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After Tuesday’s visit by the Ohio Department of Health, Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull is facing another hurdle before being able to reopen its doors.
Ken Gordon, Ohio Department of Health's Press Secretary, sent 21 News a statement on Wednesday based on the inspection, which stated they found “several significant issues.”
“The Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) inspection of Insight Hospital and Medical Center Trumbull on Tuesday found several significant issues that need to be addressed before the hospital can re-open, to ensure the health and safety of patients. Insight will need to contact ODH once these issues have been addressed. At that point, we will conduct another inspection to verify the standards have been met,” the statement reads.
At the federal level, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued termination notices effective Oct. 10 for both Insight Trumbull and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital. The notices say the facilities are not in compliance with several Medicare conditions, including governing body, patient rights, and discharge planning, along with requirements under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
That means Medicare will not make payment for inpatient hospital services furnished to patients admitted on or after Oct. 10. For patients admitted before that date, payment may continue for up to 30 days of covered services.
Trumbull County Commissioner Chair Rick Hernandez told 21 News the delays are troubling for a community that depends heavily on Medicare. “We were cautiously optimistic a couple months ago, and there’s nothing more the commissioners want than to see these hospitals reopen. It’s a major need for our area, and it’s just very disheartening at this point,” Hernandez said.
In a statement to 21 News, an Insight spokesperson said the company is “communicating with CMS and assessing the pathways they require to allow reopening.”
The hospital was hoping to begin recalling workers following its closure six months ago, beginning with a phased reopening that included a 24-7 emergency department and both inpatient and outpatient services. A statement from Insight, released Friday, announced the plan to reopen following the health department’s review.
While no official date for reopening was provided, a source close to the matter said they hoped to have some employees back to work by Wednesday. That orientation was later postponed.
Insight took over the hospital in the wake of a bankruptcy declared by former owner Steward Health.
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