# Stop or delete a care flow
URL: https://docs.awellhealth.com/docs/run-care-flows/stop-or-delete-a-care-flow

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.awellhealth.com/llms.txt).







Stopping and deleting are different actions, and both are final:

* **Stop** ends a running care flow. Its pending activities stop.
* **Delete** removes the care flow and all data associated with it.

> **Neither can be undone.** A stopped care flow can't be restarted, and a deleted one can't be
> retrieved. Deleting also destroys the clinical data collected in that flow.

When in doubt, stop it. A stopped flow keeps its record; a deleted one doesn't.

## From the patient list [#from-the-patient-list]

1. Go to the **Patient list** in Awell Care.
2. Select the patient.
3. In the list of active care flows, click:
   * **◼️** to stop the care flow, and enter a reason.
   * **🗑️** to delete the care flow and all its data.

Enter a real reason when stopping, since it's the only explanation anyone reviewing this patient later
will have.

## From the care flow activity feed [#from-the-care-flow-activity-feed]

1. Go to the **Activities** list in Awell Care.
2. Select the care flow.
3. Find the activity, which opens that flow's activity feed.
4. Click **Manage** at the top right, then stop or delete.

<img alt="The Manage menu at the top right of a care flow, offering Add track, Stop care flow and Delete care flow" src="__img0" />

Stopping asks for a reason before it goes ahead, and repeats the warning that a stopped flow cannot be
resumed.

<img alt="The Stop care flow dialog, warning that pending activities cannot be completed and asking for a reason" src="__img1" />

## Through the API [#through-the-api]

Both actions are available in the Orchestration API. See
[Care flows in the API reference](/api-reference/reference/care-flows).

## Deleting a flow is not deleting a patient [#deleting-a-flow-is-not-deleting-a-patient]

This removes one care flow. Removing the person and everything about them, which is what a
right-to-be-forgotten request means, is on
[View and edit a patient profile](/docs/run-care-flows/view-edit-a-patient-profile).

## Next steps [#next-steps]

To change what a care flow *does* for future patients, go to
[Design care flows](/docs/design-care-flows).