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South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Department of Health

Health Facility Licensure

Health Facility Complaints

File a complaint about poor quality, abuse, or neglect by any staff member of the facility follow the steps below.

  1. Call or Write

    Complaint Coordinator
    Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure & Certification
    South Dakota Department of Health
    600 E. Capitol Ave.
    Pierre, SD 57501
    Phone: 605-367-5368 or 605-773-6373 or 605-367-4640
    Fax: 1-866-539-3886

    Email: DOH OLC Complaint

    Home Health/Hospice Hotline: 1-800-738-2301 or 605-367-4640 - Monitored Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT)

    Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) 

    (The call or write instructions apply to ALL complaints, including EMTALA)

  2. Describe the Incident

    Describe the incident and give the facility name or nurse aide name, the patient name, and the date and time of the incident. Then, submit your complaint in writing to ensure we understand the issue correctly. You will NOT be identified to the health care facility or to the public.

  3. Investigation

    If the complaint is of a serious nature, the department may investigate without the written description. Complaint investigations are conducted by appropriate professional surveyors within a time-frame consistent with the seriousness of the allegations.

  4. Report

    Once the investigation is complete, you will receive a brief report of the results, as will the health care provider.

For Health Care Facility Use Only

For CNA Complaints

File a Complaint About Other Nurses