CMS found serious care deficiencies at Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center during two investigations this spring, according to the Houston Chronicle.
CMS investigated the facility in early April and mid-May after MD Anderson reported an adverse event involving a blood transfusion in December 2018. Regulators found issues involving nursing care, laboratory services, patient rights, institutional oversight and quality assurance, according to CMS letters cited by the Chronicle.
"These deficiencies have been determined to be of such a serious nature as to substantially limit your hospital's capacity to render adequate care," CMS said in one letter.
MD Anderson did not confirm whether the blood transfusion event involved a patient death but told the Chronicle it did not involve mislabeling.
"We have policies and procedures in place to protect our patients," hospital officials said in an emailed statement to the publication. "However, in rare instances, severe reactions occur. The transfusion of blood and blood products from human to human carries inherent risks — from mild to severe."
MD Anderson also said it is reviewing its policies and procedures and already implemented new safeguards for blood transfusions. The medical center is developing a correction plan to address deficiencies, which it will submit to CMS next week.
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