Spotlight on Prevention: Best Practices for Body Checks
www.justicecenter.ny.gov
AGENCY CONSIDERATIONS
POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Review policies and procedures to ensure they provide clear guidance on how and when to complete body checks. Ensure policies address the importance of preserving the dignity and rights of people receiving services during this process. Provide staff practical guidance on how to respond if a person does not agree to undergo a body check. Address requirements for photographing marks or injuries and provide guidance for staff to use agency issued equipment for taking or transmitting photographs of people receiving services.
MEDICAL CARE
Train all staff to access nursing supports or other medical care such as a primary care physician or urgent care if needed when marks or injuries are discovered during the body check process. Provide training to staff on signs and symptoms of illness to assist staff in recognizing marks, bruises, or injuries that require medical attention.
FORMS
Use a body check form that has clear directions for completing and documenting the body check. Ensure the form instructs staff to answer questions and fill in blanks to capture as much information as possible. Structure the form to record whether marks or injuries are new or previously noted, the worsening or healing of previously identified marks or injuries, and whether a whole or partial body check was completed. Include a space on the form for staff to describe their findings.
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