Review of Mandated Reports of Children Born with a Physical Dependence on an Addictive Drug at Lowell General Hospital

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of Lowell General Hospital covering January 1, 2014 through August 31, 2016.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, finding, and recommendation for the audit period, January 1, 2014 through August 31, 2016.”

The auditor reviewed whether the hospital followed state law requiring reports to child welfare officials when babies are born physically dependent on addictive drugs.

“This audit was conducted as part of OSA’s ongoing efforts to audit the activities of the Commonwealth’s service providers and to promote accountability, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in state contracting.”

These reports matter because babies born drug-dependent may face health, developmental, safety, abuse, or neglect risks, and state agencies need timely information to respond.

“According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), infants born with a physical dependence on an addictive drug (i.e., infants born with CDA) are at risk of a variety of medical conditions and developmental disabilities as well as abuse and neglect.”

For residents, the issue is whether vulnerable newborns are being reported quickly enough so the state can help protect and care for them.

“To help provide proper care and treatment to infants born with CDA, the Legislature enacted Section 51A of Chapter 119 of the Massachusetts General Laws.”

The audit found 12 late required reports out of 132 cases, plus missing copies or proof of delivery for many reports.

“For 12 of the 132 children who were born at Lowell General Hospital (LGH) with congenital drug addiction during our audit period, LGH did not send required reports to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) within the 48-hour timeframe required by Section 51A of Chapter 119 of the Massachusetts General Laws.”

The auditor recommended stronger hospital oversight so required reports are completed, kept, sent on time, and documented.

“LGH should establish proper oversight controls to ensure that all mandated reporters on its staff complete, retain, and send copies of all Section 51A reports within the prescribed timeframes and that it retains proper documentation to substantiate that reports have been submitted to DCF.”

The main significance is accountability: without complete records, the hospital cannot prove it is consistently meeting child-protection reporting duties.

“Without accurate and complete records, LGH cannot properly oversee its Section 51A reporting process.”

A mandated reporter is a worker, such as certain hospital staff, who must report suspected child abuse or neglect; CDA means congenital drug addiction, referring here to babies born physically dependent on addictive drugs.

“The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state agency that is responsible for investigating mandated reports of infants born with congenital drug addiction (CDA).”