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Welcome back everyone
We speak many times of the importance
of serving as a patient advocate.
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One of the most important times is when we see
negligence or abuse of vulnerable populations.
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As a collective effort to ensure our vulnerable
are protected, we engage in mandatory reporting.
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Mandated reporters have an individual
duty to report known or suspected abuse
or neglect relating to children,
dependent adults or elders.
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So let's look at some definitions.
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A child is defined as anyone
less than 18 years of age.
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A dependent adult falls between 18 and 64 years of age
and they also have physical or mental limitiations
which restrict their ability to carry out normal
activities or protection of their rights.
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And finally, an elder who is 65 years of age or older.
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Some professions of reporters include social
workers, teachers, healthcare workers,
child care providers, law enforcement, mental health
profrssionals, medical professionals, and clergy.
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There are general reporting statutes to consider.
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First is the good faith belief, and
second is the reasonable suspicion.
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Now there is protection for you under
these general reporting statutes
and it provides for immunity from civil,
criminal and professional licensure actions.
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This is also a confidential report and the identity
of the reporter is hidden from the public.
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Good faith, is a presumption that attaches to
all reports and it must be rebutted by another.
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For example, a family member
or even the alleged victim.
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Here is some guidelines to consider:
You need to watch, look and listen to your patient.
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Gather as much information as you
can about the patient's concerns.
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Assess the patient constantly for any signs of physical abuse,
mental anguish, fear, financial abuse or any unusual behavior.
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Document your observations and conversations
pursuant to your facility or agency's policy
and if forms are required, use them.
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Share your concerns with the individual identified
in your facility or agency policy to do so.
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For example, your chief nursing officer and
administrator, or your risk manager.
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Visit websites in your state that deal with
reporting abuse and neglect to obtain guidance
and especially in the event your concerns are
not supported by your agency or facility.
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The good news, most have direct hotlines to
report your concerns without any agency support
Consult with a nurse attorney or an attorney
to help guide you with the reporting
especially if you're not supported by your employer.
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If you're in home health nursing or even in the
emergency department, or in a long-term facility
and you and your patient are threatened, either of
your lives are at risk or injury is a possibility,
call security if available and 911.
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When filing report, do so accurately and completely
including all content the agency report requires.
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Remember, when a mandatory duty reports violence
against an individual or individuals exist,
there is no exception to the directive,
one must report without fail.
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So what did we learn today?
We learned mandated reporters have an individual duty
need to report known or suspected abuse or neglect
relating to children,
dependent adults or elders.
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Healthcare workers and medical professionals are included
in the identified common professions of mandated reporters.
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There are statutes in place to protect those
who report illegal and unethical behavior
And finally, as patient advocates, it's our
ethical duty to report these occurences.
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I hope you've enjoyed today's
video on mandatory reporting.
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Thanks so much for watching.