Depends on the offense.

Thanks for your input Dubenezic! Did you find that your complaint was listened to or were you whistling in the wind? I just wonder if these state agencies actually do anything punitive in cases like these.

I filed a complaint against JCMC and Hoboken with the NJ DoH. They will send an investigator and a written report will be generated with their findings. You also have the option of making a complaint with the individual hospital, but that obviously is up to you.

If you want to see that report, you have to file a FOIA request with the DoH. I provided a link for you to file a complaint. You can either pick up the report in person in Trenton or I believe you can do it by mail. They charge a fee per page per the Government Records Council. Last I checked it was $.10 per page. Good luck.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/healthfacilities/hotlines.shtml

I don't want to get into specifics, but I had a horrible experience with a local hospital emergency room on Friday (not in Jersey City/Hoboken). Has anyone used the state's complaint system in Trenton for healthcare facilities? Are they responsive?

Not sure if I should get a lawyer at this point, but the situation was way beyond the normal consumer annoyance that one experiences in an ER situation - it borders on extreme negligence.

Any input is appreciated.

(And a mom's PS: if something is wrong with your child - please consider traveling the extra few minutes to the Hackensack pediatric ER. They have a dedicated children's hospital with an ER that only treats children. I cannot recommend them enough - especially after my experience locally this week.)