When documenting a first call attempt to a patient, what should be noted in the Summary field?

The Summary field is intended to provide a concise record of the key elements of the first call attempt to the patient. Noting "First Call" or "First Attempt" in this field is important because it clearly indicates that an initial outreach was made, which is a foundational element in tracking patient communication and ensuring ongoing follow-up.

This documentation is vital for maintaining a clear history of interactions, which can help inform subsequent attempts or care decisions. It helps other staff members understand the status of the outreach without needing to delve deeper into the details of the conversation or any messages left, which can be found in other fields if necessary.

While details such as the patient's insurance, the specific message left, or referral authorization numbers are important in their own right, they do not fulfill the primary purpose of the Summary field, which is to summarize the nature of the call attempt itself. Thus, the inclusion of "First Call" or "First Attempt" succinctly captures the intent and outcome of that initial patient interaction.