LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Saint Joseph London has until Sept. 9, 2012 to submit a corrected plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to regain hold on their Medicare certification before their 23-day pending period comes to a close.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently notified the facility they will not make payments to the hospital for services to patients on or after Monday, September, 9, 2012. 

“We have 23 days to get our plan together and submit it, and they will do a review,” said Sharon Hershberger, public affairs director for Saint Joseph London.  “We have every belief that we will be compliant at that point.”

The hospital’s citation is in regard to an isolated emergent situation, where CMS conducted a survey and followed up with a patient who had a changing medical condition. CMS determined Saint Joseph London was not in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations 482.23, title 42 Nursing Services.

The regulations requires organized 24-hour nursing services and have current licensure as a rural hospital to have a waiver to disregard the requirement of having a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse on duty at all times.

All drugs and biologicals must be administered by, or under supervision of nursing or other hospital personnel in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations — including blood transfusions and intravenous medications.  A hospital procedure must be required for reporting transfusion reactions, adverse drug reactions and errors in administration of drugs.

The non-compliance notice stated that patients of Saint Joseph London who were serviced prior to Sept. 9 will have continued payment for a maximum of 30 days for services.  Payment is specifically limited to covered services through the close of business Sept. 9.  If the hospital regains hold on their Medicare certification, all patients with Medicare will have no change to their payment plans.

“We work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as partners," Hershberger said.  “Reviews like this are an important part of the process of ensuring excellence and making certain that not just Saint Joseph London — but all — healthcare facilities continually improve and employ best practices.  As part of our continuing effort to provide the safest care possible for our patients, we are submitting a plan of correction to CMS.”