Patient safety violations endanger hospital federal funds

For the second time this month, a Dallas-area hospital is at risk of losing federal Medicare and Medicaid funding thanks to patient safety violations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cited Methodist Dallas Medical Center for 10 violations--including failing to screen and stabilize emergency room patients, improperly keeping patient records, and under-staffing the emergency room, among others--that represent immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety, reports the Dallas Business Journal.

Most of the safety lapses involved increased volume and space limitations in the emergency department. These issues could be addressed by the hospital's ED and trauma expansion project announced last week.

The hospital's task force of clinicians and administrators already is preparing a corrective action plan, notes the newspaper. Methodist Dallas Medical Center must submit it by Sept. 6 or face Medicare termination.

Meanwhile, another Dallas hospital reproached for patient safety violations this month, Parkland Memorial Hospital, underwent a corrective action plan, approved by CMS last week. The hospital is now being re-inspected, notes the Business Journal.

In addition to overhauling its patient safety plan after the breach, Parkland is also changing its leadership, reports NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. After CEO Dr. Ron Anderson's contract ends on Dec. 31, the hospital's board of managers will usher him to a new position.

For more information:
- read the Dallas Business Journal article
- read the NBC DFW article