Title 43, Chapter 34A, Section 6
( 43-34A-6)
(a) The patient or any person that the board deems to have a
legitimate interest has the right to file a grievance with the board
concerning a physician, staff, office, or treatment received. (b) A declaration of the patient's rights shall be prominently
displayed in conspicuous language in the physician's waiting room.
This declaration may be contained in the same notice as the right to
obtain physician profiles. The declaration of rights shall contain
the following statement: "The patient has the right to file a grievance with the Composite
State Board of Medical Examiners concerning the physician, staff,
office, and treatment received. The patient should either call
the board with such a complaint or send a written complaint to the
board. The patient should be able to provide the physician or
practice name, the address, and the specific nature of the
complaint." Such notice shall include the current phone number and address of
the board. (c) The board must review every complaint received to determine if
there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation according
to a procedure established by board regulation. Only investigated
complaints upon which the board has taken disciplinary action shall
be included in a physician's profile. The board must take the
appropriate action as set forth in the regulations promulgated by
the board. The board must respond in writing to the complaint
within 60 days. In the response, the board shall inform the person
whether the complaint is being referred for investigation, and if
the complaint has been investigated, the results of the
investigation or whether further investigation is required, and any
board action taken. |