Nursing Home Complaint Protocol

Summary

In Indiana, if you have concerns about a nursing homes handling of incidents, such as falls, you can follow specific protocols. These include immediate assessment, providing medical attention, notifying family, and documenting the incident. If unsatisfied with the response, gather evidence and file a formal complaint with the Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care. You can also contact the Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman for further assistance. For personalized advice, consider consulting an elder law attorney.

Full Conversation

I sent the Indiana department of health a message regarding my father who is in a nursing home asking why I wasn’t notified or present when they investigated a complaint about him. He has dementia and Alzheimer’s. I am his POA and health care representative. They have no responded. What else can I do?
Hi Janine,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Here are some steps you can take:
- Follow up with the Indiana Department of Health via phone or email.
- File a formal complaint with the department.
- Contact the Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman for assistance.
Is there a specific court or legal authority you would like to reach out to for further help?

Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman


Phone: *-*-*-*
Website: https://www.in.gov/ombudsman
Can you tell me what the protocol is for a fall in nursing home. My father fell Sunday as we were coming to visit him. He was bleeding profusely from head and they didn’t call for ambulance for over * minutes. He needed staples to close his wound
I'm sorry to hear about your father's fall, Janine. Generally, the protocol for handling falls in nursing homes includes:
- Immediate assessment of the resident's condition.
- Providing first aid and necessary medical attention.
- Notifying the resident's family and healthcare provider.
- Documenting the incident in the resident's medical records.
- Investigating the cause of the fall and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.
For Indiana-specific regulations, you might want to follow up with:

Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.in.gov/isdh

Would you like more information on filing a formal complaint?
Yes
Janine, here are the steps to file a formal complaint regarding your father's care in the nursing home:
- **Gather Evidence:** Collect any relevant documents, photos, and witness statements.
- **Contact the Facility:** Notify them of your concerns in writing.
- **File a Complaint:** Submit a complaint to the Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care using their online form or by phone.

Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: [www.in.gov/isdh](http://www.in.gov/isdh)

Would you like information on legal assistance or further guidance on this matter?
Thank you
You're welcome, Janine. If you need further assistance or legal advice, consider contacting the Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman or a local attorney specializing in elder law. Here are the details:

Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: [www.in.gov/ombudsman](http://www.in.gov/ombudsman)

Is there anything else you need help with?