Course Key Takeaways: 1. Medical records are the life blood of medical professional liability litigation and their credibility is heightened by the fact they are created before the threat of a lawsuit. 2. Medical records may also prevent medical errors and unexpected patient outcomes by keeping all members of the health care team informed about the patient's care and treatment. 3. A medical records program with policies and processes helps practices develop employee professionalism and supports compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.