How does an RN file a complaint?

Nurses Safety

Published

Specializes in ED.

I'm considering filing a complaint against a physician whose actions (or rather in-actions) significantly contributed to the death of a patient. I looked on my state's website for the Board of Medical Examiners and all the complaint sections seem to be patient-oriented. Does anyone know how to make a complaint as a professional or where to file it?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I would call the state medical board and get information on how to file from them. I hope that will help you some. I would also think this could be done annoymously (SP?)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

I would also file incident reports with your facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DO NOT tell your facility that you are filing a complaint with the state medical board. Hospitals do not like this and it can jeopardize your position as often hospitals get into trouble for allowing physicians to have privileges despite repeated problems.

You can file a complaint via website for your state, even if it seems more patient oriented. Just be sure to put down all releveant data - your credentials and how you are associated with the case, pt name/DOB/SS # if you have it; dates of stay at the hospital for that pt, and literally the entire story as if you were documenting a book in the chart. They may also want you to sign a notarized statement. The state medical board will generally keep your name confidential unless you ok it. Usually the only time that they ask to release your name to the doc/hospital is if it has to go to court and they need your testimony as a witness. But if you try to anonymously report the incident to the board because you don't want the board to know who you are, they are less likely to be able to act on your info. They should tell you what their usual protocol is - if they don't and you are worried about your job then ask them how they handle things. Generally once you report, if your report is accurate and well written, they can use your report on its own. If the investigator feels that your report needs some polishing up to be in accurate chronological order or to make sense, the investigator will talk to you and rewrite it so that it makes sense. The investigator will contact the doctor and the hospital for the medical records. Once they have those and review everything, the packet is sent to the board's peer review and they take things from there. You may or may not know about the findings when they are finished. Good luck and keep standing up for what is right!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
DO NOT tell your facility that you are filing a complaint with the state medical board. Hospitals do not like this and it can jeopardize your position as often hospitals get into trouble for allowing physicians to have privileges despite repeated problems.

Good luck and keep standing up for what is right!

This is a sort of a "damned if you do and damned if you dont" situation. If the hospital DOES find out that it was you who reported them, there is a strong possibilty they will retaliate against you by either firing you or making your life so miserable, you will quit. From my own personal experience in my employment lawsuit, IF you do not tell your hospital that you have made a complaint to the medical board, you may be ruining your chances of winning a potential lawsuit aginst your employer, later. The hospital will claim they had no idea you reported them , hence no motivation by them to have retaliated against you.You then will have much difficulty proving retaliation. Id say be VERY careful and do as your conscience dictates.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I discuss problems with my nurse manager, if that doesn't work I go up the ladder. I am not afraid about my job, if they fire me for being a patient advocate, they will find themselves sued.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I discuss problems with my nurse manager, if that doesn't work I go up the ladder. I am not afraid about my job, if they fire me for being a patient advocate, they will find themselves sued.
Make sure you live in a state that has a retaliation protection law, and better yet belong to a union.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
Make sure you live in a state that has a retaliation protection law, and better yet belong to a union.

opps... i meant for her, not me... sorry, but that is a good think to know thanks...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment