Suspected Abuse Neglect

Section 6 - TRAUMA

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.