Phoenix Health CompassAdvocacy Center
All complaint pathways
Hospital complaints
Something went wrong during an inpatient stay, ER visit, or hospital outpatient service.
Best for
- • Care quality concerns
- • Staff conduct
- • Discharge problems
- • Unsafe conditions
Step by step
Follow these in order — skipping a step is the most common reason a complaint stalls.
- 1Ask for the Patient Advocate or Patient Relations office — every hospital has one, and it is the fastest internal route.
- 2Put the complaint in writing: dates, times, unit, names, what happened, and what resolution you are asking for.
- 3Request a written acknowledgement and a case or grievance number.
- 4If the hospital participates in Medicare, ask for the formal grievance process — it carries required response timelines.
- 5If unresolved, escalate to your state health department's hospital complaint office and to The Joint Commission.
What to expect
Medicare-participating hospitals generally must acknowledge a grievance promptly and respond in writing, typically within 7 days for most grievances.
Avoid these mistakes
- Separate what happened from how it felt. Both matter, but the facts drive the investigation.
- Attach records: discharge summary, medication list, photos of wounds or equipment.
- Send by a method that creates proof — certified mail, portal message, or email with a read receipt.
If nothing happens
State health department → The Joint Commission → CMS regional office.
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Educational purposes only
Phoenix Health Compass does not provide legal advice or medical advice. This content summarizes publicly available government and nonprofit resources and is cited throughout. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the official agency.
Last reviewed by the Phoenix Health Compass editorial team.