[Update, 04/11/12: Saint Catherine Medical Center has filed for Chapter 11.]
Saint Catherine Medical Center in Ashland, PA faces the wrath of federal and state officials in the wake of a complaint survey, which uncovered serious deficiencies and violations that place patient health and safety in immediate jeopardy.
On Tuesday the medical center was notified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that because of the deficiencies the hospital no longer meets the requirements for participation in the federal Medicare program.
In an April 3 letter to Merlyn Knapp, the medical center's CEO, officials in the Philadelphia office of CMS said the Medicare agreement will be terminated by April 19 "if the immediate jeopardy has not been removed by that date."
Admissions Banned
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has effectively shuttered the Schuylkill County medical center by imposing a ban on new admissions, as well as emergency and outpatient procedures at the 67-bed hospital.
Holli Senior, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said that although there are no patients at St. Catherine, its license has not been revoked. "It's still able to submit a plan of correction to try and clean up its deficiencies," she told HealthLeaders Media.
Saint Catherine's problems stem from a complaint survey conducted in March on behalf of CMS by the state Department of Public Health. The reason for the survey is unknown, but a complaint survey can originate from several sources, including patients or their families.
Although the survey has not yet been publically released, according to the CMS letter, the deficiencies fall into five broad categories: radiologic services, physical environment, surgical services, compliance with laws, and governing body.
Surgical Services Supplies Lacking
A March 23 letter to Knapp from the state department of health provides some additional insight into the deficiencies. It mentions that the facility lacks the "proper equipment and supplies" to provide surgical services.
"Until you can provide the department with evidence that the operating room equipment has been properly inspected, there is sufficient equipment, and there are adequate supplies, the ban on admissions also applies to your surgical services department."
Financial Problems Suspected
A media release from the department of health notes that "the medical center does not have the means to obtain the proper equipment and supplies for surgical, outpatient and emergency services."
The release also notes that the admission ban doesn't apply to the medical center's long-term care facility, where about 30 patients reside. It goes on to say, however, that as a "precautionary measure due to the financial ties between the two entities" the department of health has asked St. Catherine to accept "the appointment of a temporary manager of the long-term facility" to provide consultation and operational recommendations.
Instead, the facility is now working with the Department of Health to move the residents to other long-term care facilities.
Saint Catherine Medical Center and Saint Catherine Regional Hospital are operated by Saint Catherine Healthcare, LLC. In March 2012 the three were ordered to pay a $168,760 judgment to Lease Associates. On March 26, PPL Electric Utilities filed a lawsuit against Saint Catherine and five affiliates in county court. No details regarding the claim are available.
Efforts to reach Merlyn Knapp, who has been CEO of the medical center only since Feb 26, were unsuccessful Thursday.
Margaret Dick Tocknell is a reporter/editor with HealthLeaders Media.
