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Appendix IV: Decision-Making Trees – If the Client Dies

APS August 2021

This appendix summarizes the steps that an APS specialist takes if a client dies during an APS case. For details, see 11000 Death of a Client.

The following abbreviations are used in this appendix:

  • A/N – abuse or neglect.
  • AP – alleged perpetrator.
  • EMR – Employee Misconduct Registry.
  • INV – investigation.
  • UTD/INC – unable to determine or inconclusive.

Accessible text-only version (covers both diagrams)

Diagram for Death During Investigation Stage (see text-only version below)

Diagram for Death During Service Stage (see text-only version below)

Text-Only Version of Decision-Making Trees – If the Client Dies

The client dies during an open APS case.

Which stage is the case in?

Investigation Stage

Service Delivery Stage (Maintenance or Intensive Case Services)

Investigation Stage

Are there allegations involving an AP?

  • If yes, see Allegations Involving an AP.
  • If no, can a disposition be reached with the available evidence?
    • If yes, complete all documentation, enter appropriate disposition(s), and select UTD/INC as the Reason for Death. Then, close case.
    • If no, enter Other for the disposition(s) and select UTD/INC as the Reason for Death. Then, close case.

Allegations Involving an AP

Is it possible that the AP may have contributed to the client’s death?

AP May Have Contributed to Client’s Death

AP Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

AP May Have Contributed to Client’s Death

Continue the investigation according to policy.

Did the AP’s actions contribute to the client’s death?

  • If yes, enter Valid for the allegation that contributed to the death, mark the Fatal checkbox, and select Related to A/N as the Reason for Death. Refer to EMR if appropriate and close case.
  • If no, enter the appropriate disposition(s) and select Not Related to A/N as the Reason for Death. Refer to EMR if appropriate and close case.
  • If unknown, enter the appropriate disposition(s) and select UTD/INC as the Reason for Death. Refer to EMR if appropriate and close case.
AP Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

Is the AP eligible for the EMR? (See 14410 EMR Eligibility.)

AP Is EMR-Eligible and Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

AP Is Not EMR-Eligible and Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

AP Is EMR-Eligible and Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

Continue the investigation according to policy. (The AP’s actions did not contribute to the client’s death.)

Then, enter the appropriate disposition(s) and select Not Related to A/N as the Reason for Death. Refer to EMR if appropriate and close case.

AP Is Not EMR-Eligible and Did Not Contribute to Client’s Death

Can a disposition be reached with the available evidence?

  • If yes, complete all documentation, enter appropriate disposition(s), and select UTD/INC as the Reason for Death. Then, close case.
  • If no, enter Other for the disposition(s) and select UTD/INC as the Reason for Death. Then, close case.

Service Delivery Stage

Were there (or are there now) allegations involving an AP?

If no, follow policy for when the client dies of self-neglect, natural causes, or an accident. See 11100 Death Is Related to Natural Causes, an Accident, or Self-Neglect During a Service Delivery.

If yes, is it possible that the AP may have contributed to the client’s death?

  • If no, follow policy for when the client dies of self-neglect, natural causes, or an accident.
  • If yes, was the allegation that may have contributed to the death investigated during the INV stage?
    • If no, follow policy for new allegations and create a new intake.
    • If yes, was the allegation validated?

Validated During Investigation

Not Validated During Investigation

Validated During Investigation

Was the client’s death related to a new incident of an allegation already validated in the INV stage?

  • If yes, complete a new investigation of the allegation and document it in the service stage.
  • If no, the client’s death may have been related to ongoing neglect or a single incident of abuse that ultimately resulted in the client’s death during the service delivery stage. Did the AP’s actions contribute to the client’s death?
    • If yes, request a data correction to indicate which allegation needs to be marked as Fatal in the INV stage.
    • If no, enter Reason for Death and Date of Death and close the case.

Not Validated During Investigation

Complete a new investigation of the allegation and document it in the service stage.

Did the AP’s actions contribute to the client’s death?

  • If yes, request a data correction to indicate which allegation needs to be marked as Valid and Fatal in the INV stage.
  • If no, enter Reason for Death and Date of Death and close the case.

 

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