You are seeing an 84-year-old demented woman who is brought from a local nursing home for a feeding tube change. She has multiple deep bedsores and appears malnourished. You notice several bruises on her face and back. You suspect this may be elder abuse, so legally you are required to:
Ask the patient if she is abused and call the police if she answers affirmatively.
+Call the police to arrest the nursing home manager.
+Consult social services or case management.
+Do nothing, especially if the patient denies abuse.
+Admit the patient and file a report with the state department of health and human services.
Laws have been enacted that pertain to the reporting and investigation of elder abuse in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In 46 of the states, physicians are mandated to file a report if they know or reasonably suspect that elder abuse has occurred. Many states grant immunity to reporting physicians. Most state laws include a penalty for failure to report.