Review Says Ohio Hospital Has Security Lapses

The government plans to end federal Medicare funding to a central Ohio hospital after inspectors said security lapses were serious enough to “pose immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety.”

But a spokeswoman at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe told media outlets on Wednesday that the hospital expects to avert the cut-off, set for April 27, by complying with security rules before then. She says policies that started last month include requiring visitor badges and updates to check-in procedures.

WBNS-TV in Columbus reports that an Ohio Department of Health review says a discharged patient in February took a nurse’s badge and stole medications from a secure unit. Officials say they found two areas with unsecured drugs and syringes in a March.

Medicare provides health insurance for those 65 and older.