Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent Arizona’s State Hospital officials a letter threatening to terminate its Medicare provider agreement because the Hospital did not meet four Conditions of Participation during an investigation. On Thursday, the Hospital received federal approval to move forward with its Plan of Correction.
That plan is intended to increase its quality management, hire additional care providers and promote positive interaction between staff and patients.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services completed an inspection of the hospital in May 2015. The inspection report outlined what it called “serious deficiencies” in hospital operations. The 67-page report detailed “serious deficiencies” during an onsite investigation. During the investigation, which took place between May 18 and May 26, investigators found, in one instance, that a patient had sex with another in exchange for a soda.
Following that report, the Department of Health Services submitted a comprehensive Plan of Correction to CMS which was approved last week.
Dr. Cara Christ, the new director to the Arizona Department of Health Services which oversees the hospital, named Dr. Aaron Bowen CEO of the hospital.
The Plan of Correction to improve patient care at the hospital includes:
•renewed roles and expectations of the hospital’s governing body,
•finalization of a Quality Management Plan to guide quality assurance practices and performance measures for staff,
•the redesign of a tracking tool for grievance and appeals that automatically calculates and tracks due dates as specified in the hospital’s policy,
•increased staffing on the mall to ensure safety for patients and staff,
•a revised policy and trained staff to ensure seclusion and restraint use is in accordance with each patient’s plan of care,
•the appropriate RN nursing supervision and coverage on each unit is in place as well as the availability of an registered nurse to direct patient care at all times,
•training on close observation to nursing supervisors, staff and mental health program specialists to ensure patients on close observation are monitored appropriately.
“This is a new hospital,” said Dr. Christ. “The team working to care for our patients is truly committed to behavioral health. They work hard to recover patients and get them back to their lives outside of the hospital and they care for those who are sentenced by a judge to an extended stay.”
As the hospital continues to make great improvements in patient care, job openings are posted for registered nurses and security personnel. To review these opportunities, please visit azstatejobs.gov and search for Arizona State Hospital.