ABSTRACT
The After Visit Summary (AVS) comes in many formats, but serves as a reminder to the patient why he or she had an appointment, what the outcome of the appointment was, what further medications, treatments, or appointments the patient needs to make, what the follow-up plan is, and more. When an AVS is created and delivered well, the patient is well informed and can navigate next steps alone. A a provider may give a patient closure in the exam and then turn over discharge to a medical assistant. A provider may prefer to print and review the AVS with each patient before discharging the patient. The medical assistants might schedule appropriate follow-up care, review the AVS with the patient, and then discharge the patient from the exam room and clinic. At the check-out desk, a front office staff member may schedule follow-on appointments for the patient, print the AVS, and discharge the patient.
