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Patient Advocacy

We encourage our patients and their family members to be actively involved in patient care. We are open to your questions and concerns. If you have a patient safety question or concern while you are at Helen Keller Hospital, please use the following process:

  • Ask to speak to the charge nurse, the unit director or department manager on your floor.
    If you feel your issues were not adequately addressed, please call the hospital supervisor's office at (256) 386-4048, or by dialing extension #4048 if calling from a hospital telephone.
  • If you feel your concerns were not addressed by the hospital supervisor, we encourage you to contact the hospital's administrative offices at (256) 386-4556 or (256) 386-4551.
  • If you still have patient safety and /or quality care concerns after speaking with a member of our administrative team, you may contact the Joint Commission by telephone at (800) 994-6610, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by fax at (630) 792-5636.

    Alternatively, you may contact the Alabama Department of Public Health by calling (800) 356-9596 or sending a written notice to The Alabama Department of Public Health, The RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, P.O. Box 303017 Montgomery, Alabama 36104.

    Patient and/or family concerns regarding quality of care can also be referred to Medicare via the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation (AQAF) at (800) 633-4227, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • If you think you or your loved one is being prematurely released from the hospital, please ask to speak to a Case Manager or Nursing Supervisor. If your concern is not resolved, you may call AQAF at (800) 366-1486, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Be sure to leave your name, Medicare number, and call back information in your message.

Please know that we encourage you to voice complaints and recommend changes freely without being subject to coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or unreasonable interruption of care. Please allow us to hear and address your concerns as soon as possible.

Our hospital staff and physicians are also encouraged to voice concerns and/or offer suggestions regarding quality and patient safety by contacting the appropriate supervisor, director, or administrator. Additionally, the reporting options described above are available for use without fear of retribution.