Ancillary Departments Documentation

Ancillary departments are the departments that provide treatment and services that support the patient’s overall care plan. Ancillary departments perform ancillary services—tests and procedures sometimes ordered by a physician—and these services assist the physician with diagnosing and treating the patient. Ancillary departments also consist of departments that play an indirect patient care role but are necessary for the overall management of patient care. These departments include pharmacy, nutrition, HIM, social services, and patient advocacy and patient relations. Many ancillary departmental services must be documented within the patient health record according to the governing standards and regulations within a specific department.