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)
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?
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.