The medical abbreviation "HPI" stands for "History of Present Illness". In medical documentation, the HPI is a detailed narrative of the patient's symptoms and medical history leading up to their current illness or condition. It is an important part of the medical history and physical examination and helps the healthcare provider to identify potential causes of the patient's symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
The HPI typically includes information such as:
The HPI is usually obtained through a patient interview and is recorded in the medical record in a standardized format. It is used by healthcare providers to establish a diagnosis, order further tests or imaging studies, and develop a treatment plan.