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Tewksbury Hospital
gets recertification
(November
2004 Issue)
By Phyllis Hanlon
Following the deaths of three patients last year, the state began
investigating allegations of inappropriate healthcare delivery at
Tewksbury Hospital. At that time, several violations were cited,
forcing the hospital to create and implement a plan of correction
to help put the facility back on the road to recovery. In late April,
the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS), the licensing authority
that noted the deficiencies, reviewed and approved Tewksbury's plan.
According to Paul Cote, healthcare advisor to then Chief Executive
Officer Raymond Sanzone, the hospital developed a complex plan to
address nearly 20 deficiencies. Part of the proposal called for
recruiting new clinical and administrative leadership. In February,
Val W. Slayton, M.D. was appointed interim CEO. "This is a very
significant factor," Cote says. "He will help stabilize the hospital."
The facility also hired a new director of nursing and is close to
hiring two more internists, Cote says. "Things take time but we
are at the cusp of making a big turn."
Another critical part of the correction plan involved implementing
system changes including new programs, stricter review of charts,
closer oversight, better documentation and other efforts to ensure
patient safety. He emphasizes that these planned changes underscore
the hospital's seriousness regarding the issue.
According to Cote, the major points of the plan have been implemented
and have been deemed compliant. "We've been found fully in compliance
and are no longer under a timetable," Cote says. "However, nothing
precludes CMS from visiting again. If we slack off, they could find
us deficient again. We are now in the process of completing less
critical elements, dotting the I's and crossing the T's."
A seven-member Strategic Action Group (SAG) was formed to oversee
the improvements and issued its report to Public Health Commissioner
Christine C. Ferguson in June. "When the hospital plan of correction
was reviewed and accepted and the hospital was found in compliance,
the promised changes resonated with SAG's recommendations. The book
was closed. They had fulfilled their function," Cote adds.
Immediately following the most recent CMS inspection, Cote reports
that the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) placed Tewksbury Hospital "under a microscope." At the behest
of CMS, representatives from JCAHO visited the hospital and also
found the facility in compliance. "They recertified Tewksbury for
the maximum number of years possible," Cote says. "That was quite
a turnaround. I give credit to the staff."
"All in all we are still in the healing process, still working
to get people into place," Cote says. He commends the staff members
for their efforts to bring about positive changes. "People care
a great deal about the patients. We are committed to our mission.
It's why we can still deliver good quality healthcare, in spite
of all that's gone on," he says.
Although he has now moved into a new position as assistant secretary
for health services in Health Care Finance and Policy, Cote still
has significant contact with Tewksbury Hospital. He works closely
with Ellen Nelson, the assistant commissioner of public health,
in taking preventative measures to ensure the safety of patients
at all state-run hospitals.
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