For readmission, which approach to admission documentation is required?

• A. Complete the admission documentation as if the child was never in your care; or, for children discharged within the last 12 months, you may update the previous admission documentation.
• B. Update only the discharge summary.
• C. Create entirely new admission documentation from scratch.
• D. Do not admit the child and keep current records.

Answer: (A)

When a child is readmitted, the record needs to reflect the child’s current status with complete, up-to-date information. The approach is to prepare admission documentation as if the child is new to the agency, so all current details—placement plan, medical or behavioral needs, consent, and support arrangements—are captured clearly. If the child was discharged within the last year, you may instead update the previous admission documentation to reflect the readmission. This keeps the record continuous and accurate while avoiding unnecessary duplication.

This matters because relying only on a discharge summary wouldn’t ensure that all current needs and plans are documented, and starting fresh every time isn’t always necessary or efficient when a recent admission file already exists. Also, simply refusing admission would ignore the required process of formally recognizing the child’s return to care.