A Penn Medicine hospital was briefly placed in "immediate jeopardy" by state officials following the November death of a patient at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Jan. 1.
The patient reportedly died after slumping over in a walker and sliding down a wall, then ultimately collapsed on the floor of HUP-Cedar's behavioral health unit. Workers did not immediately call a code blue or begin performing CPR until 10 minutes into the incident, a state investigation found.
The state's report, published Dec. 26, does note that although the hospital implemented immediate corrective actions such as educating staff on code blue procedures and what to do in the event of a patient fall to address the situation, it continues to not be in compliance for the Condition of Participation for Patient Rights as well as for Nursing Services.
"Patient safety is an essential cornerstone of care across Penn Medicine. Our plan of correction demonstrates how seriously we take this commitment," a Penn Medicine spokesperson told Becker's. "We are saddened by the loss of this patient and are fully cooperating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health in connection with this matter."
The hospital has until Jan. 25 to correct remaining noncompliance and safety issues, according to the Inquirer.