Palm Beach County Fire Rescue SOG 510-02 Suspected Abuse/Assault Patient PDF

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 510-02 Suspected Abuse/Assault Patient Issue Date: 08/02/2022 Effective Dat...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 510-02 Suspected Abuse/Assault Patient Issue Date: 08/02/2022 Effective Date: 11/04/2022 PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating guideline is to provide a course of action when Fire Rescue personnel suspect or become aware that an individual may have been physically or sexually assaulted or abused, neglected, abandoned, exploited, or are self-neglecting to the extent they are imminently endangered. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Fire Rescue Personnel. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Florida Statute Adults Attachment B: Florida Statute Minors PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents where EMS personnel suspect minor or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect has occurred and provides proper identification and state mandated reporting measures. 1. Reporting Suspected Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, or Exploitation of Minor or Vulnerable Adults: a. As per Florida Statute 415.1034 or Florida Statute 39.201, EMS personnel are mandated to report: i. Suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a minor or vulnerable adult. ii. Death suspected as a result of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. b. Florida Statute 415.102 defines a “vulnerable adult” as: a person 18 years of age or older whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for his or her own care or protection is impaired due to a mental, emotional, sensory, long-term physical, or developmental disability or dysfunction, or brain damage, or the infirmities of aging. 2. Suspected Physical Abuse: a. While on scene, Fire Rescue personnel shall: i. Notify Law Enforcement (LE). ii. Notify the EMS Captain. iii. Not leave a victim alone (must be transported or turned over to LE). SOG 510-02 Suspected Abused Patient Page 1 of 2  b. Upon patient transfer at the hospital, notify the receiving hospital. c. Follow-up activities shall include: i. Report to Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE) or complete form Online. This shall apply to all qualifying instances where abuse is suspected, even when the scene is turned over to Law Enforcement. ii. Initiate a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) referral, to include ID number of the Florida Abuse Hotline worker. iii. Thoroughly document according to Incident Reporting (PPMFR-M-201). 3. Suspected Sexual Abuse: a. When sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult is suspected or reported, Fire Rescue personnel shall contact all of the following: i. Request Law Enforcement (LE) to respond. ii. Palm Beach County Victim Services (PBCVS) Rape Crisis 24-hr Hotline 561-833- 7273 to request the Sexual Abuse Response Team (SART). iii. Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE) or complete form Online iv. Notify the EMS Captain. 4. Non-Vulnerable Adults: a. Non-vulnerable adult victims of physical or sexual assault or abuse may not wish to report to LE: i. The PBCVS can be contacted without giving any identifying information about the victim. ii. A Victim Advocate from PBCVS will be able to provide support and explain options to the victim. iii. Complete a MIH referral only with the consent of the victim. b. Physical or Sexual Abuse victims can be transported to any hospital: i. If there is any medical complaint, this is a patient. ii. All patients should be treated and transported based on their medical complaint and/or hospital preference. iii. Regarding sexual abuse, a SART member will meet the victim at any hospital. c. Evidence Preservation: i. All evidence collected shall be turned over to LE or left with the victim at the hospital. d. Documentation: i. Identify and document any items that were moved or altered during the process of patient care in the ePCR. ii. Identify and document any items left on scene by Fire Rescue personnel in the ePCR. iii. Document any comments or statements made by the patient that pertains to the sexual abuse in the ePCR. iv. Complete a MIH referral. Supersession History 1. SOG #2340, issued 07/01/2015 2. SOG 510-02, clerical 05/01/2018 3. SOG 510-02, issued 05/21/2018 4 SOG 510-02, 11/04/2022 SOG 510-02 Suspected Abused Patient Page 2 of 2