What constitutes Good Documentation Practice (GDP)?

Good Documentation Practice (GDP) refers to a set of principles and guidelines designed to ensure that all documentation is accurate, complete, legible, traceable, and contemporaneous. This is especially crucial in regulated environments like healthcare, where documentation serves as evidence of compliance, supports decision-making, and ensures patient safety. Accurate means that all information recorded is truthful and free from errors. This requires careful attention to detail and verification of data. Complete means that all relevant information is included, leaving no gaps or ambiguities. Legible means that all entries are clear and easy to read, whether handwritten or electronic. This includes using proper handwriting, clear fonts, and avoiding abbreviations that may be misunderstood. Traceable means that all actions and decisions can be traced back to the individual responsible and the time they were performed. This requires proper identification of personnel and the use of date and time stamps. Contemporaneous means that documentation is created at the time the activity or event occurs, not later from memory. This ensures that the information is as accurate as possible. Documentation should be attributable, meaning it is clear who created, modified, or approved the document. The documentation should also be original, meaning it is the first record of the information. Finally, documentation should be secure, meaning it is protected from unauthorized access, alteration, or deletion. By adhering to GDP principles, organizations can ensure the integrity and reliability of their documentation, which is essential for regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and effective operations.