What incident requires a report to be made to the licensing agency?

The requirement to report an incident to the licensing agency is particularly critical in the case of an individual's death. This is because the death of a person receiving support raises significant concerns about the quality of care and safety provided by the facility or service. Licensing agencies have the responsibility to ensure that providers meet their obligations regarding the health and well-being of those they serve. The occurrence of a death can trigger investigations into the circumstances surrounding it to determine if there were any violations of regulations or standards of care that contributed to the fatal outcome.

In contrast, while injuries, property damage, and staff resignations can be important incidents that warrant documentation and internal reporting within a facility, they typically do not carry the same urgency or implications for oversight as the death of an individual. Each of these situations may require different levels of response and follow-up, but reporting a death is a legal obligation that indicates a critical incident that the licensing agency must be made aware of to protect the rights and safety of all individuals receiving care.