42 CFR § 488.332 - Investigation of complaints of violations and monitoring of compliance.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s488.332"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 488.332 - Investigation of complaints of violations and monitoring of compliance."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "488.332"
section_name: "Investigation of complaints of violations and monitoring of compliance."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION"
part_number: "488"
part_name: "SURVEY, CERTIFICATION, AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C 1302 and 1395hh."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 22859, June 17, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "488"
---


# 488.332 Investigation of complaints of violations and monitoring of compliance.

(a) *Investigation of complaints.* (1) The State survey agency must establish procedures and maintain adequate staff to investigate complaints of violations of participation requirements.

(2) The State survey agency takes appropriate precautions to protect a complainant's anonymity and privacy, if possible.

(3) If arrangements have been made with other State components for investigation of complaints, the State must have a means of communicating information among appropriate entities, and the State survey agency retains responsibility for the investigation process.

(4) If, after investigating a complaint, the State has reason to believe that an identifiable individual neglected or abused a resident, or misappropriated a resident's property, the State survey agency must act on the complaint in accordance with § 488.335.

(b) *On-site monitoring.* The State survey agency conducts on-site monitoring on an as necessary basis when—

(1) A facility is not in substantial compliance with the requirements and is in the process of correcting deficiencies;

(2) A facility has corrected deficiencies and verification of continued substantial compliance is needed; or

(3) The survey agency has reason to question the substantial compliance of the facility with a requirement of participation.

(c) *Composition of the investigative team.* A State may use a specialized team, which may include an attorney, auditor and appropriate health professionals, to identify, survey, gather and preserve evidence, and administer remedies to noncompliant facilities.