The CEO of Calhoun Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Fla., Ruth Attaway, has issued a statement following the publication of an Agency for Health Care Administration investigation report that uncovered multiple deficiencies in emergency services and patient care at the hospital.
According to Ms. Attaway, "Our hospital has been extremely proactive about making improvements to the healthcare we provide to Calhoun and Liberty residents, and we are committed to meeting the deadlines put forward by the [AHCA]. The care we provide our residents is critical; we will not lose sight of that priority."
In addition to citing 10 deficiencies, the AHCA report also demanded the hospital submit a plan of correction by Feb. 19, 2016. Should the hospital fail to submit the report and correct its deficiencies by March 1, it could be suspended from participation in the Medicaid program.
"Yes it was a negative report but we'll use it as a springboard," Ms. Attaway told WCTV. "From this we will shore up our defenses. We will correct the issues that are out there and we will come out of this better than ever before."
Already, Calhoun Liberty has taken strides to improve care. Even before the publication of the AHCA report, the hospital hired a nationally certified emergency nurse to manage the emergency department and ensure compliance with the established policies and procedures. Calhoun Liberty also added new personnel training and rounding programs and hired a licensed risk manager to implement a risk management and grievance reporting system.
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