Occurrence Reporting Manual

Note to consumers

Board of Health regulations

Health Facilities

Occurrence Reporting Program

All healthcare facilities licensed by the department are required to report occurrences to the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division. Statutory citations for this can be found at 25-1-124 (CRS) and 25-3-109 (1),(3),(7),(8) and the regulations can be found in Chapter II, Licensing: 3.2 Reporting.

Reportable occurrences include unexplained deaths, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, life-threatening complications of anesthesia, life-threatening transfusion errors/reactions, severe burns, missing persons, physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, diverted drugs and malfunction/misuse of equipment.

Facilities must report these occurrences within one business day. The division will investigate the occurrence and determine if appropriate facility action has been taken, and then write a summary of the occurrence for public viewing. The summaries respect confidentiality and do not reflect the names of the persons involved. 

If necessary, following the investigation of the occurrence, the division will cite a deficiency if it finds that state or federal regulations have been violated. As well, division staff review occurrence reports prior to conducting annual surveys in facilities and prior to reissuing a facility's license. Occurrence reports may also be reviewed as part of a complaint investigation.

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