What should be included in an after visit summary?

A comprehensive AVS should include: patient information, visit date and provider, reason for visit/diagnosis, vital signs, current medications (with changes), new prescriptions, test results, treatment plan, follow-up instructions, referrals, warning signs to watch for, and contact information.

After Visit Summary Template (AVS) 2025 | Free Examples

What is an After Visit Summary?

An After Visit Summary (AVS) is a paper or electronic document given to patients at the end of a medical appointment. It summarizes the visit, provides key health information, and guides the patient's next steps in their care.

The AVS serves as a critical communication tool that helps patients remember what was discussed, understand their treatment plan, and know when to follow up or seek additional care.

Why AVS Matters

🧠

Improves Recall

Patients forget 40-80% of medical information immediately

💊

Medication Adherence

Clear instructions reduce medication errors

📞

Reduces Callbacks

Answers common questions proactively

What to Include in an After Visit Summary

A comprehensive AVS should cover these essential sections:

👤

Patient Information

Full name and DOB
Medical record number
Visit date and time
Provider name

📋

Visit Summary

Reason for visit
Diagnoses addressed
Key discussion points
Vital signs recorded

💊

Medications

Current medication list
New prescriptions
Medication changes
Instructions for each

🔬

Test Results

Lab results reviewed
Imaging findings
Pending tests
Normal vs. abnormal

🎯

Treatment Plan

Treatments ordered
Procedures scheduled
Lifestyle recommendations
Goals of care

📅

Follow-Up

Next appointment
Specialist referrals
Warning signs
When to seek care

Free After Visit Summary Template

Use this template as a starting point for your practice:

[Practice Name]

After Visit Summary

Patient: [Name]

DOB: [Date]

Visit Date: [Date]

Provider: [Name, Credentials]

TODAY'S VISIT

Reason: [Chief complaint]
Diagnosis: [Diagnoses addressed]
Discussion: [Key points discussed]

YOUR MEDICATIONS

NEW/CHANGED:

[List new or changed medications with instructions]

CONTINUE TAKING:

[List ongoing medications]

NEXT STEPS

Follow-up: [Appointment details]
Tests/Referrals: [Any pending orders]
Self-Care: [Instructions for home]

WHEN TO SEEK CARE

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office: [Phone] | After Hours: [Phone]
Patient Portal: [URL]

AVS Best Practices

Use Plain Language

Avoid medical jargon. Write at a 6th-8th grade reading level for maximum comprehension.

Example: Instead of "hypertension," write "high blood pressure"

Be Specific with Instructions

Provide clear, actionable steps rather than vague guidance.

Example: "Take 1 tablet every morning with food" vs. "Take as directed"

Highlight What's New

Clearly mark medication changes, new diagnoses, or updated instructions.

Example: Use bold text or "NEW" labels for recent changes

Include Warning Signs

List specific symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention.

Example: "Call immediately if: chest pain, shortness of breath, or fever over 101°F"

Provide Contact Information

Include who to call for questions, refills, and emergencies.

Example: Office: (555) 123-4567 | After hours: (555) 987-6543

Keep It Scannable

Use headers, bullet points, and white space for easy reading.

Example: Break information into clear sections with bold headings

AVS in Common EHR Systems

Most modern EHR systems have built-in AVS functionality:

Epic MyChart

Auto-generated AVS
Patient portal access
Customizable templates
Smart Phrases support

Cerner PowerChart

Integrated summaries
Auto-population
Print and electronic
Care plan integration

Athenahealth

One-click generation
Patient messaging
E-prescribe integration
Quality reporting

eClinicalWorks

Template library
Multi-language support
Patient education links
Portal delivery

AVS vs. Discharge Summary

Aspect	After Visit Summary (AVS)	Discharge Summary
Setting	Outpatient/Office visits	Inpatient hospitalizations
Length	1-2 pages	3-10+ pages
Audience	Patient-focused (plain language)	Clinical (other providers)
Content	Visit highlights, next steps	Full hospital course, procedures
Timing	Given at checkout	Within 24-48 hours of discharge

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an after visit summary (AVS)?

An after visit summary (AVS) is a paper or electronic document given to patients after a medical appointment that summarizes their visit. It includes diagnoses, treatments, medications, test results, follow-up instructions, and upcoming appointments to guide patient self-care.

Is an after visit summary required by law?

While AVS was originally mandated under Meaningful Use Stage 1, CMS dropped the strict requirement in 2016. However, providing an AVS remains a best practice and is included in quality reporting under MIPS/MACRA. Most healthcare systems continue to provide AVS as a standard of care.

How do I get my after visit summary from Epic?

Epic automatically generates an AVS at the end of each visit. Patients can access their AVS through the MyChart patient portal under "Visit Summaries." The summary is also typically printed and given to patients at checkout.

What is the difference between AVS and discharge summary?

An AVS is for outpatient/office visits and is simpler, focusing on visit highlights and next steps for the patient. A discharge summary is for inpatient hospitalizations and is more comprehensive, including the full hospital course, procedures, and detailed transition of care information for other providers.

After Visit Summary Template (AVS)