DOH investigation

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How long after a complaint is filed before the DOH starts an investigation of an ltc center? My company recently got told the DOH is doing an investigation of my facility due to a complaint, I have no idea with regards to what though. No recent complaints or incidents in the last couple months. I haven't even had an incident report filed in 60 days, it was a nice summer for us. I can't imagine what they are coming to investigate. In the past the DOH call within a week of an incident and asks for charts and report copies I'm a little confused what the complaint was all about. Could someone have filed a report months ago and the DOH is just getting around to the investigation. And why are they not asking for a specific chart?

Yes massachusetts is backed up... NECC deaths and rogue fake lab chemist for attorney general has had them a little busy. If there has been anything involving immediate harm, they are there. But we have a 9-15 month window on surveys. They are running behind.

That being said, just because the state is coming today doesn't mean the complaint is recent. It could be something from a while ago that a family has just decided to report to the state. I think dph's do have to let you know what it's about though. Mystery will be solved soon. Good luck!

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At least in Colorado, if it is a complaint survey, they have I think ten days to open the survey from the time they receive the complaint. They have to tell you what the complaint is, but they may not tell you who made the complaint.

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Yeah, I know in general you could complain any time but I just never see that happening. Personally, I have never made a complaint about something months later. never had that happen with doh reports either. Also, it's kinda odd, I thought the doh did investigations on site for all injuries and centennial (spelling, writing these on a phone) events but I have had a few incidents where they just took a copy of the incident reports and did no investigators on the floor. Events that lead to surgery and hospital stays. They (aparently) did not feal it was necesary to come in person. I read stories about doh coming and ripping apart charts and reporting staff to the nursing board but I have yet to see that kinda intense scrutiny. Anyone else have similar experiences?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

So evidently I am the only one who saw that title - Doh investigaion - and thought of Homer Simpson.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
So evidently I am the only one who saw that title - Doh investigaion - and thought of Homer Simpson.
Mmmmmmmm - donuts!
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some patients or families dont give the facility a warning when they complain to DOH, they just do it and wait. Either they've complained in the past and nothing was done, or they fear the staff will turn against them for complaining to state.

DOH gives them the impression that the facility won't find out they complained, but in order to investigate the complaint they zero in on the event that caused it... and finesse is not one of their strong points.

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