Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates
Attn: All Regulated Health Care Providers
This notice is a reminder to providers regulated by the Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) that caregiver background check requirements and misconduct reporting requirements remain in effect during the COVID-19 emergency.
Caregiver Background Checks
Background checks required under ch. DHS 12 remain in effect as crucial safety measures during the COVID-19 emergency. Providers must complete caregiver background checks for employees and contractors—including emergency nurse aides—and certain volunteers and students, who are under the provider’s control, and who have regular, direct contact with clients (this may include housekeeping, maintenance, dietary and administrative staff).
Access the Caregiver Background Check Process webpage for information on completing background checks.
Misconduct Reporting
Requirements under ch. DHS 13 to report allegations of caregiver abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of client property also remain in effect during the COVID-19 emergency. The DQA Office of Caregiver Quality continues to work with providers, DQA regional offices, county adult protective services, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice to protect vulnerable clients and residents from intentional harm.
Providers should access the Misconduct Incident Reporting (MIR) system to report abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of client property by caregivers. A link to access the MIR system can be found on the Department’s Caregiver Misconduct Reporting and Investigating Requirements web page.
Questions
If you have questions about either caregiver background checks or misconduct reporting, please email the Office of Caregiver Quality.
