View source for Suspected Abuse Neglect

==Section 6 - TRAUMA==
===6.10 SUSPECTED ABUSE / NEGLECT===


[[Initial Trauma Assessment and Care|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.'''