CMS cites UnityPoint-Meriter for 7 deficiencies after infant abuse allegations

A CMS investigation sparked by infant abuse allegations exposed seven deficiencies at Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health-Meriter, according to a report released by the federal agency April 3 and cited by Wisc-TV.

The initial investigation into the reports of unexplained injuries to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit found an "immediate jeopardy" deficiency. This means the federal agency found a situation where noncompliance with a federal standard has caused or is likely to cause serious injury, harm or death to a patient. The report released April 3 shows this immediate jeopardy deficiency was corrected March 1.

In the report released April 3, CMS officials detail several other deficiencies, including improperly tracking or documenting patient injuries, failure of medical personnel to take responsibility for quality care and failure to follow administrative responsibilities to ensure patient care. Meriter was also found in violation of ensuring a safe care setting, infringing on patient rights and keeping patients free from abuse. Lastly, the hospital was found to be out of compliance with the quality assessment program requirement, because it did not have one.

CMS released the full report of deficiencies more than a month after the investigation because they received and approved a plan of correction from Meriter, which legally releases the documents.

"We remain keenly focused on nurturing and protecting the health of all our patients and delivering the high-quality care we have provided to our community for the last 120 years," Meriter spokesperson Jessika Kasten told Wisc-TV.

Meriter suspended a nurse Feb. 8 in response to the investigation and abuse allegations.

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