The Pennsylvania Health Department may investigate Ellwood City Medical Center after a recent inspection found it improperly stored biological waste, according to sources cited by the Ellwood City Ledger.
Inspectors found several bags of waste in a shed at the hospital that should have been disposed of by a contractor, the Ledger reported. The contractor cut off service due to nonpayment, the paper stated.
Nate Wardle, the health department's press secretary, would not comment to the Ledger on whether an inspection happened or an investigation has been launched.
The health department has 41 days to release a report on an inspection at the hospital. The medical center was listed in compliance on June and November inspections.
A Feb. 4 call for comment from the Ledger to Beverly Annarumo, the hospital's CEO, was not immediately returned.
The hospital already is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor and Industry for a series of payroll delays. The Lawrence County (Pa.) District Attorney's Office also is conducting a criminal investigation into hospital leaders' financial practices.
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