In a rare move, the CMS will terminate Medicare and Medicaid funding at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston next month after an investigation found the hospital was noncompliant with federal rules.
An Oct. 15 inspection report found that the 374-bed hospital was in violation of four protocols for Medicare participation, including patient rights, nursing services and infection control.
The first inspection report by the state found that the hospital, owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based for-profit operator Iasis Healthcare, failed to properly train security guards and nursing staff to identify psychological changes in patients.
In a follow-up inspection, the state found St. Joseph continued to violate conditions for Medicare participation.
St. Joseph CEO Mark Bernard told employees in a written statement that the hospital is meeting with CMS officials to discuss the termination and hopes to be able to continue to provide care to Medicare and Medicaid patients.
