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Tampa General Passes Inspection After Suicides

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2008

Tampa General Hospital psychiatric patients no longer are considered in imminent danger after a federal and state inspection that ended today.

"The surveyors informed us we had addressed all the issues and the immediate jeopardy no longer existed," hospital spokesman John Dunn said.

The findings come a little more than two weeks after federal health authorities warned the hospital it would lose its Medicare reimbursements if quick action wasn't taken to ensure patients' safety.

Two psychiatric patients committed suicide less than two days apart in July prompting an investigation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency, which oversees reimbursements of Medicare and Medicaid payments, threatened to yank its contract with Tampa General by Saturday.

The hospital stood to lose tens of millions of dollars in funding.

Officials submitted an 85-page corrective action plan last week that included the removal of doors to closets and bathrooms, which were used by patients to hang themselves. Video monitoring also was installed in all patient rooms, the dining room, television area and group therapy rooms.

Also, a nurse on duty now will be charged each shift to "monitor the environment of care, safety and door locks'' along with making unannounced assessments that will be reported daily to a manager.
Seven state surveyors spent the past four days making sure the plan was in place and working.

"No conditions were out of compliance," agency spokeswoman Lee Millman confirmed.

The hospital could undergo future inspections, Dunn said, "but the immediate jeopardy is lifted."

Ron Hytoff, the hospital's chief executive officer, would not comment on the plan, but the hospital's plan included this statement: "The Governing Body, Senior Management, Nursing Services, and the entire TGH community accept responsibility for the untoward events related to the care provided to our psychiatric patients and have put together a comprehensive plan that will restore the public trust by providing a safe environment for these patents."

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144 or sackerman@tampatrib.com

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