

Document any changes to existing treatment plan(s) and the thought process behind the treatment plan(s). This includes any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures performed during the encounter or to be ordered after the visit, medications prescribed, etc. In this section, document any continuing and new plan(s) and the thought process behind it. You will conclude with the fourth section-the treatment plan (P). Document the differential diagnosis based upon the information recorded in the subjective and objective areas of the note. The third section will be the assessment (A). Items on the problem list that do not impact current treatment should not be brought into the note.If the visit is not for the treatment of allergies or an allergic reaction, do not include the patient’s allergies into the note.Only include medications that are being used to treat the chief complaint(s) and new problems, the entire medication list is not necessary.If any other items on the problem list complicate the current chief complaint(s) and any new problems, then include those problems and how/why they contribute to the current chief complaints and/or new problems.Įnsure you avoid note bloat by taking the following steps: Be sure to highlight any changes in the examination, document any relevant diagnostic testing (i.e., laboratory, radiology, pathology) associated with the chief complaint(s) and any new problems. The section that follows should be objective (O), documenting the physical exam associated with the chief complaint(s) and any new problems. Also, document the patient’s degree of adherence to the treatment plans from the previous visits. Ensure the documentation of the patient’s chief complaint(s) and any new problems are clearly stated.

However, copying and pasting previous notes should be avoided given the risks of inclusion of irrelevant or inaccurate information as well as the risk of excessively long notes (also referred to as note bloat). Most EHRs allow you to copy and paste previous notes, all lab results, radiology reports and other sections of the chart into your note. In the subjective section (S), start the note by identifying previous notes that were reviewed by referencing the past notes into the current note.

Step one is to review the relevant medical history including any previous notes for the patient so that the patient’s status is fully understood.There are two suggested steps to document an effective and informative note, and four sections (SOAP or APSO) that you will want to include in a patient note. When approaching notes, ensure you follow the two acceptable formats, SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment and plan) or APSO (assessment, plan, subjective, objective). By following some documentation guidelines, you can write a strong and concise note, no matter what EHR you use. Your EHR can help you write a better note, but it can also make a note more difficult to read. EHRs aim to assist you in writing a patient note, but in the end, the note comes from you, the physician or caregiver, not from the EHR. A patient note is the primary communication tool to other clinicians treating the patient, and a statement of the quality of care.
