Reporting of Suspected Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation

Section 146.305  Reporting of Suspected Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation a)         SLF staff shall make a report when there is suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the SLF resident.  A person making a report in the belief that it is in the alleged victim's best interest shall be immune from criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action on account of making the report, notwithstanding any requirements concerning the confidentiality of information with respect to the eligible adult that might otherwise be applicable. b)         The SLF manager or employee shall contact local law enforcement authorities immediately when suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation involving physical injury, sexual abuse, a crime or death occurs to a resident as the result of actions by a staff member, family member, visitor, or another resident.  SLFs serving persons age 22 through 59 may also contact the Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-368-1463, for an investigation of allegations of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. c)         Facility staff shall be trained at staff orientation and at least annually thereafter on the definitions of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; on appropriate interventions; on how and to whom to report suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; and emphasizing that reporting should be immediate. d)         Residents, family members and residents' designated representative shall be made aware of the SLF's policy relating to reporting of suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. e)         Upon the occurrence of suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation that results in contact with local law enforcement, the SLF manager or designee must provide a preliminary report to the Department by fax within 24 hours after the occurrence.  This includes, but is not limited to, suspected abuse of any nature, allegations of theft, elopement of residents or missing residents, and any crime that occurs on facility property.  This preliminary report shall include, at a minimum: 1)         name and location of the SLF; 2)         description of situation, including what is alleged, what steps have been taken to immediately protect the residents involved, and any injury; 3)         number and names of residents involved; and 4)         other State or local agencies notified about the abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. f)         The SLF manager or designee shall submit a final report to the Department that includes how the investigation was handled, final outcome, who was involved, and what steps are being taken to prevent the situation in the future. g)         The SLF manager or designee shall be responsible for notifying the appropriate law enforcement or regulatory agency if reports of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation by a certified or licensed staff person are substantiated.