Parkland Signs Improvement Agreement, Remains Open

In addition, the hospital must contract with nationally recognized experts to develop and implement a quality assessment and performance improvement program. It also must hire a full-time, independent, on-site compliance officer to provide oversight and coordination of Parkland's efforts to return to compliance.

In an e-mail to HealthLeaders Media on Wednesday night, Bob Moos, a CMS spokesperson for the Dallas region, said Parkland has 45 days to provide CMS with a list of potential consultants. He added that another full survey of the Parkland facility will be scheduled for six months to a year from now. If there are "substantial compliance findings" the term of the SIA could be shortened.

"We welcome this opportunity to work in partnership with CMS. Our goal, along with CMS, is to return Parkland to deemed status and full compliance with all of CMS' regulatory standards. That's our responsibility to our patients and to the people of Dallas County," said John Jay Shannon, MD, Parkland's executive vice president and chief medical officer in a press statement.

See Also:
CMS Compromise Gives Parkland Reprieve
Immediate Jeopardy at Parkland Puts VBP Incentive Pay in Peril
Parkland: Leadership Change Unrelated to Report of Deficiencies
Parkland Hospital Audits Raise Troubling Questions