What is the difference between a protocol investigation and a non-protocol investigation?
A protocol investigation is conducted when any type of abuse (including prohibited sexual relations), neglect, misappropriation, exploitation, or death is reported to have occurred with a consumer. Also included in protocol investigations are reports of peer-to-peer acts, rights code violations, and a staff person’s failure to report an incident. Protocol cases require formal interviews, written statements of involved parties, and a case disposition (substantiated/unsubstantiated) and usually involve a PPI (Primary Person Involved). A non-protocol investigation is conducted for “lower level cases” such as attempted suicides, missing individuals, law enforcement involvement, medical emergencies, unapproved behavior supports, hospitalizations, and known and unknown injuries. Although serious, these cases do not always warrant conducting formal interviews and obtaining written statements.
