Using flowcharts in policy development: reporting abuse and neglect of patients

Reports of abuse, both domestic and institutional, are increasingly common. A myriad of statutes and rules govern when and how incidents of abuse are reported. It is incumbent upon medical centers to establish policies that clearly outline the responsibility of all staff members to identify and report suspected abuse and neglect. This article presents a summary of a comprehensive hospital policy on identifying and responding to all types of suspected or witnessed abuse and neglect of patients. It also illustrates how multidisciplinary teams and flowcharts can be useful in developing and implementing policy in complicated areas that involve many players, rules, and regulations.