Patient Concerns

Patient Concerns

We hope that your stay at Northfield Hospital is as comfortable as possible. Each of us works to ensure this. When you have questions or concerns about any aspect of your care, we hope you will let us know by talking with your nurse or the others who care for you.

Our hospital’s Patient Advocates are also available to help you with your questions or concerns. On weekdays during regular business hours, please contact the Patient Advocate at  507-646-1509 or email at:  patientadvocate@northfieldhospital.org. During times when the Patient Advocate is not available, please ask to speak to the Nursing Supervisor.

Northfield Hospital has an Ethics Committee that is available for patients, for their families, and for their care providers to act as a resource for consultations regarding ethical dilemmas related to the care of patients. Persons who would like to find out more about the Ethics Committee should ask a nurse or social worker about the referral process.

Grievance Procedures

We hope that any problem can be quickly resolved, but we also want you to know that you or your representative may initiate a formal complaint or grievance without fear of compromising your care. If you wish to submit a grievance, you may:

• Ask any staff member for a grievance form
• Print a Grievance Form.  Complete and return to Northfield Hospital, Attention: Patient Advocate, 2000 North Avenue, Northfield MN 55057.
• Call the Patient Advocate at 507-646-1509 or email at:  patientadvocate@northfieldhospital.org
• Ask to speak to the Nursing Supervisor

If you prefer to submit your complaint with the state agency that oversees this hospital, you may contact the Office of Health Facility Complaints of the Minnesota Department of Health:

• Address: P.O. Box 64970, St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
• Phone: 1-800-369-7994
• Fax: 651-281-9796
• Email: health.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us

The ombudsman services for nursing home residents and home care patients are available by calling 1-800-657-3591.

We strive to resolve grievances and send a written response within 7 days.  However, some cases may be more complicated, involve multiple departments, or the investigation may identify issues that were not initially known.  In these instances, we will write to you to let you know the investigation is still in process and that we will follow up with a written response within the next 30 days.