Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. ASSESSMENT OF POSSIBLE ABUSE/NEGLECT/EXPLOITATION POLICY: The agency will report all cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect to appropriate state agencies and in compliance with state law and regulations. PURPOSE: To ensure that all suspected client abuse and/or neglect is reported under the appropriate laws and regulations. DEFINITIONS: ABUSE: Any act that constitutes the intentional and non-therapeutic infliction of pain or injury or any persistent course of conduct intended to produce mental or emotional distress. NEGLECT: Failure of a caretaker to supply the client with necessary food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, or supervision; or the absence or likelihood of absence of necessary food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, or supervision for a client. CARE GIVER: An individual or facility responsible for all or some of the care voluntary or by agreement, such as a relative, friend, or agency personnel. REPORT: Any report received by the local welfare agency, police department, county sheriff, or licensing agency; a verbal and/or written statement of abuse and/or neglect that states the following; 1) what happened, 2) to whom it happened, 3) when it happened, 4) where it happened, 5) who did the abusing or was responsible for the neglect. INDIVIDUAL MANDATED TO REPORT: A professional or the professional * s delegate who is engaged in the care of clients or in education, social services, law enforcement, or any related occupations, who had knowledge of the abuse or neglect of a client who has reasonable cause to believe threat that a client is being or has been abused or neglected, or who has knowledge that a client has sustained a physical injury that is not reasonably explained by the history of injuries provided by the caretaker or caregiver(s) of the client. Occurrences can include, but may not be limited to: Physical Abuse Verbal Abuse Neglect/failure to Provide Sexual Abuse Financial Abuse Neglect Malnutrition Bruise Welt Abrasion Puncture Wound Laceration Burn Dislocation Fracture Internal injury Hitting Slapping Exposure to weather conditions Verbal Assault Verbal humiliation Verbal Threat Physical care Emotional care Medical care Acceptable environment Adequate supervision Sexual abuse Sexual Assault Sexual exploitatio n Money misuse Property misuse Money theft Property theft CHILD ABUSE, neglect or exploitation: "Any act of omission or commission that endangers or impairs the child's physical or emotional health and development." Child abuse, neglect or exploitation includes physical assault, nutritional neglect, drug abuse, neglect or exploitation (poisoning or drugging), medical care neglect, sexual exploitation, safety neglect, corporeal punishment and emotional assault. PROCEDURE: L-17 Home Health Agency Client Assessments