Apparatus and a method for associating an electronic patient record with the corresponding patient are described. A data processor accesses a patient record not associated with a unique person and compares the patient identification data to corresponding data in a known patient record to identify a set of likely matching patients. An input is provided for selecting a matching patient. Also disclosed is apparatus for providing customized patient discharge instructions relating information in the electronic patient record to patient-specific discharge instructions. A data processor inserts the patient specific instructions into draft instructions, thereby producing patient-specific discharge instructions. An updated version of charting by exception is disclosed, using macros to positively record data on a medical record that is not specifically marked on a template by the attending medical professional. Also described is an apparatus for translating a visual documentation language, communicating specific medical concepts in a highly compact form, to clinically relevant English, enhancing the usability of a pen/digital camera combination for data entry.