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Vermont State Hospital loses CMS certification

Hospital Safety Connection, February 3, 2005

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The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) snatched Vermont State Hospital's certification and funding this week citing safety concerns, the Times Argus.

The disappearance of two patients from the Waterbury facility last week reportedly prompted CMS's decision. One of the patients returned to the facility on his own. However, the other patient was still missing as of Wednesday.

As a result of the decertification, the state will lose nearly $3.1 million in funding in the coming years, which will accelerate the hospital's closure.

"This situation is entirely unacceptable," Gov. James Douglas told the Argus. "The problems are so severe and so systemic, that nothing short of total reform will be acceptable."

The governor said he plans to close the hospital within the next four years.

The decertification comes 60 days after the hospital regained certification after having lost it for 14 months. CMS originally took away the hospital's Medicare and Medicaid funding after patients received improper care.

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