Facility responsibility to post notice on reporting abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and misappropriation

Certain healthcare facilities must post reporting notices in public areas. Learn about the notice requirements for nursing homes, rest homes, inpatient hospice facilities, home health agencies, and hospice agencies.

Nursing homes, rest homes, and inpatient hospice facilities

Every nursing home, rest home, and inpatient hospice facility operating in Massachusetts must post a notice with information on the Patient Abuse Law, the Patient Abuse Regulations at 105 CMR 155, and the procedure for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation to the Department of Public Health. This notice must be posted in a conspicuous location on each floor accessible to residents, patients, or the public.

Home health and hospice agencies

Every home health or hospice agency operating in Massachusetts must post a notice with information on the Patient Abuse Law, the Patient Abuse Regulations at 105 CMR 155, and the procedure for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation to the Department of Public Health. This notice must be posted in the agency office, in a conspicuous location accessible to staff and the public.

Required size and content of the notice

Size

The notice provided must be at least 8.5 by 11 inches, and in size 12 font or larger.

Language

The notice provided must be posted in the languages commonly used by staff, the residents and patients of the facility or agency, and their families.

Content

The notice provided must include, at a minimum, the following content:

Patients, Families, Visitors, Advocates

Are you aware of any instances of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of a patient, or misappropriation of a patient's property?  The Massachusetts Patient Abuse Law at MGL Chapter 111, sections 72F-72L, and 105 CMR 155.000 prohibit abuse, neglect, mistreatment and misappropriation in nursing homes and rest homes, and hospice and home health agencies.

If so, you are encouraged to report these conditions to the Administrator of this agency and to:

Write or Fax
Complaint Unit
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification
67 Forest Street
Marlborough, MA 01752

Fax number: [phone]
DPH Hotline: [phone]

Employees & persons paid to provide care

You are required by the Patient Abuse Statute (M.G.L. c.111, 72G) to report whenever you have reasonable cause to believe there has been an instance of resident or patient abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation of a resident’s or patient's property. You must report any suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation to your supervisor or administrator as specified in reporting policy adopted by your employer. If you believe your employer has failed to pass on your report to the Department, you may report your concerns directly to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health using the phone number, fax number, or address above.