Latest Inspection Finds That Problems Persist at UC-Irvine Medical Center
Last week, inspectors found that UC-Irvine Medical Center remains out of compliance with federal standards to participate in Medicare, the Orange County Register reports (Perkes, Orange County Register, 11/6).
Inspectors first warned the hospital that it could lose its eligibility to participate in Medicare after an inspection in May found problems at the facility, including anesthesiologists filling out surgical records before procedures were complete (California Healthline, 9/26).
Dr. David Bailey, vice chancellor for health affairs, said officials surveyed the entire hospital for compliance and that UCI Medical Center would "respond to any deficiencies."
CMS spokesperson Jack Cheevers said hospital officials would be asked to submit a correction plan once they receive the most recent inspection report detailing problems at the facility. If the agency accepts the correction plan, officials will conduct another inspection.
According to Cheevers, most hospitals resolve problems and do not lose eligibility for Medicare funds (Orange County Register, 11/6).
In the last fiscal year, state records show that Medicare accounted for about 26% of UCI Medical Center's gross revenue, totaling about $124 million (California Healthline, 9/26). 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.