Mission Statement

"We are devoted to providing consulting and educational programs in Elopement Prevention Technologies, Elopement Policies/Assessments, and the Writing of Elopement Response Plans"

The National Institute for Elopement Prevention and Resolution (NIEPR) was founded in 2001.  At that time there was very limited help for those dealing with patients/residents or loved ones at risk for elopement.  This Institute was developed to assist and educate Long Term Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Health Care facilities and families caring for those who suffer from illnesses that debilitate and diminish the individual’s ability to care for themselves (which can lead to elopements).  We recognize that many illnesses, medical conditions, and medication reactions can cause an individual to elope from the care-giving environment. 

Attempting to prevent elopements is an essential part of patient/resident safety.  Our organization works hard to educate facilities in developing a layered or tiered system for protecting their residents/patients.  The total system must include policies, care-plans, resident/patient and facility assesment, elopement prevention technologies, staff education and training, and the elopement response plan for when an elopement occurs.  They must also be aware of the Federal and State requirements to include appendix Q (attachment C) and the new combined F 323 Tag.  Finally, we are active in promoting the development of new and better technology to help monitor those at risk for elopement while maintaining the maximum therapeutic environment.

While all professional facilities should do everything possible to attempt to prevent elopements, it is a common misconception that all elopements can be prevented.

For elopements that will occur, a high quality Elopement Response Plan is a must for every facility and family caring for those at-risk.  This plan must be easy to use, comprehensive, efficient (to prevent diminished level of care for current patients/residents when an elopement occurs), and provide complete documentation of the incident.  It must be practiced, evaluated, and updated on a regular basis.

Currently, Elopement is ranked number 11 on the JCAHO list of Sentinel Events. Facilities across the nation are being fined by State surveyors and litigated out of existence (10% of all litigation against Long Term Care facilities involve an elopement).  In DE, a Jury awarded $13 million dollars in compensatory damages against a Long Term Care facility for a single elopement incident!  While according to CNA the average out-of-court settlement in 2009 is $393,650.00.  This is all happening at a time when the need for inpatient long term care and assisted living continues to grow.