Tennessee Code Title 68. Health, Safety and Environmental Protection § 68-30-208

(a) The health facilities commission is authorized to investigate allegations of violations of this part.

(b) Any person may notify the health facilities commission of a violation or potential violation of this part.

(c) The health facilities commission shall take no further action on a complaint if the health facilities commission must obtain authorization to enter a facility from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and CMS denies the authorization to enter.

(d) If an employee of an entity accused of a violation notifies the health facilities commission of a violation or a potential violation, then the employee is afforded all protections as described in § 50-1-304.