A 60-bed unit in Osawatomie (Kan.) State Hospital passed a federal inspection, placing the facility one step closer to recertification from CMS, according to Lawrence Journal World.
Osawatomie State Hospital lost its Medicare and Medicaid certification in 2015 after federal inspectors uncovered numerous problems with patient safety, staffing levels and patient care. The lack of certification continues to cost Kansas an estimated $1 million per month in federal funding.
In an effort to regain certification the hospital was divided into two facilities: a 60-bed acute care unit and an 86-bed licensed facility. The state is hoping to regain certification for the 60-bed unit.
The agency in charge of the hospital, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, has recently considered privatizing the struggling state psychiatric hospital, although many state legislators oppose that proposal. KDADS Secretary Tim Keck said the department is weighing a bid from national mental health facility operation Correct Care Recovery Solutions of Deerfield, Fla. CCRS would rebuild and run the hospital, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports.
The hospital will need to pass one more state inspection, which could take place between 30 and 120 days, to ensure the hospital is upholding the necessary improvements to regain certification.