When you have a complaint about the nursing care your loved one has received, the New York State Department of Health should be notified; it, along with Nursing Homes and ICF/IID Surveillance, are responsible for investigating any complaints that patients or their families have within the state as long as the complaint is about a violation of a state or federal regulation.
How should you handle a nursing home complaint?
Start by writing down the complaint and giving it to the Department of Health. You can do this online using a Nursing Home Complaint Form or call the Nursing Home Complaint hotline provided by the state.
What happens when the complaint is received?
When complaints are received, the DofH looks at them and takes appropriate action. Investigations that take place could involve reviewing medical records, interviewing families, patients, or employees, or going onsite to review the nursing home itself. Some other kinds of investigations may be performed by the Complaint Resolution Unit, which uses clinical professionals who can identify problems in the case. This investigation determines if the facility violated state or federal guidelines and can result in citations for the nursing home.
What if this didn’t take care of my concerns?
Your attorney can help. You have the right to file a lawsuit against the company if your loved one has been hurt as a result of negligence, poor care or abuse. You can present evidence against the company to court, so you can get the justice you deserve for your loved one. No one should have to go through poor care in a medical setting.
Source: New York Department of Health, “Nursing Home Complaint Investigations,” accessed June 24, 2016
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