42 CFR 483.12 — F600, F607, F609, F610
Abuse Prevention & Reporting Policy
Covers all seven required components with the 2-hour and 24-hour reporting timelines.
POLICY: ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION PREVENTION AND REPORTING
Facility: [NAME] Effective: [DATE] Review: annually Owner: Administrator
PURPOSE
Residents have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of
property and exploitation. This policy establishes the seven required components.
POLICY
1. SCREENING — Criminal background checks and registry verification (nurse aide
registry, licensing boards, OIG exclusion list) before hire and as required
thereafter. No individual with a substantiated finding is employed.
2. TRAINING — All staff, contractors and volunteers are trained at orientation
and at least annually on recognizing and reporting abuse and neglect.
3. PREVENTION — Adequate staffing and supervision, resident risk identification,
behavioral support planning and environmental safeguards.
4. IDENTIFICATION — Staff report any suspicion; sources include observation,
grievances, injuries of unknown origin and resident/family reports.
5. INVESTIGATION — The administrator or designee begins investigation
immediately, interviews witnesses, secures evidence and documents findings.
6. PROTECTION — The resident is protected during the investigation; the accused
individual is removed from resident contact pending outcome.
7. REPORTING AND RESPONSE —
- Report to the administrator immediately.
- Report to the state survey agency and other required officials immediately,
but not later than 2 hours if the allegation involves abuse or results in
serious bodily injury, and not later than 24 hours for all other allegations.
- Submit investigation results within 5 working days of the incident.
- Take corrective action if the allegation is verified.
DOCUMENTATION
Incident report, witness statements, investigation summary, notifications log,
resident and representative notification, and corrective action.
RETALIATION
No staff member is retaliated against for reporting in good faith.
Approved by governing body: ____________________ Date: ______