JFL Staff “Threw Out The Remains Of A 22-Week Fetus,” CMS Report Claims

The Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Juan F. Luis Hospital suggested in a press conference last Friday he was surprised by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to pull its support and stop making medicare and medicaid payments to the hospital. However the 112-page report released by CMS paints an entirely clear picture as to why it chose to withdraw itself from the hospital.

The report ranges from malpractice cases to administration deficiencies and more, but arguably the most glaring example of negligence and disarray at the hospital is how staff treated a 22-week fetus.

According to the CMS report, “On April 14, 2014, it was reported to CMS that hospital staff threw out the remains of a 22 week fetus either in the laundry or rubbish.”

In another incident, which took place on April 10, 2014, the report states “a newborn infant was born via caesarian section. The baby was admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit due to hypoglycemia and an intravenous infusion was started. The patient received intravenous fluids where the antibiotic, gentamycin, may have infiltrated and caused ischemia (vascular compromise) to the right forearm and fingers. The baby, Patient #6, was transferred to an off island hospital to the care of a pediatric vascular surgeon.”

Since receiving a copy of the report, the VI Consortium has extensively covered the unfolding story and is currently trying to reach Dr. Kendall Griffith for a statement.

At a press conference held last Friday, Griffith said, “I do not believe we should have received decertification. I will have that feeling until the day I die. It was wrong.”