Louisville, KY-based Baptist East may have averted loss of Medicare

Medicare has accepted Louisville, KY-based Baptist Hospital East's plan to correct problems cited in connection with a patient's hanging death, a step toward keeping Medicare funds flowing to the hospital. Medicare notified Baptist East on Nov. 28 that it would stop reimbursing the hospital for inpatient care unless conditions that "pose an immediate and serious threat" to patients were corrected. Baptist East gave Medicare a plan to change procedures for patients who are suicide risks, and Medicare informed Baptist East that the plan is acceptable. A final decision will depend on a check by state inspectors.