abuse/neglect investigations

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 9, 2005

Anyone out there involved with DOH surveys.. we had our annual about 2 weeks ago.. unfort. we had a complaint visit in April which was unfounded, but they found other things and cited us..then in May.. we had a follow up visit from a submission we had to do.. so when DOH came in in June..they didnt clear us... one of the deficiencies.. was that the facility didnt follow the abuse/neglect regulation. If we suspect abuse/neglect or a complaint of abuse/neglect happens.. the admin. and/or DON does a full investigation..and if unable to determine or they feel abuse/neglect occured..they fill out a PB 22..and submit to state..now state is saying ANYTIME a complaint of "possible" abuse/neglect occurs.. we fill out a PB 22..and they ( the state ) will do the investigation.. but until that happens..the person needs to be removed until determination is made. Family members can say anything now... and your guilty until proven innocent. It doesnt happen often.. but we have now two families that are psychotic... and degrading to staff. Staff members have no rights what so ever anymore...
Anyone with comments or suggestions to this.. I would love to hear them..

You do have someone within your facility that makes sure the state regs are followed, yes? If the reg states to utilize this form for Possible abuse, then, you must comply. If this is a new reg that has not been made public and you had no knowledge of its existence, then you may not be held to its meaning. I am involved with the regs in my state and know that they can be worded very tricky. See where you stand on this. You may have to let them investigate and then terminate the employee in question if found out of compliance. I know this does not seem fair but it is for the protection of the patient/client and too many times abuse goes unchecked and allowed to continue.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 10, 2005

If we have an allegation of abuse, we start the investigation and report it to the state. IF they think our investigation was thorough enough, they accept it and don't come visit. If they think there is more to the story, they send someone out.We suspend the parties in question until our investigation is finished. If we find the report of abuse or neglect was invalid, we bring the person involved back in and they get paid for the days they were suspended. We report everything just to be on the safe side....and of course, don't forget you have to report any time there is an incident such as a fall if it results in a fracture or sutures....

panurse101 · Jul 11, 2005

If we have an allegation of abuse, we start the investigation and report it to the state. IF they think our investigation was thorough enough, they accept it and don't come visit. If they think there is more to the story, they send someone out.We suspend the parties in question until our investigation is finished. If we find the report of abuse or neglect was invalid, we bring the person involved back in and they get paid for the days they were suspended. We report everything just to be on the safe side....and of course, don't forget you have to report any time there is an incident such as a fall if it results in a fracture or sutures....

This is exactly what the facility would do..prior to our survey. However, they no longer feel that we should do the investigations, they will. I just cant understand, how it all boils down to, one persons interpretation of a reg. Next time.. it can be different. I am new to all this.. and just baffled.. how one time something is ok..the next..its not.