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Version: 3.0

How to close an encounter

Overview​

This flow describes how to end an encounter when care for the episode is finished. A closed encounter accepts no new clinical records.

Pre-requisites​

  • The encounter is open, and the encounter is not closed already.
  • Staff record the clinical data of the episode. Care blocks new records after you close the encounter.
  • If the patient occupies a bed, staff end the location stay.
  • You have the permissions listed below.

Permissions​

PermissionAccess
Can Read encounterOpen the encounter
Update Encounter non clinicalChange the status of the encounter and record the discharge details

Steps​

1. Open the encounter​

From the facility dashboard, select Encounters. Select the encounter.

2. Open the encounter details​

Select Update Encounter Details. The encounter form opens.

note

The keyboard shortcut shift+u opens Update Encounter Details.

3. Discharge the patient​

In the Discharge Patient panel, select Mark for discharge. Care sets the status to Discharged.

Note: After the status is Discharged, you cannot change the status in this form.

4. Record the discharge details​

For an Inpatient, Observation, or Emergency encounter, complete the Hospitalization Details section:

ComponentsWhat it captures
Re-admissionWhether the patient returns for the same problem.
Admit SourceWhere the patient comes from, for example From outpatient department.
Discharge DispositionWhere the patient goes, for example Home or Other health care facility.
Discharge Date and TimeThe time the episode ends.
Diet PreferenceThe diet that the patient needs.

Enter the advice for the patient in Discharge Summary Advice.

Note: Your deployment can set the discharge disposition that Care selects first.

5. Complete the encounter​

Select Mark as Completed in the encounter actions. Care shows the Mark as Complete dialog.

If the encounter still needs a discharge, the action shows as Mark for discharge.

Read the message in the dialog. Care can also close the appointment and the token of the patient.

Select Mark as Complete to confirm. To keep the encounter open, select Cancel.

note

The keyboard shortcut m c opens the Mark as Completed action.

6. Open the discharge summary​

Open the Reports panel of the encounter. Select the discharge summary template of your facility. Care shows the report for the encounter.

Expected Outcome​

  • The encounter status is Completed.
  • Care blocks new clinical records against the encounter.
  • The discharge summary advice shows in the summary of the encounter.
note

To reopen a Completed encounter, select Restart Encounter in the encounter actions. Care allows a restart only within the time limit that your deployment sets.

Concepts:

Flows: