Patient's suicide try could cost mental hospital U.S. money

Central Regional officials reported a Feb. 26 suicide attempt to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. An investigation revealed deficiencies that if left uncorrected, could cost the hospital access to Medicare and Medicaid funds, CMS inspectors told hospital officials.

This marks the fourth time that CMS has threatened to withdraw federal funds since the hospital opened eight weeks ago.

Central Regional officials said they planned to quickly submit a plan of correction by a March 28 deadline. The hospital must also pass a re-inspection by then.

The hospital has not released any details of the suicide attempt or the deficiencies.

“We are taking this matter seriously, which is why we self-reported this incident to federal investigators,” said Lanier Cansler, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“The hospital has already taken quick steps to prevent a repeat occurrence," Cansler continued. "I will take whatever additional steps are necessary to correct the deficiencies that CMS identifies to ensure we have strong policies in place that are well-communicated to all our staff and that our hospital is safe.”

In September, however, a judge granted a temporary restraining order delaying the move of 170 adult patients from Dix, saying the likelihood of harm to patients outweighs the state's need to move patients.

Dix and Umstead are still open and operate as subsidiary campuses of Central Regional.