Hospital complaints across Oklahoma are up

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state Health Department received a record 146 complaints against hospitals this fiscal year, many involving clerical errors. <br/><br/>Half of the complaints have led to citations

Monday, September 6th 2004, 9:23 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state Health Department received a record 146 complaints against hospitals this fiscal year, many involving clerical errors.

Half of the complaints have led to citations against hospitals.

The Health Department inspects, licenses and certifies all hospitals in Oklahoma. Hospitals that don't meet requirements are issued deficiencies and are required to correct the problems.

The agency does not investigate complaints related to hospital billing.

Grievances this year included inferior food, unanswered calls for help, misdiagnosed illnesses and medication errors.

Oklahoma Hospital Association Vice President Sheryl Ray McLain welcomed the complaints as ways to help hospitals improve and to allow patients to be served in the best manner.