GMH hoping CMS will reconsider fines

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - An inferno of concern rages on over the hospital's Skilled Nursing Unit in Barrigada Heights. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services lambasted the hospital for substantial federal violations it found after visiting the SNU in January. As a result, CMS imposed two "remedies" which included a $100 a day fine until corrective action is taken. And beginning April 26, CMS will no longer pay for new admissions.  

Interim hospital administrator Rey Vega said, "CMS still has the discretion if they determine us to be in full compliance to either decrease the penalty. So we're hoping that CMS will recognize our financial situation and having said that and determine that our plan of correction is in compliance, hopefully they will reconsider the fines."

As for new admissions, Vega is hopeful CMS will reconsider their decision not to pay beginning next month.  If they don't, the administrator says GMH will still accept new patients.  The CMS noted deficiencies that ranged from privacy and confidentiality concerns, issues with nursing care, infection control to Life Safety Code violations and administration and management concerns.

Vega says a team has been formed to address the concerns including a new medical director for the Skilled Nursing Unit, Dr. Randy Leon Guerrero. The hospital must submit its correction action plan by March 26.