Discharge Summary - A discharge summary is a clinical document that provides a clear, comprehensive overview of a patient’s hospital stay and the information required to support safe, continuous care after discharge. It typically includes the reason for admission, key diagnoses, significant events and interventions, treatments provided, the patient’s condition at discharge, and instructions or plans for follow-up care. Completed by the most responsible provider at the end of an inpatient stay, the discharge summary serves as an essential handover to primary care and other follow-up providers, ensuring continuity of care across settings.