---
title: How to Close, Edit, and Follow Up on a Patient Visit
description: This article explains how a patient visit is closed (discharged) in Helix, how doctors can edit a visit after discharge within the allowed time window, and how to use Follow-Up Notes once the edit window expires.
---
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December 25, 2025
# How to Close, Edit, and Follow Up on a Patient Visit
## This article explains how a patient visit is closed (discharged) in Helix, how doctors can edit a visit after discharge within the allowed time window, and how to use Follow-Up Notes once the edit window expires.
### ๐งพ Discharging a Patient
#### **โ Why discharge matters**
- Discharge indicates that the patient has **left the facility**
- In **outpatient and day-care surgery clinics**, patients should not remain overnight
- Discharge aligns with **NABIDH expectations** for accurate encounter status
---
### ๐ค Who typically discharges the patient
- Ideally, the **last person who sees the patient**
- Usually **Reception or Cashier**
---
### โฑ๏ธ When to discharge
- Discharge patients **as soon as they leave** the clinic
---
### โ๏ธ Editing a Visit After Discharge
### ๐ Access rules after discharge
- **Doctors** can enter or edit notes **up to 48 hours after discharge**
- **Nurses** can access their **Screening page for 24 hours after discharge**
> **Note:** A note can be edited **only by the user who created it**.
---
### ๐งญ Editing a Visit from the Discharge Tab (Same Day)
1. On the **Home screen**, open the **Discharge** tab
2. Select the patient
3. Click **Open Medical Record**
4. Make the required edits and **Save**
---
### ๐ Editing a Visit After the Discharge List Resets
The **Discharge list resets every 24 hours**.
#### **โถ๏ธ If the patient no longer appears under Discharge:**
1. Use the **Search Patient** bar at the top
2. Find the patient and select **Open File**
3. Under the demographics ribbon, open **Medical History**
4. Select the relevant visit and click **Edit Visit**
- If **Edit Visit** is not visible, the **48-hour edit window has expired**
5. The Clinic Record opens in a new tab
6. Make the required changes and **Save**
7. Confirm that updates appear in the **Medical History panel**, then close the tab
---
### ๐ Using Follow-Up Notes
#### **๐ When Follow-Up Notes should be used**
Follow-Up Notes are used **after the 48-hour edit window closes**.
Typical scenarios include:
- Doctor callbacks
- Patient queries
- Lab or test result updates
- Medication clarifications
- Any post-visit status update
---
### ๐ฏ Purpose of Follow-Up Notes
- Maintains a clear **medico-legal timeline**
- Keeps updates linked to the **original encounter**
- Avoids reopening or re-admitting the visit
---
### โถ๏ธ How to add a Follow-Up Note
1. Open **Patient File โ Medical History**
2. Select the relevant visit
3. Click **Add Follow-Up Notes**
4. Enter the note and click **Add**
#### **๐๏ธ Follow-Up Note behavior**
- Notes are **date- and time-stamped**
- Notes can be **edited or deleted** later if required
---
### ๐ Notes
- Discharge completes the visit workflow in Helix
- Doctors retain limited edit access after discharge
- Follow-Up Notes are used instead of editing once the edit window expires
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