DD Form 2138 is used for which purpose?

• A. Inpatient Admission
• B. Release of Information
• C. Request for Transfer of Outpatient Record
• D. Transfer of Medical File to Archives

Answer: (C)

DD Form 2138 is used to request the transfer of outpatient records between military treatment facilities. When a patient moves or begins care at a new facility, the outpatient chart is needed at the receiving site to ensure continuity of care, avoid repeating tests, and keep the medical history complete. The form collects who is transferring the records, where they’re coming from, where they’re going, and necessary identifiers so the correct chart is moved promptly. It’s not about admitting someone for inpatient care, nor is it simply a release of information to an outside party, and it isn’t the process for archiving inactive records. This purpose—moving ambulatory care records from one facility to another—is exactly what DD Form 2138 is designed for.