Suspected Abuse Neglect

Section 6 - TRAUMA

6.10 SUSPECTED ABUSE / NEGLECT

INITIAL TRAUMA CARE (2.02) as indicated.

• Note environment, patient’s interaction with care-givers, discrepancies in the history obtained from patient and care-givers, and any signs of obvious injury.
• If parents / guardians refuse to let you transport the patient, leave scene, remain in a safe location and enlist aid from law enforcement.
• Transport. It is mandatory to report your suspicions to the ER physician upon arrival.
• Contact Supervisor and then notify Department of Children and Families (DCF) at 1-800-96-ABUSE. All paramedics and EMTs are legally required to contact DCF in all situations suspected to be child and elder abuse and/or neglect.
  • To report suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child press 3.
  • To report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult press 4.
• Carefully document history and physical exam findings as well as environmental / circumstantial data on the EMS Patient Care Report.

BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE:

• Victim name, address or location, approximate age, race and gender;
• Physical, mental or behavioral indications that the person is infirmed or disabled;
• Signs or indications of harm or injury, including a physical description if possible;
• Relationship of the alleged possible responsible person to the victim. If the relationship is unknown, a report will still be taken if other reporting criteria are met.

Record the operator's name and ID # on the EMS Patient Care Report.