WARREN, Ohio – Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull has suspended operations and ceased admitting new patients following indications the Ohio Department of Health would revoke its license in mid-December.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, a spokesperson said Insight strongly disagrees with the assessment by ODH and clinical and facility care has been outstanding.
Insight intends to suspend operations until it is provided with a clear determination from ODH whether it will give full permission and support toward operating the hospital.
“The tumultuous Steward [Health Care System] bankruptcy significantly affected healthcare in Trumbull county, and in those difficult circumstances, Insight has done its best with a nonprofit approach to resurrect the hospital,” the spokesperson said in a written statement. “We have had tremendous support from exceptional public and governmental leaders and many dedicated employees, nurses and doctors who are championing a return to functionality of the hospital.”
However, the statement said regulatory hurdles and barriers from ODH affected the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certification even after affirming compliance with the state hospital license on Oct. 14 and prior to reopening.
Deb Bindas, AFSCME Council 8 regional director, said emergency room nurses and ancillary staff have been informed they are to vacate the hospital by 4 p.m. Wednesday. Maintenance workers will remain in the building. Bindas pointed out that nurses and others quit their other jobs to return to Insight and are now being sent home.
Insight took over operations of the hospital through the Steward bankruptcy but was forced to close it in late March, citing billing difficulties through the transition. The hospital reopened Oct. 14. CMS stopped Medicare and Medicaid payments Oct. 15.
ODH gave Insight 30 days from the letter dated Nov. 17 to request a hearing and address concerns.
The statement says Insight has submitted a response to ODH’s letter.
Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez said the county, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and U.S. Sen. Bernie Morino’s office were all optimistic in mid-October after meeting with Insight administration, including Insight founder and CEO Dr. Jawad Shah.
Hernandez said it was their understanding that Insight was spending $800,000 to $1 million to take care of any deficiencies at the hospital. He also said they spoke with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and believed the CMS situation was resolved at the time the hospital reopened.
Hernandez said he is now disappointed.
“There’s only so much the commissioners and mayors and a senator can do if the [hospital] administration cannot evidently bring the hospital up to par with the Ohio Department of Health,” he said.
Hernandez said keeping a hospital operating is contingent on having the Medicare and Medicaid license for billing purposes.
He indicated that if Insight is unable to operate the hospital, he is hopeful another hospital operator would be interested.