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Regulations: Reporting of Client, Patient, or Resident Death

Reporting requirements

Under Wisconsin statutes, a program or facility must report the death of a client, patient, or resident to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) if there is cause to believe the death was related to:

  • The use of a physical restraint or seclusion.
  • The use of one or more psychotropic medications.
  • A suspected suicide.

Report within 24 hours

DHS must receive notification within 24 hours of the death or learning of the death of a client, patient, or resident.

Complete and submit the form

Before completing F-62470, prepare the information described below. You will be able to select the sections on the form to view the information requested.

You will be required to provide the following information:

  • Deceased Information: First/last name, sex, ethnicity, date of birth, date of death, date of admission
  • Provider Information: Agency/clinic/facility name, certification/license number, provider address, provider county, provider type
  • Death Determination Information
    • Suicide
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident was having suicidal thoughts during the last month?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident made any suicide threats or statements during the last month?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident made a suicide attempt in the past year?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident gave away personal possessions within the last month?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident was found in a position or circumstance which might indicate the death was due to suicide; e.g., hanging, drowning, drug overdose, asphyxiation (being found in a car with the engine running), fall from a bridge or down stairs, a self-inflicted wound, a single car accident with good road conditions, self-immolation (burning)?
    • Psychotropic Medication
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident was on three or more psychotropic medications?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident was on two or more psychotropic medications in the same class?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the physician discontinued a psychotropic medication within the last 30 days?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident refused psychotropic medications within the last 30 days?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident changed to a different psychotropic medication within the last 30 days?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident's medical/psychiatric condition changed in the last 30 days, based on observed symptoms and behaviors?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident received any drug(s) to which he/she has a known allergy or adverse drug reaction as documented in their record within the last 30 days?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that the client/patient/resident presented any signs which would indicate the possibility of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
      • Do you, the provider, have knowledge that a psychotropic medication was given with no valid diagnosis for the drug?
    • Physical Restraints and Seclusion
      • Did the client/patient/resident die while in restraint or seclusion?
      • Did the restraint/seclusion have a direct relationship to the client/patient/resident's death?
      • Did the client/patient/resident sustain any injury while in restraint or seclusion?
      • Was the client/patient/resident in a prone position when a physical restraint was used?
  • Reporting Information
    • Reporter's name, title, email, phone, address
    • Have you previously reported this death to the Department of Health Services? If yes, you will also be asked to provide the name and phone number of the person you reported to as well as the date you reported the death.
    • Is there a person in your agency who was involved in the client/patient/resident case who might have more information about the death (e.g., therapist, manager, social worker)? If yes, you will also be asked to provide the name, title, email, and phone number for the person.
    • Was this death reported to the coroner/medical examiner (ME)? If yes, you will also be asked to provide the name, phone number, and county for the coroner/ME.
    • How did you (e.g., the provider) learn of the death?
    • When did you (e.g., the provider) learn of the death?
    • Cause of death known? If yes, you will be asked to provide a description.
    • Provide a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the death. You may attach a copy of progress notes or other documentation that provides additional information used to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the death was due to the use of physical restraints/seclusion, psychotropic medication, or suicide.
    • You are able to upload up to 10 supporting documents if needed.

To notify DHS, complete the Reportable Death Determination, F-62470 form. Submitting the form will automatically send an email to dhsdqadeathreporting@dhs.wisconsin.gov. A copy of the completed form will also be sent to the email you provide when filling out the form.

This form includes guidelines to help you determine if the death is a reportable death, such as:

  • The types of providers required to report a death.
  • General information and death determination guidelines.

Learn more

For specific reporting requirements, go to:

Report deaths to other agencies

The following applies to hospitals, including rehabilitation or psychiatric distinct part units in critical access hospitals.

In accordance with 42 CFR 482.13(g), all patient deaths associated with restraint or seclusion in a hospital are required to be reported to the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Regional Office. Exception: Use of 2-point soft wrist restraints that must be recorded in an internal hospital log or other system.

Use electronic form CMS-10455 to report a death. Paper versions of the form are not accepted. For help using the electronic form, refer to the CMS memo QSOG-20-04-Hospital-CAH DPU (PDF).

Questions? Call CMS Chicago Region Office at 312-353-9804.

Note: A death in the following settings must be reported to DHS via the Reportable Death Determination, F-62470 if there is reasonable cause to believe the death was related to the use of restraint/seclusion, psychotropic medications, or was a suicide:

In accordance with 42 CFR 418.110(p), a hospice must report restraint or seclusion deaths directly to the CMS Office of the Regional Administrator, Chicago Regional Office at 312-886-6432.

The hospice must report:

  • Each unexpected death that occurs while a patient is in restraint or seclusion.
  • Each unexpected death that occurs within 24 hours after the patient has been removed from restraint or seclusion.
  • Each death known to the hospice that occurs within one week after restraint or seclusion where it is reasonable to assume that use of restraint or placement in seclusion contributed directly or indirectly to a patient's death.

A death that is related to a psychotropic medications, physical restraint or seclusion, or is a suicide must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). Complete the following forms:

Find these forms at Child Welfare Licensed Facility Forms and Publications.

For more information, refer to DCF's Child Welfare Licensing Series Memo 2017 - 04L, Reporting Serious Incidents (Re-issued) (PDF).

Take action to prevent suicide

Zero Suicide is a system-wide, organization commitment to safer suicide care in health and behavioral health systems. The Zero Suicide Toolkit is a detailed guide to Zero Suicide implementation and strategy. You also can attend a Zero Suicide training.

Resources and organizations

Evidence-based tools

Evidence-based treatments

Safer care transitions

Contact us

Questions? Email dhsdqadeathreporting@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Glossary

 
Last revised June 10, 2025