Do You Have a Complaint about a Hospital in New Jersey?

Most hospital facilities in New Jersey are licensed and monitored by the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services through its Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing. Part of the Division’s responsibilities is to investigate and resolve complaints about the following types of health care facilities:

• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Assisted Living or Comprehensive Personal Care Homes
• Assisted Living Programs
• Adult/Pediatric Day Health Services
• Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded
• Residential Facilities
• Sub-Acute Care Facilities
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Other Ambulatory Care Facilities

Visit Types of Licensed Facilities and Services (from the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing) for a complete list and descriptions of the types of facilities and services that the Division licenses.

You do not have to be a patient or a resident of one of these facilities to make a complaint to the state about an incident or situation that you think should be reported (including involuntary discharge, mistreatment, theft, errors, and more).

You can make the complaint by using the Division’s 24 Hour Complaint Hotline, 1-800-792-9770. You do not have to give your name if you make your complaint by phone. You may also file a complaint by fax, online, or by mail. See Complaints and Hotlines (from the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing). When an address is provided with the complaint, the Division will provide a written response following their investigation.

This information last reviewed 10/26/11