What is the documented termination of services to a patient called?

The documented termination of services to a patient is referred to as discharge. Discharge signifies that the patient has completed the necessary treatment or no longer requires care from the facility, and it is a formal process that includes providing the patient with instructions or information on follow-up care, if needed. This process is carefully documented in the patient’s medical record to ensure clarity about the patient's status and to maintain compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Transfer, on the other hand, involves moving a patient from one facility to another or to a different level of care while continuing to provide services, rather than terminating them. Referral implies sending a patient to another healthcare provider for further treatment or specialized care, which does not signify the end of services at the current facility. Consultation involves obtaining advice or recommendations from a specialist about a patient’s care but does not imply termination of that care. Thus, discharge is the appropriate term for the documented termination of services to a patient.