Detroit Medical Center hospitals may lose federal funds due to health and safety violations

Harper Hospital and Receiving Hospital, both of which operate in the Detroit Medical Center system, may potentially lose federal payments after failing health and safety inspections on October, Michigan radio reported.

At issue were infection control violations, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services described as "significant."

IMPACT

CMS told the two hospitals that the violations greatly hindered their ability to provide sufficient patient care. That being the case, they no longer meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation.

Because of this, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will ramp up its reviews at both hospitals to ensure compliance. The hospitals stand to lose Medicare and Medicaid funds of problems continue.

Violations at Harper Hospital included a catheter bag touching the Intensive Care Unit floor; spills in the kitchen prep area; bugs and gnats in the ICU; improperly covering sterile equipment in the operating room; and failure to follow protocol regarding information sharing about hospital-acquired infections.

Violations at Receiving Hospital included non-violent patients put into restraints for longer than was authorized; failure to maintain an infection control program; improperly documenting hospital-acquired infections; violating policies regarding surgical gloves and hand hygiene; and two instances of using non-sterile surgical equipment.

THEIR TAKE

The DMC told Michigan Radio that it has already implemented an action plan, and that it "expected and welcomes" the LARA inspectors.

It's the second time in as many years that hospitals in the DMC system have been nabbed for infection control issues. The system said it has addressed the issues, and has not lost its Medicare-eligible status.
 

Twitter: @JELagasse



Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com