A written report shall contain the following information where applicable: (i) the name and gender of the patient or resident; (ii) the home address of the patient; (iii) the name and address of the facility in which the resident resides; (iv) the name and address of the home health agency or hospice program; (v) the age of the patient or resident, if known to the reporter; (vi) the name and address of the reporter and where such reporter may be contacted; (vii) any information relative to the nature and extent of the abuse, mistreatment or neglect or the misappropriation of patient or resident property; (viii) if known to the reporter, any information relative to prior abuse, mistreatment or neglect of such patient or resident or misappropriation of such patient's or resident's property; (ix) the circumstances under which the reporter became aware of the abuse, mistreatment or neglect or misappropriation of property; (x) if known to the reporter, whatever action, if any, was taken to treat or otherwise assist the patient or resident; (xi) any other information which the reporter believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of such abuse, mistreatment or neglect or misappropriation of property and the person or persons responsible therefor; and (xii) such other information as may be required by the department.
Any privilege established by section 20 or section 20B of chapter 233, by court decision or by professional code relating to the exclusion of confidential communications and the competency of witnesses may not be invoked in any civil action arising out of a report made pursuant to this section.
For the purposes of this section, the term ''written report'' shall include, without limitation, an electronically transmitted report and facsimile.