Every time a patient receives health care, healthcare workers assemble and maintain a record of the care the patient receives. Medical records show which immunizations a toddler has already received; why an adult visited the emergency room and what treatment was decided upon; what an elderly person's EKG looked like the last time she was in the hospital -- and so much more. As you can see, the official record of previous care that the patient has received can be very important information to determine what care he or she needs now. The world of medical records is an increasingly complex one as electronic medical records become more and more the norm -- however, ultimately electronic medical records should help to simplify records and improve patient care.