Eureka Springs Hospital is no longer in jeopardy of having its Medicare agreement terminated, a surveyor with the Arkansas Department of Health said in an email to hospital officials on Thursday, Feb. 6.
In the email, ADH registered nurse surveyor Suzanne Yarberry writes that the hospital has been taken off “Condition Level” for deficiencies noted in November surveys of the facility. Yarberry writes that the hospital will receive a new form from the Department of Health listing “Standard Level Deficiencies.”
The hospital will then have 10 calendar days to submit a Plan of Correction, Yarberry’s email says. The email was sent to Jodi Edmondson, the hospital’s human resources director and acting chief executive officer, and Lana Mills, director of nursing and clinical services.
“So, at this point you will not be on a track for termination of your Medicare,” Yarberry writes in the email. The hospital had been notified that its Medicare agreement was in jeopardy in a Nov. 26, 2024, letter written by David Mitchum, a program manager for health facility services with the ADH.
“To participate in the Medicare program, a provider must comply at all times with the Conditions of Participation/ Coverage established pursuant to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act,” Mitchum wrote. “On the basis of the deficiencies cited at Eureka Springs Hospital Commission on November 7, 2024, your facility is not in compliance with these regulations. We recommend that you notify your Governing Body and/ or owners that termination of your Medicare agreement may result.”
The hospital had submitted plans to correct the issues identified in reports on the November surveys.
Mayor Butch Berry told the city council at its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, that the hospital “is now in compliance with all the CMS regulations.”
COUNCIL CONCERNS
During council member comments at the Feb. 10 meeting, council member Harry Meyer had expressed his disappointment at news that the hospital had terminated its agreement with Emergency Staffing Solutions, the company that the hospital had partnered with since October 2023 to run its emergency room.
Meyer noted that Sandy Martin, chair of the Eureka Springs Hospital Commission, had spoken to the council at its Jan. 27 meeting but made no mention of any issues with ESS.
Dr. Gary Parkhurst, who had served as medical director and emergency room chief of staff and had worked at the hospital for 10 years, told the Times-Echo last week that he was barred from entering the hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
“[Martin] didn’t mention that they were going to fire a longstanding medical director and another staff member that’s been there 15 years.” Meyer said. “They’re just gutting the place.”
Council member Terry McClung suggested that Berry check the hospital’s bank accounts to confirm the accuracy of financial reports presented to the council.
“I just thought it might be a good idea for you to check with the banks and confirm all that,” McClung said, “just to … if you tell me the money’s there, I believe you.”
“As far as I know, the money’s there,” Berry responded.
“Well, that’s why I say, maybe you might call the bank and just, I don’t know. Maybe it’s being a little bit overprotective, but sorry.”
PROTEST PLANNED MONDAY
Meanwhile, a protest is planned for Monday, Feb. 17, in connection with complaints by current and former employees of a what they have described as a “hostile” and “toxic” workplace environment at the hospital. The protest is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at The Auditorium, where the hospital commission is scheduled to hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m. The plan is for protesters to gather in a meeting room at the Carnegie Public Library at 6 p.m., with current and former employees encouraged to speak.
