The Internet is a nearly unlimited resource of information, e-commerce sites, and social media networks that touch all aspects of our society. It’s also a place where you can post a review of any business across multiple platforms. Many businesses encourage their customers to share their experiences with their online community.
Unfortunately, that can also open the floodgates to negative reviews, which can harm a business.
On the other hand, if the company is open to honest feedback, it could improve customer experience. It’s quite different for hospitals. If you have something negative to say about a hospital, it could be directly related to substandard care you or your family have received.
If that care causes harm, you don’t want to write a review for Facebook. Instead, you want to file a complaint against that hospital.
Patients and their families are entitled to file a complaint, just as they are entitled to take it further and file a medical malpractice claim. If you’re experiencing that level of concern, you’ll want to share what happened with the Barrera Law Group, LLC.
We have years of experience helping clients who have filed medical malpractice claims against doctors, nurses, and entire hospitals. These complaints will typically begin with filing an official complaint.
Filing a Complaint Against a New Mexico Hospital
When it comes to filing a complaint against a New Mexico Hospital, you have several options.
The first would be to file with the individual hospital. They will have a procedure for filing complaints that would require a response from the hospital. However, you can also file complaints with other state agencies.
Here are some of the options:
New Mexico Department of Health
The New Mexico Department of Health works to “promote, preserve, and protect your health.”
This includes offering services involving birth and death certificates, supplemental food programs, immunization, reproductive health, and environmental health tracking.
You can report a health facility complaint against long-term care facilities or hospitals by calling (800) 752-8649.
New Mexico Health Care Authority
The New Mexico Health Care Authority is a relatively new agency that merges the following agencies:
- The New Mexico Human Services Department
- The State Employee Benefits team from the General Services Department
- The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division and the Division of Health Improvement from the New Mexico Department of Health
- The Health Care Affordability Fund from the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance
The New Mexico Health Care Authority provides a portal with links where you can submit questions, concerns, or grievances.
The New Mexico Department of Health Facility Complaints
The New Mexico Department of Health Facility Complaints is an agency that investigates incidents and concerns with long-term care facilities and hospitals.
You can call (800) 752-8649 to register a complaint.
Areas of Concern with New Mexico Hospitals
Are there problems with New Mexico hospitals? As of last year, Mexico had a total of sixty-seven hospitals operating across the state. Those hospitals help thousands of residents each day with a variety of ailments and injuries.
However, a Google search of news related to New Mexico hospitals finds some troubling reports. Consider the following:
SourceNM reports that a new law that went into effect in 2024 redefines how the state calculates its portion of the Medicaid match for hospitals. As a result, certain smaller hospitals could see their access to Medicaid funds reduced. That can have a direct impact on patient access.
An NBC News story reported that New Mexico’s attorney general launched an investigation into Memorial Medical Center for violating state laws by turning away low-income patients.
According to a New Mexico Political Report story, the state is facing a critical nursing shortage.
The result of that shortage could mean that the staff present is overworked, which increases the risk of errors.
Finally, a report by KRQE finds that hundreds of millions of dollars meant for New Mexico hospitals went unspent. Imagine the benefits that could have been created with those funds.
These stories highlight areas of concern with the hospitals in the state, and your complaint is justified.
Following Up on Your Hospital Complaint
Any complaint filed against a hospital should generate a response. Typically, that response will include an acknowledgment and promise to investigate the matter. While that’s important, it might not address your immediate concerns.
That is why you need the support of an experienced law firm like the Barrera Law Group, LLC.
We become advocates for our clients and step in to facilitate a response. In extreme cases, we may recommend that you pursue an official medical malpractice claim. That will lead to further investigations and a thorough review of medical records.
Filing that claim could be the best way to find a remedy and hold someone accountable for substandard care.