HospitalInspections.org

Based upon review of the listed Medical Staff Physicians, contracts for the provision of laboratory and radiological services, and staff interviews, the governing body failed to ensure the contract Pathologist, responsible for interpreting laboratory results, and the contract Radiologist, responsible for interpreting radiological results, were members of the hospital's Medical Staff. Findings:

Review of the list of physicians on the hospital's Medical Staff revealed there failed to be documented evidence the contract Radiologist and contract Pathologist were members of the hospital's Medical Staff.

Review of the contract with Hospital A, dated 8/26/03 and updated annually, revealed Laboratory and Radiology were provided by contract. Further review of the contract revealed in part "2. Ancillary Services and Supplies: 1. A. The laboratory director shall be a pathologist or other doctor of medicine or osteopathy with training and experience in clinical laboratory services, or a laboratory specialist with a doctoral degree in physical, chemical, or biological sciences, and training and experience in clinical lab services." and "3. Radiology and other Imaging Services. Host Hospital (Hospital A) shall provide, upon request by (Louisiana Extended Care Hospital of Natchitoches-LECHN) and to the extent available, radiological and other diagnostic imaging services available at Host Hospital as ordered by a member of (LECHN's) Medical Staff for a (LECHN) patient..."

Interview with S1 Administrator, and S3, Director of Nursing on 11/07/13 at 11:10 p.m. revealed when asked if the Radiologist and Pathologist from Hospital A were members of the Medical Staff, both replied "no".