UAB Synopsis, Vol. 24, No. 7, February 28, 2005
All staff having knowledge of a patient (elder, adult, or child) with a physical injury as a result of personal violence (ie, suspicious fractures and bruises, domestic violence, gunshots, knife wounds, or sexual assault) are mandated to report it to their immediate supervisors. State law stipulates penalties, including fines and jail time, for not reporting.
It is the responsibility of the supervisors notified of the injury to contact the UAB police officer assigned to the Emergency Department (975-8148 or 934-5100). The information should include the following, if possible:
- Patient's name;
- Type of injury;
- Perpetrator;
- Method of conveyance to hospital; and
- Current location in hospital.
The UAB police officer receiving the report must forward the information to the proper authorities, to University Hospital Social Services (934-4737), and to Risk Management through the paging operator.