Section 135G.11. Complaints alleging violations.

  1.  A person may request an inspection of a subacute care facility by filing with the department a complaint of an alleged violation of an applicable requirement of this chapter or a rule adopted pursuant to this chapter. The complaint shall state in a reasonably specific manner the basis of the complaint. A statement of the nature of the complaint shall be delivered to the subacute care facility involved at the time of or prior to the inspection.

  2.  Upon receipt of a complaint made in accordance with subsection 1, the department shall make a preliminary review of the complaint. Unless the department concludes that the complaint is intended to harass a subacute care facility or a licensee or is without reasonable basis, it shall within twenty working days of receipt of the complaint make or cause to be made an on-site inspection of the subacute care facility which is the subject of the complaint. The department of inspections and appeals may refer to the department of human services any complaint received by the department of inspections and appeals if the complaint applies to rules adopted by the department of human services. The complainant shall also be notified of the name, address, and telephone number of the designated protection and advocacy agency if the alleged violation involves a facility with one or more residents with a developmental disability or mental illness. In any case, the complainant shall be promptly informed of the result of any action taken by the department in the matter.

  3.  An inspection made pursuant to a complaint filed under subsection 1 need not be limited to the matter or matters referred to in the complaint; however, the inspection shall not be a general inspection unless the complaint inspection coincides with a scheduled general inspection. Upon arrival at the subacute care facility to be inspected, the inspector shall show identification to the person in charge of the subacute care facility and state that an inspection is to be made, before beginning the inspection. Upon request of either the complainant or the department, the complainant or the complainant’s representative or both may be allowed the privilege of accompanying the inspector during any on-site inspection made pursuant to this section. The inspector may cancel the privilege at any time if the inspector determines that the privacy of a resident of the subacute care facility to be inspected would be violated. The dignity of the resident shall be given first priority by the inspector and others.

2012 Acts, ch 1120, §50