Procedure for Reporting Suspected Cases

(A) Any mandatory reporting individual, as defined in 105 CMR 155.003, shall immediately make an oral report of suspected patient or resident abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of patient or resident property to his or her supervisor or employer whenever he or she has reasonable cause to believe that any patient or resident has been abused, neglected or mistreated or had property misappropriated. Upon receiving such report, said supervisor or employer shall immediately notify the Department by oral communication, electronically transmitted report or facsimile in accordance with such guidelines as may be established by the Department. Upon receiving a report regarding misappropriation of patient or resident property, with the exception of a controlled substance, said supervisor or employer shall within 48 hours complete an internal investigation into the matter to determine whether the item(s) in question may have been misappropriated as defined in 105 CMR 155.003. If within 48 hours there is reasonable cause to suspect misappropriation said supervisor or employer shall immediately notify the Department by oral communication, electronically transmitted report or facsimile. (B) Any nonmandatory reporting individual, including, but not limited to, volunteers, may make an oral report of suspected patient or resident abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of patient or resident property to his or her supervisor or employer whenever he or she has reasonable cause to believe that any patient or resident has been abused, neglected, or mistreated or had property misappropriated. Upon receiving such report, said supervisor or employer shall immediately notify the Department by oral communication, electronically transmitted report or facsimile. (C) Any person who makes an oral report of suspected patient or resident abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of patient or resident property to the Department pursuant to 105 CMR 155.004(A) or (B) shall also send a written report containing all of the information specified in 105 CMR 155.005 to the Department within 48 hours after making the oral report. (D) Notwithstanding the provisions of 105 CMR 155.004(A) and (B), any mandatory or non- mandatory reporting individual may make a direct report to the Department of a case of suspected patient or resident abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of patient or resident property. In the case of an oral report, such report shall be followed up by a written report within 48 hours after making the oral report. (E) Written Report shall include, without limitation, an electronically transmitted report and facsimile.