Federal agency highlights Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital deficiencies
Improper documentation. Lack of oversight to ensure employees carry out their responsibilities. Not enough information for patient follow-up care.
Those are among the findings highlighted in a report released Monday by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after a June investigation at Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas.
A separate report, also released Monday, pointed out the violations by the hospital with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA.
Late last week, Nevada officials questioned why the EMTALA regulations would apply to Rawson-Neal since the hospital doesn’t have an emergency department.
Rufus Arther, survey and certification branch manager for the federal agency’s Western Division, said the agency still plans to hold Rawson-Neal accountable for those violations.
“They hold themselves out to the public as providing emergency services,” he said.
Federal officials are now reviewing a plan of correction submitted by hospital officials and will conduct a follow-up inspection before Nov. 6 to ensure the hospital is in full compliance. If not, certification to participate in Medicare could be terminated.
Rawson-Neal lost its accreditation and was hit with a federal lawsuit in the aftermath of allegations of patient dumping after it discharged James F. Brown, 48, to Sacramento, Calif., in February with no support or family waiting for him.
Contact reporter Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.
