Patient Abuse

1. Patient Abuse Chapter 13

2. Tennessee Bureau of InvestigationWarning Signs of Patient Abuse • TBI warns individuals to watch for signs of abuse and report the lawful enforcement if they observe any signs in the following areas: • Physical • Sexual • Neglect http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/divisions/cid_mfcu_abuse_signs.htm

3. Physical Abuse • Frequent unexplained injuries or complaints of pain without obvious injury • Burns or bruises suggesting the use of instruments, cigarettes, etc. • Passive, withdrawn and emotionless behavior • Lack or reaction to pain • Injuries that appear after the person has not been seen for several days • Reports of physical abuse

4. Sexual Abuse • Sexually transmitted diseases • Injury to the genital area • Difficulty in sitting or walking • Fear of being alone with caretakers • Reports of sexual assault

5. Neglect • Obvious malnutrition • Lack of personal cleanliness • Habitually dressed in torn or dirty clothes • Obvious fatigue and listlessness • Begs for food • In need of medical or dental care • Left unattended for long periods • Reports neglect

6. Areas of potential risk in Elder Abuse • Wanton neglect • Abusive Search • Forcible Administration of Medications • Intimidation of Abusive Resident/Disciplinary Overkill • Deficient Care

7. Child Abuse • Definition: An abused child is one who has suffered intentional serious mental, emotional, sexual, and/or physical injury inflicted by a parent or other person responsible for the child’s care.

8. Reporting • Most states have enacted legislation that: • Requires health professionals to report suspected child abuse. • Provides civil immunity for making a good-faith report.

9. State of Utah Utah County Children’s Justice Center Reporting Possible Abuse Protecting children from abuse is everyone's responsibility."Whenever any person...has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to incest, molestation, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in (this abuse)...he shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division (Division of Child and Family Services-Department of Social Services, Protective Services)." (Utah State Code §62A-4-501) "Reason to believe" does not mean that you must prove a child is being abused or neglected. It is the role of the investigators (law enforcement officer or Protective Service worker) to investigate and establish proof. The investigation should be conducted in a confidential and sensitive manner.