University of Virginia Health System

CMS LIFTS IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY STATUS FROM U.VA. MEDICAL CENTER

University of Virginia officials announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration, has lifted the immediate jeopardy status from the Medical Center. The Medical Center expects to receive official notification from CMS by July 3. This means that CMS will not terminate Medicare funding for the University's Medical Center, and there will be no break in coverage for Medicare patients.

The Medical Center was put into immediate jeopardy following CMS's findings that it was not in compliance on issues relating to the protection of patients, stemming from allegations of sexual assault on the psychiatric unit. The Center submitted a 14-page corrective action plan to CMS on Thursday, June 21. On Monday, a team of CMS inspectors began its review of the Center's plan, and today determined that the Medical Center has addressed its concerns regarding patient health and safety.

We are pleased that the immediate jeopardy status has been removed, said Leonard W. Sandridge, U.Va.'s executive vice president and chief operating officer. The entire staff of the Medical Center has worked hard to correct the problems identified by CMS. All of us want to assure our patients and families that we are absolutely committed to sustaining the highest quality patient care and safety at the Medical Center. Our community and the Commonwealth deserve nothing less.

The six-member team from CMS and the Virginia Department of Health continues to evaluate the Medical Center's compliance with remaining Medicare requirements. A full hospital survey is expected to continue for five to seven days. The results are not expected for at least another week.

We will not be satisfied until we have met the expectations of CMS on all fronts, Sandridge said. The announcement today is but one step in our ongoing commitment to provide a safe, protective environment for all who use our services. We are expanding our internal education efforts, instituting new review practices and carefully monitoring all that we do. Recent incidents have only strengthened our resolve to protect our patients and provide the best possible care.

June 27, 2001