How do I file a complaint against a hospital?

Question

I am fed up beyond belief. See the link at the bottom to read about my mothers health, but here is what I'm fed up about.

The service at this hospital is just plain awful. I don't see how they can be a functioning hospital with some of the staff that they have. I have encountered people who are just plain ignorant. Problems with them not telling me important things I need to know. A case worker that would not work with me, do her job (and I do know for a fact that she wasn't doing it, I'm not making it up.) and called me a liar.

I am in the process of filing for disability for my mother, and we need a document from them explaining her situation and history from them. On a letterhead with a doctors signature. Really, I could write it myself but it wouldn't be seen as accurate information. Disability is a timely manner that takes awhile, and my mother is beginning to lose money over their slowness and inability to cooperate. I have called countless times today and still no answers on how soon it can be done. I understand doctors are busy people. But I actually asked for this A MONTH AGO and it was promised it would be to me within two days of that promise. Nothing.

There are countless other things I have left out that have just caused a lot of stress and problems. I have been polite in the past few months, but I cannot be polite anymore. I really need these things to get done. I have already written a letter (a mature, polite letter stating my dissatisfaction at that) to the director of the hospital about the case worker, with a response that was complete bullshit meaning she didn't care and wasn't going to do anything about it. Who is the next person I go to? A serious complaint needs to be filed against them, and I am not just saying this because I am angry (which I am. Fuming.) I am done being polite and waiting on them.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsOTEcC1b74THK49yrLy5BXsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081118101051AAbHmBt

It would take me ages to explain every bad things they have done, believe me I have left countless things out. I have already contacted the Patient Advocacy/Ombudsman program they have there. Like everyone else in that hospital, they haven't returned my calls yet, and probably won't any time soon.

And to top it all off, I have found out today that she has contracted MRSA in the time she has been there.

Answer 1

You need an attorney that specializes in such matters. Without one your dragging your feet!

Answer 2

Ok I'm very sorry about your hospital experience. I can tell you, that if I were you, I would report what has happened to the Ethics hot line. They will investigate for you and help you deal with the staff. I can also tell you, that I would also have your mother go and visit another doctor of her own, to review her and have them get her disability. The doctor can also ask the hospital for the release of her information. If I were you, I would get a lawyer involved and attempt a law suit. The only thing, your going to have to prove that what you are saying is because of negligence coming from the hospital staff. (MRSA). Just know that the hospital staff have ways of covering up the mistakes. Just don't sit on this, and make a big seen. That's the only way people start listening, they get afraid, they don't want to lose their jobs, and are afraid of being sued.

Answer 3

The first thing I would do is to see if the hospital has someone that handles stuff like this. Someone like a customer service rep. If that doesn't do anything then your second to the last step is go to the head administrator. Someone clear at the top. If all that fails then get a lawyer, tell him the whole story and tell him what you want. Lawyers are called mouthpieces for just such occasions as this.

Answer 4

don't worry brakpan hospital is most probable the worst so far as the people that are meant to help you don't care, 1 person every 1 or 2 hours to be processed what a way to go government hospitals are run by fools, who don't check there funny farm staff and then the attitude from a guy the only devil guy as others were women) meant to be on duty but mostly on his cell phone, and didn't care where is the public rights that were infringed again by these so called government employees, (he is just there for the salary that us tax people pay for nothing but to give him more time to talk on his cell phone not even to his wife I don't think ) can some one tell me where I can put a complaint that will be looked into not swept under the table. (as that is what usually happens we will look into it but yes nothing you got that right) as when we leaving all the counter people laughing and saying people should feel how they feel to work at night and sit for 2/3 hours before you even get served and only 11 maybe less people in the queue waiting to be served if this guy stopped talking on his cell phone for 30 minutes and worked when he is supposed to then the government hospitals would be fine to go to, as we pay them our tax money to get treated as animals and for them to buy airtime to talk when they did not work the money they are getting lets pay 1000 rand even that's to much for them at brakpan hospital to be paid if someone contacts me my number is 0766562152 lets see when and how long this will take for someone to have the guts from brakpan hospital to contact me.and the sick person was a 14 year old girl not even a adult

Answer 5

My mother went to a hospital for a OB/GYN infection and a nurse looked at her after being there for 4 hours and told her it looked liked it was mauled. She said there was nothing she can and to go to a dermatologist. Then the nurse said she would need a referral from her primary that takes around 2 weeks. She has tried for 2 referrals since Feb. of this year and she has talked to 2 advice nurses. One in Feb. and one last night. Both nurses said she needed to be seen within the next 24 hours. So she went to the ER. My mother checked it herself and it was fine.

Answer 6

I guess my question is do you have power of attorney and did your mother sign a HIPPA form stating they can provide you with information. If not, then maybe that is why the case worker and nurses are not providing you the information you want and why you are not getting the letter.

Answer 7

Call the Division of Aging in your state and see what they can do.

Answer 8

You need to speak to an attorney. Good Luck!

Answer 9

contact a lawyer. trust me. once you hand them a card and say "all further business or questions can be directed to my lawyer" they will start kissing your ***.