Quick Answer

Tennessee Department of Health Division of Health Care Facilities:

  • Online Complaint Form: Accessible here.
  • Phone: Centralized Complaint Intake Unit at 1-877-287-0010 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
  • Mail: Send completed complaint forms to Division of Health Care Facilities, Centralized Complaint Intake Unit, 665 Mainstream Drive, Second Floor, Nashville, TN.

Handles a range of issues, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation in nursing homes.

Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman:

Table of Contents
Share This Post:

Tennessee: How to File a Nursing Home Complaint and Protect Your Loved Ones

Protecting our loved ones in nursing homes is a top priority. This guide aims to simplify the complexities of dealing with nursing home issues, focusing on how to spot signs of abuse or neglect and what steps to take next. We break down the essentials: recognizing the signs, documenting evidence, and how to file a nursing home complaint in Tennessee. The information is available to empower you with the knowledge to act confidently on behalf of your family members, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Recognizing Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Tennessee

Nursing home abuse can manifest in various forms, all detrimental to a resident’s well-being. Family members should be vigilant and learn to recognize the warning signs:

  • Physical Abuse: Look for unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries, and behaviors indicating fear around caregivers.
  •  Emotional Abuse: Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal or depression, can signal emotional mistreatment.
  •  Sexual Abuse: Be alert to physical signs like bruises around private areas or sudden behavioral changes.
  •  Neglect: Signs include poor hygiene, pressure ulcers or bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, and untreated medical conditions.
  •  Financial Exploitation: Unexplained financial transactions or missing personal items may indicate exploitation.

Documenting and Reporting

If you suspect abuse, document the signs and conditions you encounter.

Documentation that may be helpful for an investigation or an attorney include:

  1. Photographs of physical injuries and the conditions in which they occurred.
  2.  Notes on the events that led up to the abuse and corresponding dates
  3.  Medical records, especially those of any hospital or other health visits related to the injuries.
  4.  Contact information for possible witnesses of the abuse or neglect

Tennessee’s Legal Framework

The legal procedures for addressing nursing home complaints vary by state. Our guide provides an overview of Tennessee’s complaint process. However, consulting with a nursing home attorney can offer personalized legal advice tailored to your situation. An attorney can explain your rights, help you navigate complex legal issues, and ensure the strongest possible case for your loved one. Victims may be entitled to compensation for injuries or wrongful death resulting from abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility.

The Nursing Home Complaint Process in Tennessee

What Does a State Survey Agency Do?

State Survey Agencies work to ensure the quality and safety of healthcare and long-term care services within a state. These agencies, often part of the state’s health department, inspect healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and daycare centers for adults to ensure they meet federal and state standards. Their tasks include

  • conducting surveys or inspections,
  • investigating complaints related to healthcare facilities and
  • taking enforcement actions when necessary.

State Survey Agencies help protect the health and well-being of residents and patients by regularly inspecting and responding to complaints. They ensure they receive safe, quality care. Additionally, these agencies often inform the public about the performance and quality of healthcare facilities in their state, aiding families in making informed decisions about care services.

Reporting Options in Tennessee

In Tennessee, if you encounter issues with a licensed and/or certified health facility, the Department of Health Division of Health Care Facilities (TNDOH) offers several avenues for you to file a complaint. Here’s how you can report your concerns:

Options for Filing a Complaint in Tennessee:

1. Phone

  • Centralized Complaint Intake Unit: Call 1-877-287-0010 to speak with medically trained staff about your complaint. This toll-free service operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2. Mail

  • If you prefer to submit a written complaint, you can request a complaint form by contacting the Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities at 1-877-287-0010. Alternatively, you can download the complaint form here. Complete the form with as much detail as possible and mail it to: Division of Health Care Facilities, Centralized Complaint Intake Unit, 665 Mainstream Drive, Second Floor.

3. Online

  • Online Complaint Form: You can also submit your complaint online for convenience. To access and complete the online complaint form, click here.

Types of Complaints Investigated by the TNDOH

The TNDOH takes resident safety seriously and investigates a wide range of nursing home concerns, including:

  • Abuse: Intentionally causing injury, unfairly confining someone, frightening, or punishing them in a way that leads to physical hurt, discomfort, or emotional suffering. Abuse covers all forms of harm, whether it’s through words, sexual acts, physical actions, or emotional manipulation, including the use of technology to carry out the abuse.
  •  Neglect: A failure to give the care or services needed to keep a resident safe from physical injury, discomfort, or emotional upset. Sometimes, people neglect others on purpose, and other times, they do it without meaning.
  •  Exploitation: When someone uses manipulation, intimidation, or force to take advantage of a resident for their benefit.
  •  Misappropriation: Intentionally placing, using, or taking advantage of a resident’s possessions or money without their permission.

Information to Prepare When Filing a Complaint with the TNDOH

When you’re ready to file a complaint, prepare detailed information to provide to the survey agency. Remember to include the following details:

Who

  • The victim’s name and address.
  •   The name of the facility and the names of those in charge of the victim’s care.
  •   The name of the person you suspect of committing the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

 What

  • Describe the type and severity of harm, including any physical evidence of abuse or neglect.
  •   Note any past incidents that might be related.
  •   Provide a detailed account of what you observed. If you have permission from the resident, include photographs of any visible injuries or conditions that support your claim.

 Where & When

  • Specify where and when the incident occurred to give a clear context for the investigation.

This information will help authorities to understand and promptly investigate your complaint thoroughly.

What to Do After Filing a Complaint?

Staying proactive after filing a complaint will help address the issue. First, check in with the resident and the facility to verify that the neglect or abuse has ceased. Next, contact the investigator or agency handling your case and request written summaries of their findings if the law permits. 

If a state survey agency substantiates the findings or a court finds a nurse aide or licensed staff member guilty of abusing a resident, the information must be reported to the State nurse aide registry or the State licensing board. Care providers who have faced disciplinary action should not be employed or allowed to volunteer at the facility.

Additional Resources in Tennessee

Contacting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

What is an Ombudsman?

An ombudsman advocates for people in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes. Generally, Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs provide trained volunteers who work with residents and their family members to communicate concerns and resolve problems by providing advocacy, support, education, and empowerment. The offices offer services at no cost to the resident or their family. Many ombudsman offices also receive and investigate complaints on behalf of nursing home residents and their families. They serve as a voice for residents in ensuring that the facility meets mandated legal standards for every person receiving long-term care services.

Contacting the Tennessee Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Tennessee Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is administered by the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. The office may be reached by calling 615-253-5412 or Toll-Free at 877-236-0013. Contact information for district-specific ombudsmen can be found here.

Report Abuse to a Lawyer

Need Information for Another State?

Injury Due to Nursing Home Neglect?

Injured Due to Nursing Home Neglect?