Medical Services
Clearance Examinations
Three types of clearance examination are performed at the CAARE Center:
- Children being placed in foster care
- Drug Endangered Children
- Parental Child Abductions
Clearance Exams for Children Placed in Foster Care
Clearance exams are performed to identify and document medical evidence of child maltreatment and to screen children for urgent or infectious medical conditions prior to placement in foster care. Children receive immediate access to medical care. Results of these exams ensure that children receive medical treatment as soon as possible; Child Protective Services can make decisions about the child's best interest; and foster parents are knowledgeable about the health needs of the children placed in their home. Clearance exams are performed by CAARE Center nurse practitioners and pediatricians.
Clearance exam screening and medical evaluation includes but is not limited to:
- Brief history of assault and/or neglect, as indicated by patrol officer, emergency response social worker, and medical history as available
- Triage for serious medical problems and referral to UCDMC Pediatric Emergency Department
- Weighing, measuring and taking patient's vital signs
- Perform complete head-to-toe physical examination
- Identify acute medical conditions
- Screen patient for infectious disease
- Identify and document any physical evidence of maltreatment, including photodocumentation
- Patients are discharged with instructions to be delivered to the foster parent or to the Children's Receiving Home staff by the Family Service Worker or designee
- Patient discharge includes common prescription medications with instructions, when indicated, and any recommended medical follow-up necessary. Prescriptions will be given for other medications, as indicated. Also accompanying patient will be information about the Foster Care Health Program comprehensive examination and appointment scheduling
- Clinical laboratory referrals and x-rays, as indicated.