What is the purpose of a discharge summary in mental health care?

• A. To document care provided, summarize progress and outcomes, list medications and follow-up plans, and provide referrals to ensure continuity of care.
• B. To criticize the patient.
• C. To summarize only financial charges.
• D. To discontinue care without notes.

Answer: (B)

A discharge summary in mental health care serves to document what happened during treatment and to support a safe, coordinated transition to ongoing services. It should capture the care provided, summarize the patient’s progress and outcomes, list medications at discharge, outline follow-up plans, and include referrals or recommendations for community or primary care providers. This creates a clear record for the next clinician and helps ensure continuity of care, accountability, and safety.

Discharge summaries are not about criticizing the patient; they are not focused on financial charges, and they should never terminate care without accompanying notes.