Broughton mental hospital denied appeal

Hospital will lose revenue source

A state mental hospital in Morganton has lost its final appeal to remain an accredited institution, imperiling its ability to bill private insurance companies for patient care.

The decision is a blow to Broughton Hospital, which had recently won back its ability to accept Medicare and Medicaid funds. The finding could also hurt the hospital's efforts to recruit qualified doctors and nurses.

The Joint Commission, a national group that certifies medical facilities, pulled Broughton's accreditation in December after an inspection triggered by the death of a patient who was being restrained by the staff.

The commission found hanging hazards, poor infection controls and other problems. The state appealed the denial, but it was informed last week that the revocation was upheld.

Thomas J. Mahle, who was named as the hospital's director in August, said Tuesday that he did not yet know how much revenue would be lost because of the decision. State taxpayers will have to make up the difference.

He predicted it would take four months to a year for Broughton to regain the accreditation.

All of the state's mental hospitals have gotten in trouble with outside investigators in the past year, for reasons ranging from questionable deaths and patient beatings to sloppy paperwork and erroneous billing.

Cherry Hospital, the state mental hospital in Goldsboro, lost federal funds last month after the death of a man who choked on his medication, hit his head and was then left sitting in a chair without food and water for 22 hours.

That hospital is also now facing the loss of its accreditation through The Joint Commission.