Myths vs. Facts
True or False: Failure to respond to call lights can be a form of neglect.
What is True?
Failure to provide food, hygiene, shelter, medication, or medical care.
What is neglect?
Mandatory reporters must make a report to the supervisor or MOD within this time frame after suspecting abuse.
What is immediately or as soon as possible?
An action that was taken but not written in the chart is considered this.
What is it didn't happen?
A resident complains one aide is “rough,” but care observations don’t confirm it.
What is reportable?
Allegations do not require confirmation to report.
True or False: You must have proof before reporting suspected abuse.
What is False?
A staff member overhears another employee yelling at or belittling a resident.
What is verbal or emotional abuse?
In Delaware, reporting should NOT be delayed for this reason.
What is investigating or gathering information?
This is what documentation provides during audits, investigations, or legal review.
What is evidence or proof?
A resident says another resident “hit them” during an argument, but there are no visible injuries.
What is reportable?
True or False: If a resident denies abuse, a report is not required.
What is False- based on reasonable suspicion
A vulnerable adult becomes anxious or agitated when a specific person enters the room.
What is abuse?
If you are unsure whether a situation meets the definition of abuse, you should do this.
What is report it anyway?
A verbal report to Adult Protective Services (APS) without chart documentation creates this risk.
What is lack of proof?
A resident with brittle bones fractures a rib during a documented fall witnessed by two staff members.
What is Not Reportable?
A CNA reports that a resident is frequently left wet or soiled because staff are “too busy.”
True or False: Failure to provide timely toileting and hygiene may constitute neglect.
What is True?
A nurse plans to wait a few weeks to see if bruising improves before reporting.
What is a delay in mandatory reporting?
A social worker documents concerns in the chart but does not notify Adult Protective Services directly.
What is insufficient reporting?
Failing to document observations after suspecting abuse may be viewed as this.
What is failure to follow mandatory reporting requirements?
A resident with a feeding tube misses a scheduled feeding because the nurse was busy, but no harm occurs.
What is reportable?
True or False: If a resident asks you not to report abuse, you must respect their wishes.
What is False?
A CNA reports a resident fell during transfer because no second staff member was available as required by the care plan.
What is follow care plan or protocol?
Failing to report suspected abuse can result in these two consequences.
What are legal penalties and loss of professional license?
Documentation protects both the patient and this group.
What are healthcare staff and the organization?
A resident slides out of their wheelchair after staff forget to apply the seatbelt listed in the care plan.
What is a fall due to failure to follow required safety interventions?