The D.C. Council voted 7-6 Tuesday to sever its relationship with Veritas, which operates Washington, D.C.-based United Medical Center, and turned down a one-year, $4.2 million management contract extension with the consulting firm, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The D.C. Department of Health Care Finance tapped Veritas to operate UMC under an emergency contract in April 2016, the report states. Recent instances of alleged patient neglect and the temporary closure of the hospital's obstetrics ward, among other quality and safety concerns, reportedly caused officials to seriously question the consulting company's ability to manage UMC.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a press conference after the vote Veritas' contract with UMC ends Nov. 30, and she will work with hospital officials to ensure a smooth transition.
UMC's board will reportedly meet Nov. 16 to discuss who will replace Veritas.
"The bottom line is, the council has the prerogative to cancel a contract, that's what it's done and it is a short time period for the board to react to make sure we've got continued operations at the hospital," Ms. Bowser said. "I'm very confident they'll be able to do that. The District will be willing to support them with whatever their needs are to make sure we have hospital operations at the conclusion of the contract."
In a letter to the UMC board shared with the D.C. Council, Veritas President Chrystie Bourcree denied allegations of "mismanagement and malfeasance that have adversely affected patient safety and the quality of care at UMC," according to the Washington Business Journal.
Veritas did not respond to the Washington Business Journal's request for comment.
Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to United Medical Center for comment and will update the article as more information becomes available.