Documentation: key to survival in child life services.
With the increased demands placed on hospital resources, the need for a comprehensive documentation and program accountability system becomes paramount. In addition to the provision of services, the child life specialist must generate written program description and policy and procedure manuals, participate actively in patient charting, maintain quantitative records of clientele served, and perform program evaluation. It is only through such comprehensive documentation efforts that child life and activity therapy programs can demonstrate to administrative personnel: (a) program philosophy and direction, (b) quality, cost-effective patient care, and (c) program effectiveness. The neglect of these important managerial practices could prove detrimental to the continued survival of child life programs.
D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004282:Documentation; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*