Officials for St. John Providence Health System in eastern Michigan say they will appeal a letter terminating Medicare participation for one of its hospitals, effective May 7.
The April 14 notification by the CMS was over a January patient suicide that St. John River District Hospital in St. Clair. The hospital was cited for failing to follow required procedures.
"We want to assure the community that we will continue to provide quality care to those in the community we serve. The hospital has re-emphasized its commitment to our patients and has provided the staff with additional education and training as well as increased monitoring to ensure that our patients are safe and receive the best possible care and treatment," according to St. John officials in a statement.
"We are confident that CMS will find us in compliance upon a resurvey prior to May 7th and that the proposed CMS action will cease. We do not expect any interruption in care to our patients," St. John said in an email statement.
Medicare generally accounts for more than half of a hospital's revenue. Losing Medicare certification generally results in hospital closure or conversion to other uses.
The April 14 letter also said the hospital is not in compliance with patients' rights regulations. CMS will not make payments for services and treatments given to Medicare patients, the letter stated.
"We have determined that the deficiencies are so serious they constitute an immediate threat to patient health and safety," the letter reads. "In addition, a number of deficiencies were found in other Medicare requirements."
CMS did not elaborate on other alleged violations.
On Jan. 8, a 36-year-old woman committed suicide after being admitted to the hospital and in an observation room. A physician placed an order for "suicide precautions" for the woman.
Ironically, St. John River District Hospital was also notified this week by The Leapfrog Group that it had been award an A grade for hospital patient safety.
"St. John River District Hospital to be terminated from Medicare program" originally appeared in Crain's Detroit Business.
