Every hospital must report the following to the Department of Health and Human Services:

• Hospital-acquired infections;1
• Adverse events relating to emergency medical services, surgeries, medical devices, patient deaths, accidental falls, crime;2
• Maternal deaths.3

New Hampshire law states that patients have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and unnecessary chemical and physical restraints.4  Health care professionals must report abuse or neglect of a patient.5 The Department of Health and Human Services’ files on its investigations of abuse, neglect or exploitation may only be disclosed with the written consent of the victim or the victim’s representative or upon court order.6 The attorney general is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of patient abuse or neglect in any health care facility.7  A health care facility must not retaliate against an individual who files a report of patient abuse or neglect.8

A patient has the right to file a complaint against a health care facility or provider. A health care facility must conspicuously post in a public area a description of its complaint procedures and a copy of the notice of any pending hearing or order pertaining to the facility issued by the commissioner of health or a court.9  A patient of a residential care facility must be provided written notice of how to contact the long-term care ombudsman and the federally-designated protection and advocacy agency for individuals with disabilities prior to transfer or discharge.10 Any person whose rights were violated by a health care facility may file an action in court.11

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Ombudsman must investigate and resolve complaints filed by individuals against health care providers and facilities.12 The department must also have a long-term ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints on behalf of elderly residents of long-term care facilities.13 A long-term care facility must not retaliate against an individual for communicating with the long-term care ombudsman.14

A health care provider may be sanctioned for unprofessional conduct or practices in a manner that harms a patient.15 A health care facility, a health care provider, insurer providing professional liability insurance, and the Department of Health and Human Services must report to the appropriate licensing board any acts of misconduct, disciplinary action or lawsuit against a licensed health care professional.16