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Version: 3.1

Close an encounter

This flow shows how to end an episode of care. The end state is an encounter with the status Completed, or an inpatient encounter that is ready for discharge.

:::info Prerequisite Read Encounter to learn the statuses of an encounter and which statuses are terminal. :::

Before you start​

  • You need a role with update encounter permission. Admin, Doctor, Nurse, and Facility Admin hold this permission.
  • The encounter is open.
  • The clinical work of the episode is complete.

Steps​

1. Open the encounter​

In the facility menu, select Patients. Open the list for the encounter type you want. Open the encounter from the list.

2. Start the close action​

In the Actions panel, select Mark as Completed.

If the encounter is an inpatient encounter that is not yet discharged, the button shows Mark for discharge.

3. Complete the discharge details​

This step applies only to an inpatient encounter that is not yet discharged.

Care opens the encounter questionnaire and sets the status to Discharged.

FieldNotes
Encounter StatusDischarged. Care sets the discharge date and time for you.
Discharge DispositionWhere the patient goes after discharge.
Discharge Summary AdviceAdvice for the patient after discharge.

Submit the questionnaire. Then select Mark as Completed again to close the encounter.

4. Confirm​

Care asks you to confirm the action.

If the encounter comes from an appointment, Care can also close the appointment and the token. The confirmation shows this warning.

Select Mark as Complete. Press Enter to confirm.

Care confirms with the message "Encounter Completed".

After you close the encounter​

Next stepWhen
Print the discharge summaryThe patient needs a paper copy.
Restart EncounterYou closed the encounter by mistake, and care must continue.
Create an encounterThe patient returns for a new episode. See Create an encounter.