The Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board voted to purchase some non-budgeted equipment for the Operating Room due to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services survey critical of the hospital. Some of the equipment will sterilize hospital operating instruments better and faster. It was noted that the equipment was not all the OR needed but it was a start, Hospital CEO Michael McAndrew’s CMS Update was moved to the closed executive session as allowed for quality assurance matters pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code.
The hospital administration is working to head off termination of their agreement to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs by November 6 due to failure to meet minimum health and safety standards uncovered in CMS surveys. A meeting with CMS officials will take place Tuesday, October 27th at 1 p.m. and hospital officials hope to get the matter resolved at the meeting or they will begin an appeal process. Hospital CEO Michael McAndrew stated, “If we are unable to do so at that time we will officially begin an appeal process. We intend to be transparent about this. We realize the gravity of the situation and have done and will do whatever it takes to address the findings. As we learn more we will disseminate the information.”
Thursday of last week, the hospital received notice via email that it has been terminated from the Medicare/Medicaid program effective November 6th. McAndrew said, “As CEO of the hospital, I was very surprised at the notice of termination. Our hospital staff and physicians work hard to provide high quality patient-centered care. We will work diligently to resolve the issues identified during the recent CMS survey.”
Survey results; reactions here
