Definitions [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 461, § 12].
Del. Code tit. 16, § 5641
in effectAs used in this subchapter:
(1) “Abuse” means as defined in § 5631 of this title.
(2) “Critical incident” means an actual or alleged event resulting in the abuse, death, exploitation, neglect, restrictive intervention, or serious injury of a client.
(3) “Exploitation” means as defined in § 5631 of this title.
(4) “Incident” means an actual or alleged event that causes or has the potential to cause harm to a client. The term includes critical incidents and any of the following events:
a. Elopement, including whenever a client leaves a provider organization’s facility despite an imminent threat to the client’s health, safety, or well-being. An elopement does not include events or situations involving a competent adult with decision-making capacity who leaves against medical advice or voluntarily leaves before receiving treatment.
b. A health emergency in which a client receives emergency care not routinely provided by the client’s primary care practitioner, treating practitioners, provider organization, or a hospital admits the client.
c. The client is involved in a crime or contacted by a law-enforcement agency.
d. The client experiences an emergency at a facility where the client resides, including fire, flooding, severe property damage, unsafe conditions, or interruption of utilities lasting more than 8 hours.
(5) “Neglect” means as defined in § 5631 of this title.
(6) “Report” means a report required under § 5642 of this title.
(7) “Restrictive intervention” means as defined in § 5631 of this title.
(8) “Serious injury” means as defined in § 5631 of this title.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c056/sc05/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026