Escalation must follow the patient's orders and agency policy; the following are representative thresholds.
🚩 Red flags — escalate
A caregiver breakdown that leaves the patient unsafe — urgent coordination of additional support and a contingency plan.
Indicators of abuse, neglect, or exploitation — mandated reporting per state law and agency policy, coordinated through Safety, with safety planning.
A social crisis threatening safety — imminent housing loss, no food or utilities, or no access to medications — urgent resource coordination.
A patient in psychological crisis or expressing risk — immediate safety response through the Psychiatric / Mental Health pathway (988 and emergency services).
A caregiver in crisis or with a health emergency that removes the patient's only support — urgent coordination.
Complete social isolation with an inability to meet basic needs — urgent coordination of support.
