105. Mass. Code Regs. 155.008. - Department Investigation of Suspected Cases

“Department Investigation of Suspected Cases”
 
The Department must immediately notify the Attorney General and conduct an investigation, upon receiving an oral or written report of suspected patient or resident abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of patient or resident property.This investigation shall be conducted within 24 hours after receipt of the oral report if there is reasonable cause to believe that a patient's or resident's health or safety is in immediate danger from further abuse, neglect or mistreatment. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Department must issue a written report containing the findings and recommendations of its investigation.
 
If the Department has reasonable cause to believe that a patient or resident has died as a result of abuse, neglect or mistreatment, it shall immediately report such death to the Attorney General, the District Attorney for the county in which such death occurred, and the Medical Examiner for said county. The final reports with the department’s findings of the investigation shall be sent to the Attorney General; the reporter of the incident; the facility, home health agency, homemaker agency or hospice program involved; and the accused.