Final answer:
The discharge summary is a concise report containing details of a patient's hospital stay and instructions upon discharge. It communicates important clinical information to outpatient providers. It ensures continuity of care after the patient leaves the hospital.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discharge summary is a concise account of the patient's illness, course of treatment, response to treatment, and condition at the time of discharge from the service. The discharge summary acts as a primary communication tool between the hospital and outpatient providers. It includes vital information such as the reason for hospitalization, significant findings, procedures performed, treatment provided, patient's status at discharge, and recommendations for follow-up care.