Abuse
Definition: The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish. Includes physical, sexual, verbal/psychological, and financial abuse.
In Practice
Nursing homes must have policies prohibiting abuse, a system for investigating allegations, and procedures for protecting residents during investigations. Substantiated abuse often results in Immediate Jeopardy citations and mandatory reporting to law enforcement. All staff must be screened against abuse registries before employment.