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Concerns about the quality of healthcare delivery in hospitals can be reported to the quality assurance department in the hospital and to outside agencies.    In Kentucky Healthcare Workers making a report have legal protection under the law (KRS 216B.165) --
       View KY Quality Assurance Laws        Whistleblower Protection Act

A guide for documenting and reporting patient abuse and neglect in nursing homes (but is also  applicable to other healthcare facilities) is available from the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.   Download "A Guide For Taking Action Against Abuse and Neglect".

I.  The State's Office of Inspector General.   In Kentucky, this office will contact you with the results and all results can be obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.  Reports can be made confidentiality which will protect the identity of the person making the report.

Contact information can be found at:  http://chfs.ky.gov/oig/oigcontacts.htm

In Kentucky EVERYONE must report adult or child abuse and neglect to the Division of Community Based Services. 

For Adult Abuse and Neglect:  http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/facs.htm

Child Protection Hotline: http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/Child_Safety.htm

II.  Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations:    This is a non-profit agency which accredits most hospitals.  Loss of accreditation will result in a loss of Medicare and Medicaid funding.   
         The Joint Commission does not release their complete findings
              --See letter. 
         Website: http://www.jcaho.org/

Complaints may be filed at  http://www.jointcommission.org/GeneralPublic/Complaint/ 

E-Mail:      complaint@jcaho.org

Fax:          Office of Quality Monitoring  (630) 792-5636

Snail Mail:   Office of Quality Monitoring
                  Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
                  One Renaissance Boulevard
                  Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Quality Incident Report Form:  http://www.jcaho.org/general+public/public+input/report+a+complaint
/qi_report_form+_2.doc