The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) have found that, despite the progress we have made in implementing our plans of correction, some areas remain in condition-level compliance and it will take more time to make these changes. AHCA has requested a new plan of correction related specifically to infection control findings by early May and we anticipate an unannounced resurvey by AHCA sometime in May.

In addition, CMS has offered us the opportunity to enter into a Systems Improvement Agreement (SIA) in order to implement robust and sustainable systemic corrections and avoid termination of participation in the Medicare/Medicaid programs. As part of this agreement, we will collaborate and partner with CMS over the next 12 months. At that point, they will determine if any other next steps are required. Also as part of the agreement, in collaboration with CMS, JHACH will hire an independent consultant who will recommend, evaluate and monitor the implementation of these improvements.

We want to be clear that the Immediate Jeopardy status that was lifted in February remains lifted as a result of the hard work that has already gone into our corrective action plans.

We take these determinations very seriously, and we are dedicated to continuing to work closely with our regulators as we redouble our efforts around our culture of patient safety at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.