The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid told Mount Carmel's West and St. Ann's hospitals that their pharmaceutical services continue to be out of compliance.
CMS Mount Carmel it was in 鈥渋mmediate jeopardy鈥� of losing federal funding in January, after the hospital announced it fired doctor William Husel for giving 鈥渆xcessive鈥� doses of painkillers to dozens of patients.
Both Mount Carmel West and St. Ann鈥檚 were required to submit corrective actions plans that address the pharmacy process, . The hospitals were removed from 鈥渋mmediate jeopardy鈥� status after a February 11 on-site survey found that patient health and safety was no longer in danger.
In letters dated February 22, CMS said that 鈥渨hile the immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety has been removed at both Mount Carmel St. Ann鈥檚 and at Mount Carmel West, condition level non-compliance remains at both facilities.鈥�
A hospital spokesperson says the health system was unable to complete extensive training for hospital employees by the February 22 deadline imposed by CMS. The trainings are slated before March 6.
CMS authorized the Ohio Department of Health to conduct a full review of both Mount Carmel West and St. Ann's, to certify they're complying with all conditions of Medicare particpiation beyond pharmaceutical services.
Mount Carmel says it is preparing a formal statement.
Mount Carmel鈥檚 corrective action plans, which were acquired by 星空无限传媒, cited an Ohio Department of Health report that found policy deficiencies and failed safeguards around painkiller dosing and medication dispensing. The report found Mount Carmel 鈥渇ailed to prevent patients from receiving an overdose鈥� from painkillers like fentanyl.
Among the major findings of the Health Department was that Mount Carmel employees could override the approval process of an automated medication dispensing system in order to get more medication. In addition, the hospital lacked written policies on how much fentanyl would be appropriate for palliative care.
Mount Carmel鈥檚 corrective action plan included changes such as limiting the availability of opioids in the medication dispensing system, reducing the number of medications available through system overrides, and requiring daily reviews of high-risk medication overrides.
Many of the 35 patients identified by Mount Carmel as receiving 鈥渆xcessive鈥� doses of fentanyl were considered near-death and placed on life support. All patients died after receiving the painkillers. A from hospital announced the possibility that five of those patients could have improved in their conditions.
At least 23 employees, including pharmacists and nurses, have been placed on administrative leave since Mount Carmel began its investigation. The hospital previously https://youtu.be/7vQWqDlugQk?t=229">said such employees 鈥渋gnored the safeguards we had in place.鈥� However, several Mount Carmel employees that the hospital鈥檚 policies were not clear enough to justify punishment of staff members who followed the orders of their doctor.
The State Medical Board of Ohio suspended Husel鈥檚 license last month, and warned it could impose further discipline. Husel requested a hearing to appeal his license suspension and possible permanent revocation.
At least 19 wrongful death lawsuits have so far been filed against Mount Carmel and Husel, and lawyers say a 20th suit is forthcoming.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating.
If you are a Mount Carmel staffer who has information to share, or you believe your loved one or family member was impacted by this case, contact 星空无限传媒 at paige.pfleger@wosu.org.
