What does HPI stand for in medical documentation?

HPI stands for History of Present Illness in medical documentation. This term is a critical component of the patient’s medical history and is used to describe the progression of the patient's current condition. It involves a detailed account of the symptoms the patient is experiencing, including their onset, duration, intensity, and any factors that may improve or worsen them. The HPI helps healthcare providers understand the context and nuances of the patient's illness, enabling them to make more informed diagnostic and treatment decisions.

The accurate documentation of HPI is essential for effective communication among healthcare teams and contributes to the overall quality of patient care. This section typically follows the chief complaint and provides a narrative that allows clinicians to derive relevant clinical information to guide further evaluation and management.