10+ Best SOAP Note Examples & Templates in PDF [Download Now]
The SOAP note (an acronym for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) is a method employed by those in the medical field to document a patient’s medical records and communicate with interdisciplinary healthcare providers in the evaluation and treatment of patients. While they may be used in printed charts, these notes are most common in electronic medical records for healthcare providers from various backgrounds to use and share.
Best SOAP Note Examples & Templates
1. Athletic Training SOAP Note
Athletes typically undergo a series of strenuous activities as part of their training programs and chosen sport. Because of how vulnerable they are to injuries caused by accidents and unlikely circumstances, SOAP notes are written to document the athlete’s condition and medical needs. The note can be used as a reference to determine whether the athlete is capable of joining the training programs and games prepared for the team. This can also be used to assess a person’s capacity to return to the field and play again.
2. Daily Progress SOAP Note
Healthcare providers often issue progress notes to evaluate a patient’s current status from a day-to-day analysis. This is used to record an individual’s hospitalization, including a resident’s or intern’s subjective and objective findings. Each problem written in the note must be resolved by a plan endorsed by the physician to ensure the patient’s successful recovery. Keep in mind that anything included in the note should be legible and well written to avoid miscommunication.
3. Infant SOAP Note
Babies born in the hospital don’t get to come home with their birth parents until a few tests are done to evaluate the baby’s health. Checklists and growth charts are often used for infants who stay at the hospital longer than usual because of the state the baby and/or the child’s mother is in. The note contains general information about the infant that is vital for future consultations with the pediatrician. Infant SOAP notes can be crucial to those who are in a critical state, as any misinterpretations or false findings can lead to serious consequences.
4. Medicine SOAP Note
A medicine SOAP note outlines the findings of a healthcare provider based on a routine assessment. Though it can be difficult for an average person to comprehend what’s written in the note, healthcare providers are carefully trained to understand what has been recorded by their colleagues to avoid internal conflict. Medical jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms are often used to summarize the report and maintain consistency.
5. Neuro SOAP Note
Patients confined in the hospital because of a neurological disease or disorder are constantly evaluated to determine any progressions or regressions in their condition. Given how complicated neurological cases can be, documentation plays an important role in understanding the uniqueness of a patient’s condition. Nursing notes can also be used for neuro assessments to ensure that patients are treated correctly. This can also be useful for other healthcare practitioners to learn about a patient’s medical history, diagnosis, and treatments.
6. Nutrition SOAP Note
Patients with certain conditions are often advised to go on a strict diet to prevent their health from deteriorating even further. Any nutrition-related advice is recommended to the patient through the SOAP note. Concerns, issues, or complaints experienced by the patient as a result of this program are also forwarded to the medical personnel for further assessment. That way, patients may be treated accordingly under the care of their doctors and nutritionists.
7. Post-Surgery Follow-Up SOAP Note
A patient’s condition varies from case to case. Some patients face complications after surgery, while others are lucky enough to experience a healthy recovery. To monitor one’s journey, SOAP notes are used for a continuous assessment. This may be conducted for inpatients and outpatients, depending on the patient’s capacity at the moment. It’s important to study these records intently before providing further treatment to avoid major problems from occurring.
8. Prenatal SOAP Note
Throughout the course of a woman’s pregnancy, expectant mothers will have a series of appointments with their obstetrician to monitor the baby’s development as well as the mother’s health. This will also provide the doctor with insights into possible problems that could be encountered during the pregnancy. The medical history of the baby’s biological parents will be taken into consideration during future assessments. Any updates on the baby’s growth will be documented in the medical note.
9. SOAP Note for Chronic Problems
SOAP notes used for patients with a history of chronic-related problems can help doctors track a person’s improvement and response to treatment. Keep in mind that it’s difficult for doctors to find out the root cause of a patient’s problems, which is one of the reasons why temporary solutions are provided for the time being. To treat patients properly, they are studied and evaluated over a period of time to see what can be done to help them. The findings and treatments given to the patient are then documented in a SOAP note.
10. SOAP Note for Injured Patients
Anyone who’s up for an outdoor adventure would know how prone they are to different types of injuries. Whether it involves falling off a tree or rolling down the mountain while skiing, medical professionals who provide first aid and further care to patients are required to note down their findings in a report. The SOAP note should document key findings from a healthcare provider’s assessment to ensure that patients can be treated properly and are able to continue on with their lives without restrictions.
Medical evaluations are conducted through a standardized process that healthcare professionals are advised to follow. By knowing what a SOAP note is and how it is used, you can produce reliable documents to ensure better treatment of patients.