Date of Last Review 10/14/10
Date of Last Review 9/2/11
SME: Patient Relations Manager
State law requires that any professional who has cause to believe that a person (including a child) has been physically or emotionally abused or neglected prior to hospitalization and outside the workplace, to personally report their suspicions within 48 hours of becoming aware of the issue to:
 | Their supervisor & |
| The appropriate protective service (see Contacts) |
* The professional cannot delegate to or rely on another person to make the report.
The law provides the following protection/immunity for the reporting employee:
| The reporting employee is immune from civil or criminal liability if s/he, without malice, reports suspected abuse or neglect. |
| Reports of abuse and neglect are confidential. Information in the reports, including the name of the person who makes the report, may be used only for the investigation of abuse or neglect. |
Definition
For reporting purposes, professionals are defined as persons who are:
The 24-hour Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Hotline is 1-800-252-5400 or online at www.txabusehotline.org.
This table describes how any suspicions of abuse that occurred outside UTHCPC are reported:
Stage |
Description |
1 |
The individual who made the report to the appropriate protective service agency and/or supervisor discusses these suspicions, with the treating physician who determines whether treatment plan entry is appropriate. |
2 |
Following the individual's report of the allegation, which shall include documentation by that person in the patient’s record of date, time, and agency called, the physician examines the patient, notes the suspicion of abuse and makes an entry into the patient’s record and, if appropriate, the patient’s treatment plan for follow-up by the patient’s social worker. The patient’s social worker interviews and assesses the patient for continued follow-up/referral. The social worker also documents findings in patient record and reports these findings to the patient’s treatment team. |
3 |
The reporting professional informs the suspected abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, by calling the 24-hour Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400 |
4 |
Representatives of the mentioned agencies give the reporting professional the directions for reporting to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and for writing follow-up reports. Written report: If a written report is required, the reporting employee must forward a copy to the administrator. |
For additional information, see Abuse and/or Neglect Assessment Responsibilities
To report possible abuse occurring at UTHCPC, see Reporting and Investigating Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation at UTHCPC
If you have questions regarding the contents of this site please contact the
Policies and Procedures Committee.
If you experience any technical problems please contact the MIS Department..
