How To File A Complaint Against A Nursing Home In Arizona

Family members and friends who have concerns that their loved one is suffering abuse or neglect or that their rights are being violated while residing in a nursing home can file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). They can request that the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program conduct an investigation. They can also contact an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Arizona have a duty to provide competent care for residents, including care for any physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges they may have. These facilities also have a duty to respect and comply with the specific rights of each resident as set forth by

the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. One of these rights is the right to submit grievances to the nursing home staff – and to outside representatives and agencies.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is located at 150 North 18th Avenue,

Phoenix, Arizona 85007. They operate Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can contact them directly.

Filing a nursing home complaint

Any person with knowledge or concerns about any nursing home may file a complaint in writing. Generally, the people who file complaints include the residents, family members, guardians, caring friends, staff members, other health professionals, and an ombudsman.

A complaint can be filed if you have concerns about abuse, neglect, a resident’s rights, staffing, nutrition, and environmental concerns.

You can file complaints in writing 24/7.  You can file the complaint online.

After you file your nursing home complaint, a surveyor will be assigned to investigate your complaint. The investigation generally includes reviewing the relevant records, interviewing the staff and residents, and observing the care the residents receive. The surveyor will contact the names of the people mentioned in the complaint.

An investigation may lead to conducting a “complete compliance survey.”

Your complaint with the ADHS is confidential. The AHDS will notify you and the facility about the investigation’s findings.

The Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman program

You can also file a complaint with your local Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman. This program helps vulnerable nursing home and long-term care residents when there are complaints about abuse, neglect, substandard care, or violations of the rights of residents. The Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (ALTCOP) identifies, investigates, and works to resolve complaints. The ALTCOP keeps the confidentiality of residents.

The ALTCOP “promotes and advocates for residents’ rights.” The program aims to find a resolution to any complaints. If there is no resolution, the resident can file a complaint in court with the help of our accomplished nursing home lawyers.

What are the reasons for filing a nursing home complaint in Arizona?

Family members, friends, and guardians can protect their loved ones by filing a complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services if they suspect or observe any of the following:

• Physical abuse. You can file a complaint if a resident is being punched, kicked, hit, slapped, or suffering any forceful physical contact. You can also file a complaint if the nursing home is physically or chemically restraining your loved one or intentionally not tending to their needs.
• Emotional abuse. Some of the signs of emotional abuse include withdrawal, nonparticipation in social activities, and depression.
• Sexual abuse. Complaints for sexual abuse include any unwelcome sexual contact, including assault or rape by a nursing home staff member, another resident, or anyone inside the facility.
• Residents need someone to protect them when they have bedsores, bladder or bowel disorders, falls, malnutrition, or dehydration. Neglect also includes improper administration of medications and the failure to respond quickly to the symptoms of strokes.
• Financial abuse. Protect your loved one if a staff member or someone is stealing from them, improperly pressuring them to sign over valuable assets, using their credit card information without the consent of a resident, or committing other types of financial wrongs.
• Rights violations. Residents deserve protection when nursing homes in Arizona fail to respect their right to communication with friends and family, medical care and treatment rights, quality of life rights, visits and privacy confidentiality rights, and many other rights.

Information that can help support your nursing home complaint

When you file your complaint, it helps to provide information to identify everyone involved and as much of the abuse or neglect as you can. The ADHS recommends that you provide as much information as possible, including:

• The resident’s name and address.
• The name and address of the nursing home or long-term care facility.
• The names and job positions of everyone responsible for the resident’s care.
• The dates and times of the questionable conduct.
• The type of abuse, neglect, or rights violation taking place.
• The resident’s physical, emotional, and/or cognitive symptoms – any other evidence of harm.
• Any evidence of prior complaints.
• Any internal complaints or reports.
• When, where, and how the abuse, neglect, or violation of rights took place.

Helpful supporting documents include any photographs or videos of the resident’s harm, relevant medical records, and other relevant written information.

Once you file the complaint, you should continue to observe your loved one’s health and how the nursing staff is treating your loved one.

How nursing home attorneys help file complaints

Help protect your loved one. Arizona’s agencies help ensure that there are investigations of complaints of nursing home abuse or neglect. Our Arizona lawyers help residents fight to obtain compensation when nursing homes mistreat their residents. We provide unrelenting representation for nursing home and long-term care facility residents. We have over 150 years of collective experience and 40 staff members to fight for your loved one’s health, security, and happiness.

Call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. We’re a national firm with offices in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Long Beach, Louisville, and New Orleans.