Be a Partner in Your Safety
To improve patient safety, Lakeland encourages patients and their family members to be active participants in their care. Research has shown that patients who take part in decisions about their healthcare are more likely to have better outcomes. Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications by the right healthcare professionals. Don’t assume anything.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care. Your health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don’t understand something your physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional tells you. Tell your nurse or physician if something doesn’t seem right.
If that makes you uncomfortable, we ask that you share your concerns with the nurse manager or supervisor assigned to you as soon as possible. You have a right to having your complaint or grievance resolved promptly. Exercising this right will not compromise your care and can be done in a confidential manner, if you choose. Please call (269) 983-8300 to file a grievance.
You can also contact the following state agencies for unresolved concerns:
- The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Customer Service, 1 Renaissance, Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181
- Michigan Department of Community Health, 201 Townsend St., Capitol View Bldg., 7th Floor, Lansing, MI 48913, Complaint hotline: 1 (800) 882-6006
- Michigan's Quality Improvement Organization MPRO, 22670 Haggerty Rd., Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Phone: (248) 465-7300
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 499 W. Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, Phone: (269) 925-7044