For children's records, how long must they be kept?

The requirement to maintain children's records for a specific duration is guided by regulations that consider both the age of the child and any applicable statutes of limitations. The option indicating that records must be kept for six years after the child’s last examination or three years after the 18th birthday, whichever is later, aligns with the legal standards designed to ensure that sufficient medical history is available for potential future care or legal matters.

This timeframe recognizes that children may require continuity of care as they transition into adulthood. Keeping records for six years post-exam allows for adequate access to information relevant to their treatment during formative years, while extending retention until three years after they turn 18 accounts for the possibility that these records may need to support care or legal considerations after reaching adulthood.

Maintaining records for this duration, therefore, strikes a balance between ensure proper continuity of care and recognizing the rights of the individual as they mature, making it a comprehensive approach to record retention in pediatric optometry.