Section 6500.20. Reporting of unusual incidents

(a) An unusual incident is abuse or suspected abuse of an individual; injury, trauma or illness of an individual requiring inpatient hospitalization; suicide attempt by an individual; violation or alleged violation of an individual’s rights; an individual who is missing for more than 24 hours or could be in jeopardy if missing at all; misuse or alleged misuse of individual funds or property; outbreak of a serious communicable disease as defined in 28 Pa. Code § 27.2 (relating to reportable diseases); or an incident requiring the services of a fire department or law enforcement agency.

(b) Written policies and procedures on the prevention, reporting, investigation and management of unusual incidents shall be kept.

(c) Oral notification of the county mental retardation program of the county in which the home is located, the funding agency if applicable, and the appropriate Regional Office of Mental Retardation shall be given within 24 hours after abuse or suspected abuse of an individual or an incident requiring the services of a fire department or law enforcement agency occurs.

(d) An investigation of the unusual incident shall be initiated and an unusual incident report shall be completed on a form specified by the Department. Copies of the unusual incident report shall be sent to the county mental retardation program of the county in which the home is located, the funding agency if applicable, and the appropriate Regional Office of Mental Retardation, within 72 hours after an unusual incident occurs.

(e) A copy of the final unusual incident report shall be sent to the county mental retardation program of the county in which the home is located, the fund-ing agency if applicable, and the appropriate Regional Office of Mental Retardation at the conclusion of the investigation.

(f) A copy of unusual incident reports relating to an individual shall be kept in the individual’s record.

(g) A copy of unusual incident reports relating to the home itself, such as those requiring the services of a fire department, shall be kept.

(h) The individual’s family or guardian shall be immediately notified in the event of an unusual incident relating to the individual, if appropriate.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 6000.903 (relating to licensing applicability).