What is the benefit of documenting a no-show?

• A. Do nothing and wait for the client to reappear.
• B. Attempt contact and document the no-show, assess risk, reschedule promptly, and adjust the plan if needed.
• C. Cancel all future appointments.
• D. Report the no-show to authorities.

Answer: (B)

Documenting a no-show and following up is about maintaining safety, engagement, and a clear path forward for the client. When a client misses an appointment, making a reasonable outreach attempt and recording the event creates an accurate service record and signals that attendance is important. This outreach helps you quickly check on the client’s well-being, understand if there are barriers to attendance, and determine how urgent the follow-up should be. Scheduling a new appointment promptly reduces gaps in care and keeps the treatment plan moving. Adjusting the plan as needed—such as changing visit frequency, offering additional support, or addressing barriers—ensures the approach fits the client’s current situation. Together, these steps support continuity of care and responsive case management.

Doing nothing wastes an opportunity to re-engage and may allow problems to worsen. Cancelling all future appointments is not supportive of ongoing care, and reporting the no-show to authorities is only appropriate in specific safety or legal circumstances, not as the routine benefit of documenting a no-show.