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How to report an incident to the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services

1. Immediately

Notify BSAS orally of the incident (unless the incident was a patient death that was unrelated to another reportable circumstance.)

2. Within one business day

To report a patient death, complete and fax a Report of Death of Person in Treatment to 617-624-5395.

For all other reportable incidents, complete and fax a Required Notification Form to 617-624-5395. Include any internal investigations/reports, even if preliminary, with the form. If the internal investigation/report is still being conducted, provide a timeline of when you expect to submit the information.


Tips:

  • If you are reporting a condition that poses a threat to the health or safety of clients or staff (e.g. fire hazards or loss of essential services), consult with BSAS whether you should interrupt or suspend services.
  • If a report of abuse/neglect was made to the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Elder Affairs, or the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, you should also notify BSAS immediately of the fact that this report was made

Resources

BSAS Forms
Laws: 105 CMR §§ 164.035(G)–(I),

Contact

Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108-4609
Phone: 617-624-5111
Fax: 617-624-5395
BSAS Website


We hope these instructions helped you meet this reporting requirement. Be aware that this action may not fulfill all applicable reporting requirements associated with the event.

This document is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute regulatory guidance or legal advice. Links and information in this document may be outdated. The Betsy Lehman Center does not represent or warrant that this information is accurate, complete, or current. For further terms and conditions, see the Terms of Use.

The Patient Safety Navigator is provided by the Betsy Lehman Center for informational purposes. You cannot submit adverse event reports or other data through the Navigator. Your use of the Navigator will not be monitored, and no data will be collected beyond what is explicitly noted in the Website Privacy Statement. Although the Betsy Lehman Center intends to maintain the Navigator’s contents, we cannot guarantee that the information will be accurate, complete, or up-to-date at all times. You should be aware that regulations and reporting systems are subject to change without our knowledge or could be interpreted differently by the agencies that oversee them. By using the Navigator, you agree that you are solely responsible for determining any reporting obligations applicable to you or your organization. For further terms and conditions, see the Terms of Use.
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