpractice claim, your records are invaluable. Records should be considered as evidence, but they can only be used to exonerate you if they exist and are in good order. You must take this responsibility seriously.
Records can be a nuisance.
As your career progresses, they may become more unwieldy and you want to have some method of disposing of them. Always know where your records are and who is responsible for them. Remember, that you are responsible for producing your records and failure to do so reflects poorly on you in malpractice litigation. Make sure they are in good order and follow the sequence of treatment. The plaintiff's attorney will be analyzing your records to ascertain if you deviated form the standard of care.