Patients have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, free of abuse and neglect as outlined in federal regulations concerning Patient s Rights. Nursing homes are not to employee individuals who have been found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating patients by a court of law or who have a confirmed finding entered into a state nurse aide registry concerning abuse. It also includes controlling behavior through corporal punishment. State Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services. State Survey Agency.
Many states have laws requiring the reporting of abuse and neglect.