The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has approved the correction plan submitted by Detroit Medical Center in response to LARA's findings of deficiencies in DMC's central sterile and infection control processes.
LARA investigated the hospital after The Detroit News published a series of articles detailing safety issues in DMC's sterile processing department. The state investigation found a lack of a "robust, consistent, repeatable, comprehensively documented and well-maintained training system" for employees in the department, among other issues.
DMC submitted its correction plan to the state based on LARA's findings Tuesday, and the plan was subsequently approved.
The correction plan includes using a perioperative improvement council and task force to oversee improvement actions. Training policies will be updated and enhanced for some staff members.
This correction plan is separate from what DMC sent to CMS on Oct. 11, but it is similar. See the full plan of correction here.
"DMC will continue to work collaboratively with the state until all matters are resolved and validated by both the state's consultant and the upcoming survey," a hospital statement reads.
LARA sent a statement to The Detroit News, saying, "We will continue to aggressively monitor the DMC's progress to ensure all violations of the public health code are remedied." The state could issue fines or suspensions if problems persist, according to The Detroit News.