HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview the hospital failed to meet the Condition of Participation for Governing Body as evidenced by failing to ensure the hospital was staffed and able to accept patients in need of inpatient psychiatric care. Findings:

An unannounced visit was made on 03/14/12 at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival an observation of the building revealed the building was occupied by two separate organizations. Facility "a" was occupied and staff were present. (which are not Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA staff)

Beginning on arrival at 9:30 a.m. on 03/14/12 attempts were made to access Behavioral Hospital of Southeast LA (Louisiana). Multiple attempts were made to gain access via the electronic call system and knocking on the locked doors that were marked as "Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA." There was no response and the hospital appeared to be without staff and empty.

In an interview on 03/14/12 at 10:08 a.m. with S4, employee at facility "a", she stated that she "noticed the parking lot had been empty since Thursday or Friday of last week." (Thursday March 8th, 2012 and Friday March 9th, 2012) S4 further stated that "there were a few people here Monday (March 12th, 2012) for a short period." S4 stated she had no further knowledge about Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA.

An observation through a window in the door was made on 03/14/11 at 10:12 a.m. in the kitchen that revealed the freezer/refrigerator door was open with a chair in the doorway. Access into this area was blocked by a locked door.

An observation at 03/14 at 10:12 a.m. of the rear entry door revealed it was open. The door was keypad protected but was left open.

At 10:58 a.m. it was noted that the "Admission" area, a common area outside of the locked unit, was now occupied. (One hour and 28 minutes after arrival)

The person in the Admissions area identified himself as S3, CRT (certified recreational therapist), an employee of Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA. In an interview on 03/14/12 at 10:58 a.m. S3CRT stated the hospital was "in the process of closing down." S3CRT further stated that "there was a meeting with staff yesterday and we were advised the hospital is shutting down." S3CRT stated he "was at the hospital to answer phones and today (03/14/12) was his last day." S3CRT stated "employees were not being paid. Two were scheduled for each shift."

On 03/14/12 at 10:59 a.m. S3CRT opened the locked unit of Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA. There was no nursing staff or patients in the hospital. Medical records of patients were noted in the nursing station.

At 11:00 a.m. S2RN arrived at the hospital and identified herself as the DON. In an interview with S2RN on 03/14/12 at 11:00 a.m. she stated "the hospital is having some problems right now, there is no money flowing in. Payroll on March 9th was missed and staff was last paid on February 24th. We cannot take any patient's because we have no staff." S2RN further stated "I cannot work for free. I am doing them a favor. They are trying to rearrange things. I don't think they want to close but I am not sure."

On 03/14/12 at 11:45 a.m. S1 arrived at the hospital and identified himself as the Administrator. S1 stated the hospital had no patients. S1 stated he "did not know what the plan was" for the hospital. S1 stated "things were going great then CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services) suspended payment. We cannot find out why." S1 stated all patients were properly discharged from the hospital. S1 stated that "staff was kept but today is the 1st day they (staff) did not show up." S1 then stated the "plan was to shut down. Most of the staff were let go. Those who were showing up are not being paid." S1 then stated that the plan is "to slow down due to non-payment (by fiscal intermediary) and to staff with 1 RN (Registered Nurse) when there are no patients."

Based on observation and interview the hospital failed to meet the Condition of Participation for Nursing Services as evidenced by:

1) failing to ensure there was a Registered Nurse (RN) on the premises and on duty at all times as evidenced by there being no staff present at the hospital on 03/14/12 at 9:30 a.m. (see findings at A0392)

Based on observation and interview the hospital failed to ensure there was a Registered Nurse (RN) on the premises and on duty at all times as evidenced by there being no staff present at the hospital on 03/14/12 at 9:30 a.m. Findings:

An unannounced visit was made on 03/14/12 at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival an observation of the building revealed the building was occupied by two separate organizations. Facility "a" was occupied and staff were present. (which are not staff of Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA)

Beginning on arrival at 9:30 a.m. on 03/14/12 attempts were made to access Behavioral Hospital of Southeast LA (Louisiana). Multiple attempts were made to gain access via the electronic call system and knocking on the locked doors that were marked as "Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA." There was no response and the hospital appeared to be without staff and empty.

In an interview on 03/14/12 at 10:08 a.m. with S4, employee at facility "a", she stated that she "noticed the parking lot had been empty since Thursday or Friday of last week." (Thursday March 8th, 2012 and Friday March 9th, 2012) S4 further stated that "there were a few people here Monday (March 12th, 2012) for a short period." S4 stated she had no further knowledge about Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA.

An observation through a window in the door was made on 03/14/11 at 10:12 a.m. in the kitchen that revealed the freezer/refrigerator door was open with a chair in the doorway. Access into this area was blocked by a locked door.

An observation at 03/14 at 10:12 a.m. of the rear entry door revealed it was open. The door was keypad protected but was left open.

At 10:58 a.m. it was noted that the "Admission" area, a common area outside of the locked unit, was now occupied. (One hour and 28 minutes after arrival)

The person in the Admissions area identified himself as S3, CRT (certified recreational therapist), an employee of Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA. In an interview on 03/14/12 at 10:58 a.m. S3CRT stated the hospital was "in the process of closing down." S3CRT further stated that "there was a meeting with staff yesterday and we were advised the hospital is shutting down." S3CRT stated he "was at the hospital to answer phones and today (03/14/12) was his last day." S3CRT stated "employees were not being paid. Two were scheduled for each shift."

On 03/14/12 at 10:59 a.m. S3CRT opened the locked unit of Behavior Hospital of Southeast LA. There was no nursing staff or patients in the hospital. Medical records of patients were noted in the nursing station.

At 11:00 a.m. S2RN arrived at the hospital and identified herself as the DON. In an interview with S2RN on 03/14/12 at 11:00 a.m. she stated "the hospital is having some problems right now, there is no money flowing in. Payroll on March 9th was missed and staff was last paid on February 24th. We cannot take any patient's because we have no staff." S2RN further stated "I cannot work for free. I am doing them a favor. They are trying to rearrange things. I don't think they want to close but I am not sure."

On 03/14/12 at 11:45 a.m. S1 arrived at the hospital and identified himself as the Administrator. S1 stated the hospital had no patients. S1 stated he "did not know what the plan was" for the hospital. S1 stated "things were going great then CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services) suspended payment. We cannot find out why." S1 stated all patients were properly discharged from the hospital. S1 stated that "staff was kept but today is the 1st day they (staff) did not show up." S1 then stated the "plan was to shut down. Most of the staff were let go. Those who were showing up are not being paid." S1 then stated that the plan is "to slow down due to non-payment (by fiscal intermediary) and to staff with 1 RN (Registered Nurse) when there are no patients."