> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Encounters and notes

> Start a visit, write the SOAP note, sign it, and correct it with an addendum.

An **encounter** is one visit and its note.

## Before you start

You need a verified MDCN licence and access to the patient. See [Getting access to a record](/guides/doctor/getting-access-to-a-record).

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open or start the encounter">
    Open it from **Today** or **Encounter** in the sidebar. A front-desk walk-in, a nurse's triage or a confirmed booking creates it for you. To start one yourself, open the patient and click **Start visit**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the note">
    The encounter has tabs: **Note**, **Orders**, **Meds**, **Labs**, **Imaging**, **Dx**, **Plan** and **Sign**. Write your SOAP note in **Note**. It saves as you type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prescribe and order">
    Use **Meds** to prescribe and **Labs** to order tests. See [Prescribing](/guides/doctor/prescribing) and [Lab orders and results](/guides/doctor/lab-orders-and-results).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign">
    Open **Sign** and click **Sign & complete**. **Signing is final.** Click **Confirm — sign now**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Correct a signed note

You can't edit a signed note. You see **Already signed — the note is immutable**. Instead:

1. Open the signed encounter. It says **This encounter is signed.**
2. Under **Addendum**, give a short reason and write the correction.
3. Click **File addendum**. The original note stays as it was, marked as amended.

## Cancel an unsigned encounter

If the visit didn't happen, click **Cancel encounter** before signing. The appointment is cancelled too. A signed encounter can't be cancelled.

## What you can do here

* Write, autosave, sign and amend notes.
* Order tests and prescribe from inside the encounter.

<Note>
  The **Dx** tab (coded diagnoses) is shown but disabled. Coded content is waiting for clinical sign-off. Write diagnoses in your note for now.
</Note>

## Common problems

| What you see | What to do |
| - | - |
| A version conflict message | Someone else saved the same note. PHB shows the latest copy. Merge your changes and save again. |
| **Sign failed — the encounter is unchanged. Try again.** | Try again. Nothing was lost. |
| **There is no signed note on this encounter to amend.** | Sign the encounter first, or edit it directly while unsigned. |
| **Could not file the addendum — your text is kept. Try again.** | Try again. Your text is still there. |


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