How to Reopen a Patient Case (SOAP 2.0)
If you have discharged a patient but need to reopen the patient’s case, you have three options to continue documentation. To learn more about patient discharges, click here.
Why would I need to reopen a case?
- I forgot to document a Daily Note on a closed episode of care
- A patient unexpectedly returned for treatment on a previous episode of care that has an Administrative Discharge
- A patient unexpectedly returned for treatment on a previous episode of care that has a Discharge Summary
Note: In general, cases should not be reopened to continue documentation for scenario #3 or if the patient returns for treatment for a different ailment. In these instances, we recommend creating a new case and starting a new episode of care for the patient with an Initial Evaluation.
- From the Patient Manager, select Display Patients.
- Use the Patient Status drop-down menu to filter your search results by Discharged. Next, select the patient case you want to reopen.
- The D/C Badge indicates that the patient has been discharged.
Adding a Missed Daily Note to a Discharged Case
Occasionally, you may need to add documentation to a case that has been closed.
- Select the Menu [...] button, then click Add Missed Daily Note.
- Enter the Date of Visit for the Missed Daily Note. The date must be prior to the discharged date. Complete your documentation, then click Sign.
- The Missed Daily Note will appear in the Notes section.
Resuming Treatment on an Administrative Discharge
If a discharged patient returns for treatment, you can reopen the case by converting the Administrative Discharge to a Case Note.
- Locate the Administrative Discharge and select the Date of Service.
- Select the Menu [...] button, then click Addend.
- Select the Signed Administrative Discharge drop-down, then click Convert to Case Note.
- Select the Yes radio button to convert the note type, then click Apply.
- Record the Title of document, then click Sign.
- You have successfully reopened the case, allowing you to continue patient documentation. The Administrative Discharge has been replaced by a Case Note. If the D/C Badge is still visible on the Patient Profile, refresh your browser to reflect the recent changes.
Resuming Treatment on a Discharge Summary
If a discharged patient returns for treatment, you can reopen the case by converting the Discharge Summary to a Progress Note. In general, if the patient hasn’t been seen in more than 60 days, you should start a new episode of care for the patient by creating a new patient case and completing an Initial Evaluation.
- Locate the Discharge Summary and select the Date of Service.
- Select the Signed Discharge Summary drop-down, then click Convert to Progress Note.
- Record your recent findings, then click Sign.
- You have successfully reopened the case, allowing you to continue patient documentation. The Discharge Summary has been replaced by a Progress Note. If the D/C Badge is still visible on the Patient Profile, refresh your browser to reflect the recent changes.