REPORTABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT

Report It Now

Your compassion while serving our members is invaluable to their experience, but so are your observations. Reportable Event Management (REM) is one important component of an overall approach for ensuring the health, safety, individual freedom and quality of life of members in HCBS and ICF/IID services.

Learn More on DDA Website

Medical provider working on laptop computer

A boy with special needs in classroom with an assistant

PROGRAMS

Serving LTSS programs

Situations where members are at some sort of risk require you to Report It Now. When you call attention to these issues, they can be addressed, which helps keep the members you serve safe. Documenting the risk also helps protect you if there's ever a question in the future. Remember to Report It Now when serving members in these groups:

CHOICES
BlueCare Plus CHOICE Groups 2 and 3
Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES Groups 4-8
Katie Beckett Part A (only for services related to Home and Community Based Services)
SelectCommunity
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID)
1915(c) Waiver Providers

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR REPORTABLE EVENTS

Reportable events and interventions

Reportable events are classified by Tier 1, Tier 2 and Additional Reportable Events and Interventions. They all require you to report discovery immediately and to submit an electronic Reportable Event Form located at: https://stateoftennessee-cvlyz.formstack.com/forms/ref.

The information at the links below will help you, and your staff, identify and handle reportable events on a timely basis:

Back to Topics

Reportable Event Management Tier 1

What's the definition of an REM Tier 1 Reportable Event?
When a Tier 1 Reportable Event is identified, report it immediately to DDA's Abuse Hotline, but no later than 4 hours after the occurrence or discovery of the event.
An REM Tier 1 Reportable Event is the alleged wrongful conduct affecting a person by acts or omissions of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of money or property, that resulted in one or more of the following consequences to the person: death, serious injury, or physical harm; physical or sexual abuse; significant pain, intimidation or mental anguish that required medical intervention, loss of funds or property greater than $1,000 in value, or missing prescription controlled medication with a replacement value greater than $1,000.
What's considered an REM Tier 1 Reportable Event?
REM Tier 1 Reportable Events include:
Alleged emotional/psychological abuse when medical treatment or intervention is necessary
Alleged exploitation of a person supported when medical treatment or intervention is necessary
Alleged financial exploitation exceeding $1,000
Alleged neglect when medical treatment or intervention is necessary and all neglect that's potentially felonious in nature when there isn't an injury
Alleged physical abuse when medical treatment or intervention is necessary
Alleged sexual abuse
Death - unexpected and/or unexplained
Serious injury of unknown cause
Suspicious injury in which abuse or neglect is suspected and medical treatment or an intervention is necessary

Loading component...

What's the timeframe to report an REM Tier 1 Reportable Event?
Timelines are based on the date and time of the event or discovery of the event regardless of whether it was discovered by you or BlueCare Tennessee.
Tier 1 Reportable Events must be reported to DDA's Abuse Hotline as soon as possible, but no later than 4 hours after the occurrence or discovery of the event.
The Provider Event Management Coordinator (EMC) or designee must submit a Reportable Event Form (REF) to DDA electronically here as soon as possible, but no later than the close of the next business day.
DDA will be responsible for conducting a complete investigation of the event within 30 calendar days. A Final Investigative Report will be provided to BlueCare Tennessee and the provider.

Loading component...

Back to Topics

Reportable Event Management Tier 2

What's the definition of an REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?
A Tier 2 Reportable Event is the alleged wrongful conduct affecting the person by acts or omissions of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of money or property, that resulted in one or more of the following consequences to the person: intimidation or mental anguish; probable risk of serious harm; loss of funds or property between $250 and $1,000 in value or prescription-controlled medications with a replacement of less than $1,000; or, through supervision neglect harming a citizen in the community or engaging in criminal acts resulting in arrest and confinement. The person didn't require medical intervention/treatment and isn't at continued risk of serious harm.

Loading component...

What's considered an REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?
Tier 2 Reportable Events include the following:
Alleged emotional/psychological abuse when no medical treatment or an intervention is necessary, crisis services intervention isn't required, and the Person Supported isn't at continued risk of serious harm
Alleged exploitation of a Person Supported when no medical treatment or an intervention is necessary
Alleged financial exploitation valued between $250 and $1,000
Alleged neglect when no medical treatment or intervention is necessary and the Person Supported isn't at continued risk of serious harm
Alleged physical abuse when no medical treatment or an intervention is necessary and the Person Supported isn't at continued risk of serious harm
Suspicious injury in which abuse or neglect is suspected but no medical treatment or an intervention is necessary

Loading component...

What is the timeframe to report a REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?
Timelines are based on the date and time of the event or discovery of the event regardless of whether it was discovered by you or BlueCare Tennessee.
The Provider Event Management Coordinator (EMC) or designee must submit a Reportable Event Form (REF) to DDA electronically here as soon as possible, but no later than the close of the next business day.
Providers are responsible for conducting investigations of Tier 2 Reportable Events, excluding allegations of physical abuse. Providers must submit an investigation report utilizing the Provider Investigation Report Form (PIRF) to DDA and BlueCare Tennessee within 25 calendar days of the assignment/opening of the investigation.

Loading component...

Back to Topics

Reportable Behavioral/Psychiatric & Medical Events

What is a Reportable Behavioral Event?
A Reportable Behavioral Event is an event in which a person presents a challenging action(s) that requires use of a behavior safety intervention or a restrictive behavioral procedure.
An REF is required within one business day for an event in which a person presents a challenging action(s) that requires use of a behavior safety intervention or a restrictive behavioral procedure that isn't captured as an appropriate response in a plan(s) of care (PCSP, BSP, Behavioral Health Plan of Care) that pertains to that person. If the use of a behavior safety intervention or a restrictive behavioral procedure is captured as an appropriate response in the person's plan of care, a consolidated REF will be submitted monthly by the Event Management Coordinator.
The Provider Reportable Event Review Team (PRERT) is required to review all Reportable Behavioral Events at least monthly to ensure the utilization of behavior interventions is appropriate and performed correctly. Reportable Behavioral Events include Reportable Psychiatric Events.

Loading component...

What is a Reportable Psychiatric Event?

Loading component...

What kind of events are considered behavioral/psychiatric?
Reportable Behavioral/Psychiatric Events include:
Behavioral crisis requiring crisis intervention
Behavioral crisis requiring emergency psychotropic medication
Behavioral crisis requiring protective equipment, manual or mechanical restraints, regardless of type or time used or approved by plan of care (all takedowns or prone restraints are prohibited)
Criminal conduct or probable criminal conduct
Engagement with law enforcement
Physical aggression
Property destruction exceeding $100
Psychiatric admission (for observation), including in an acute care hospital
Reportable behavior involving physical aggression and/or self-injurious behavior resulting in injury to another person (housemate, staff, private citizen/other)
Self-injurious behavior which results in an injury that requires assessment and treatment beyond basic first aid that can be administered by a lay person
Sexual aggression
Suicide attempt

Loading component...

What is a Reportable Medical Event?

Loading component...

What kind of events are considered medical?
Reportable Medical Events include:
Cellulitis
Choking episode requiring medical intervention (abdominal thrust, back blows, or Heimlich maneuver)
Deaths (other than those that are unexpected/unexplained)
Fecal impaction
Flu
Insect or animal bite requiring medical treatment by a medical professional
MRSA
Pneumonia
Pressure Ulcer/Decubitus Ulcer
Seizure progressing to status epilepticus
Sepsis
Serious injury of known cause
Severe allergic reaction requiring medical treatment by a medical professional
Severe dehydration requiring medical treatment by a medical professional
Skin infection (other than cellulitis and MRSA)
UTI
Other (please explain on REF)

Loading component...

What's the timeframe to report Reportable Behavioral/Psychiatric and/or Medical Events?
Timelines are based on the date and time of the event or discovery of the event regardless of whether it was discovered by you or BlueCare Tennessee.
The Provider Event Management Coordinator (EMC) or designee must submit a Reportable Event Form (REF) to DDA electronically here as soon as possible, but no later than the close of the next business day.
Providers are responsible for performing data collection and analysis for all Reportable Events and Interventions.

Loading component...

Back to Topics

Other Reportable Events and Interventions

What is the definition of Other Reportable Event and Event Interventions?

Loading component...

What kind of events are considered an Other Reportable Event?
Other Reportable Events include:
Administration of routine psychotropic medication without consent
Emergency situations including fire, flooding and serious property damage, that result in harm or risk of harm to persons supported
Enabling technology remote supports: failure to implement emergency back-up plans
Falls with injury
Medication variance and omission
Missing person (greater than one hour)
Unsafe environment
Vehicle accident - minor (while transporting person not resulting in an injury; treatable by a lay person) and serious (while transporting person resulting in medical intervention and treatment)
Victim of fire

Loading component...

What's considered an Event Intervention?
Admission/Discharge
Incarceration admission
Incarceration discharge
Crisis Services
911 call
EMT
ER visit with treatment
Fire department
Mobile crisis services
Police
Urgent care facility with treatment
Additional Interventions
Abdominal thrust/back blows/Heimlich Maneuver
Administration of PRN psychotropic medication
Automated external defibrillator (AED)/CPR
Manual restraint (regardless of type, time used, or approved by PCSP)
Mechanical restraint (regardless of type, time used, or approved by PCSP)
Protective equipment (regardless of type, time used, or approved by PCSP)
X-ray (to rule out fracture)

Loading component...

What is the timeframe to report Other Reportable Events and Event Interventions?
Timelines are based on the date and time of the event or the discovery of the event regardless of whether it was discovered by you or BlueCare Tennessee.
The Provider Event Management Coordinator (EMC) or designee must submit a Reportable Event Form (REF) to DDA electronically here as soon as possible, but no later than the close of the next business day.
Providers are responsible for performing data collection and analysis for all Other Reportable Events and Interventions.

Loading component...

Back to Topics

Aligned Death Review Process

What is the Aligned Death Review Process?
In addition to completing and submitting an electronic Reportable Event Form for a Tier 1 Unexpected/Unexplained Death and a Reportable Medical Death (other than those that are unexpected/unexplained), providers are expected to adhere to the Aligned Death Review Protocol. For more detailed information regarding the Aligned Death Review Process, please visit DDA’s website and enter "Aligned Death Review Process" in the search bar. This process doesn’t apply to CHOICES members.
There must be a systematic review of the death of a member who was receiving one of the following services at the time of death: 1915(c) Waiver services, Katie Beckett Part A, Employment and Community First CHOICES and/or services through an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. This review will identify the cause of death, any circumstances and/or factors which contributed to the death and any preventive measures which would improve supports and services for members moving forward. This systematic reporting and review member deaths provides identification of any trends and patterns that indicate needed service and/or systemic changes. It also provides ongoing evaluation to ensure corrective actions are being implemented and systemic changes are effective in reducing risk to members.

Loading component...

What are the requirements?
Providers are required to submit a completed Notice of Death Form to BlueCare Tennessee and DDA as soon as possible but no later than the close of the next business day after becoming aware of the death of the member.
Providers of residential services are also required to initiate an Initial Agency Death Review immediately but no more than 24 hours after becoming aware of the death of a member. Residential providers are required to submit a completed Initial Agency Death Review Form to BlueCare Tennessee and DDA as soon as possible but no later than five business days after becoming aware of the death of a member.

Loading component...

Reportable Event Management Contact Information

BlueCare Tennessee

Fax: 1-855-472-0156 (Only if email is not available.) ReportableEvents@bcbst.com

Loading component...

DDA

Electronic REF Submissions: https://stateoftennessee-cvlyz.formstack.com/forms/ref

Fax: 1-877-551-5591

Abuse Hotline for reporting Tier 1 Reportable Events: 1-888-633-1313 DDA.ReportableEvents@tn.gov

Loading component...

Adult Protective Services

Phone: 1-888-277-8366

Online: https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov

Loading component...

Child Protective Services

Phone: 1-877-237-0004

Online: https://apps.tn.gov/carat

REPORTABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT

PROGRAMS

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR REPORTABLE EVENTS

BlueCare Tennessee

Loading component...

DDA

Loading component...

Adult Protective Services

Loading component...

Child Protective Services

Loading component...

What's considered an REM Tier 1 Reportable Event?

What's the timeframe to report an REM Tier 1 Reportable Event?

What's the definition of an REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?

What's considered an REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?

What is the timeframe to report a REM Tier 2 Reportable Event?

What is a Reportable Behavioral Event?

What is a Reportable Psychiatric Event?

What kind of events are considered behavioral/psychiatric?

What is a Reportable Medical Event?

What kind of events are considered medical?

What's the timeframe to report Reportable Behavioral/Psychiatric and/or Medical Events?

What is the definition of Other Reportable Event and Event Interventions?

What kind of events are considered an Other Reportable Event?

What's considered an Event Intervention?

What is the timeframe to report Other Reportable Events and Event Interventions?

What is the Aligned Death Review Process?

What are the requirements?

BlueCare Tennessee

DDA

Adult Protective Services

Child Protective Services

Loading component...