All UNC Health Appalachian facilities have representatives on the UNC Health Appalachian Ethics Committee, which is available to give you support and guidance when you are faced with difficult decisions about medical care and treatment issues. The committee does not tell you what you should do, but can help affected parties look together at the larger situation and consider all feasible alternatives. If you would like support from the Ethics Committee, let your nurse know, or call (828) 262-4100 and ask the switchboard to page the chaplain on call at pager 1400.
You have the right to file a complaint or concern with either or both:
The NC Division of Health Service Regulation
Complaint Intake Unit
2711 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
(800) 624-3004
Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(800) 994-6610
Fax: 630-792-5636
complaint@jointcommission.org
Website: www.jointcommission.org, then click “Report a Safety Event”
Although conflicts often are a part of life, they can add to the stress you feel when you or a loved one is hospitalized. At UNC Health Appalachian, our job is to:
- anticipate potential care-related conflicts and eliminate them
- work with you to resolve conflicts quickly and considerately
While we strive to meet and exceed the expectations of our patients, staff, physicians and visitors, at times we may fall short. An important value at UNC Health Appalachian is receiving, responding to and resolving all complaints in a courteous and timely manner. Your feedback helps us to improve our care and delivery systems.
If you have a complaint, you may contact us online or speak with any facility employee or volunteer, and he or she will initiate the complaint process. If the individual can resolve the problem, he or she has the authority to do so. If not, your concerns are forwarded to the appropriate department manager, and if necessary, to hospital administration.
