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CMS probe cites deficiencies at Maine hospital
Quality Improvement Monitor, February 8, 2008
A CMS investigation into the death of a 61-year-old man who was found dead in a snow bank the day after his discharge has found the Down East Community Hospital in Machias, Maine failed to comply with Medicare's Conditions of Participation, according to the Bangor Daily News.
CMS' statement of deficiencies also said that physicians failed to follow hospital policy concerning discharge of patients and that the nursing staff did follow policies on suicide precautions and discharge of patients, the paper said.
The report said when the patient was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 28, 2007, he had been suffering from abdominal pain for months and showed signs of anxiety and depression. He was also taking pain-killers, sedatives and anti-depressants. On New Year's Eve, he was "getting Demerol every hour and requesting it adamantly," the Bangor Daily News said. He also told a nurse he wanted to get a gun to kill himself because of the pain he was experiencing.
The next night, the patient pulled out his IV tubes and told the nurse he wanted to be discharged. His physician was called and authorized the release. The next morning the patient was found dead under a snow bank near the hospital.
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