DPH launches new investigations into Central Mass. hospitals owned by Saint Vincent’s parent company

Photo | Grant Welker MetroWest Medical Center's Framingham Union Hospital

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has launched an investigation into three Central Massachusetts hospitals owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare following hospital-related incidents and complaints received by the Massachusetts Nurses Association labor union.

DPH began its onsite investigation into Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick following a hospital related incident on Aug. 23, launched its investigation into Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester on Sept. 12, and most recently, DPH began its investigation into Framingham Union Hospital on Sept. 23, wrote Katheleen Conti, DPH assistant director of media relations, in an email to WBJ on Oct 1.

DPH would not provide further comment on the investigations as they are ongoing, and Tenet Healthcare did not respond to WBJ’s request for comment regarding the investigations into Leonard Morse Hospital and Framingham Union Hospital, both part of MetroWest Medical Center.

Saint Vincent hospital refuted possible complaints leading to the hospital’s investigation in an Oct. 1 statement to WBJ. The hospital was previously investigated by the DPH earlier this year stemming from MNA complaints over safety, staffing, and union violations. The DPH wrapped its investigation in March with one minor finding against the hospital..

“Saint Vincent Hospital proudly delivers high-quality care. This has been substantiated by reputable third-party organizations and Saint Vincent has received numerous awards for its quality of care. Additionally, surveys completed earlier this year by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations did not substantiate any serious issues at that time. Our hospital leadership quickly addressed areas of opportunities identified. We are focused on providing access to high-quality healthcare services, and will not allow any unfounded attempts to discredit our institution distract us from caring for our community,” wrote Shawn Middleton, Saint Vincent communications and public relations manager, in an email to WBJ.

The investigation into Framingham Union Hospital comes after the MNA filed complaints to the DPH in September citing concerns over patient and staff safety, deficient hospital policies, and deliberately punitive management.

The MNA is encouraged by the DPH’s decision to investigate all three hospitals, wrote David Schildmeier, MNA director of public communications, in an email to WBJ.

“For months, we have been alerting the DPH of horrendous conditions, particularly at St. Vincent Hospital, and most recently at Framingham Union Hospital. The complaints are based on official reports filed in real time by nurses over the last nine months that highlight significant deficiencies in staffing, hospital policies, allocation of technology, and a deliberately punitive management culture that is resulting in dangerous delays in the administration of needed medications and treatments, preventable patient falls, and other complications, including preventable sentinel events,” Schildmeier wrote.

MNA hopes the DPH will take time to speak with hospital staff as part of its investigation, Schildmeier wrote.

“The nurses at all three facilities are ready and willing to meet with DPH investigator any time to address these serious concerns, and in fact, as the state did with the Steward hospitals during the recent safety crisis there, we have requested that the DPH station investigators at these facilities on a regular basis to ensure patients are receiving safe care. We also have extended an invitation in our complaints to the DPH commissioner to meet with the nurses in person to hear about these conditions and the impact it is having on their patients. As evidenced by the current investigations, the lives of patients are at stake,” he wrote.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.