How long must a patient’s record be maintained after discharge?

In California, the law requires that a patient's medical records, including physical therapy records, be maintained for a minimum of seven years after the date of the patient's discharge. This duration ensures that there is adequate time for any potential legal issues that could arise, allowing both practitioners and patients access to necessary documentation when disputes or questions about care occur.

Maintaining records for this length of time also aligns with the standards of care within the physical therapy profession, providing a continuity of patient care and support for ongoing treatment decisions that may arise after discharge. This legal requirement reflects the importance of comprehensive documentation in safeguarding both the quality of care delivered and the legal interests of healthcare providers.

Thus, the answer indicating a requirement of no less than seven years is the correct and supported choice for this question.