King/Drew Medical Center Reforms Improving
Navigant Consulting, the firm hired in 2004 to oversee reforms at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, is in full compliance with 81% of 32 requirements listed in its contract with Los Angeles County, but other "key reforms" are still needed, according to a report by county auditors, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Navigant has helped recruit new administrators to the hospital and improved nursing policies and oversight at the hospital, auditors said. In addition, the consulting firm quickly investigated lapses in care and made the operating room more efficient, the report found.
However, Navigant has not fulfilled some terms of its $21 million contract, including:
- Hiring all of the full-time consultants promised;
- Completing competency assessments of all nurses;
- Ensuring that all King/Drew personnel have completed required paperwork; and
- Implementing specific recommendations it drafted as part of its work plan.
King/Drew has not yet reapplied for national accreditation (Ornstein, Los Angeles Times, 4/25). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.