CMS accepted Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel West's plan of correction to address several deficiencies related to the hospital's physical environment, the hospital announced June 18, according to WOSU Public Media.
CMS warned Mount Carmel Health System in January that two of its hospitals — Mount Carmel West and Mount Carmel St. Ann's in Westerville, Ohio — were in "immediate jeopardy" and could lose federal funding. The warning came soon after Mount Carmel fired William Husel, DO, for allegedly prescribing fatal doses of pain medication to at least 34 patients. Dr. Husel is currently being charged with 25 counts of murder.
CMS removed the hospitals from "immediate jeopardy" status after both developed plans to remedy issues with pharmaceutical services. Yet the Ohio Department of Health found issues with fire and building safety at Mount Carmel West soon afterward. The hospital created an additional plan to correct these issues, which CMS approved.
"We anticipate CMS will return to our facilities for a follow-up visit to assess and confirm that all appropriate actions are complete and effective," according to a statement posted June 18 on Mount Carmel’s website. "In the meantime, nothing changes our ability to treat patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid."
Mount Carmel St. Ann's was approved for continued CMS funding in April. Meanwhile, Mount Carmel Grove City (Ohio) is facing lawsuits alleging it failed to properly respond to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.