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Women who planned on delivering babies at D.C.’s only hospital east of the Anacostia River in the next 90 days will have to make new arrangements.
The D.C. Department of Health is restricting United Medical Center’s license for delivering babies and providing newborn nursery services, according to a release from spokesperson Tom Lalley on Tuesday. The ban will remain in place for 90 days “or until the hospital implements its plan for obstetrics and nursery services.”
UMC released a statement on Wednesday saying that the shutdown is due to three separate cases involving deficiencies in screening, clinical assessment, and delivery protocols. Though they did not give details about the incidents, officials say they’re “taking immediate action to address these deficiencies.”
They’ve also begun working to make sure all physicians and nursing staff have appropriate training in policy and procedures.
Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, who has been advocating for a new east-of-the-river hospital for years, released a statement after learning about the restriction through the health department’s public statement.
“Communication by the Executive Branch has been unacceptably non-existent,” Gray said, explaining why he couldn’t comment on whether halting the services was the correct decision. UMC had not given a reason for the shutdown at that time.
Gray, who is chair of the D.C. Council’s committee on health, said that he’s “incredibly concerned” that residents in Ward 7 and 8 no longer have an option to have their babies delivered on their side of town.
The restriction comes as the half-century old hospital contends with financial and infrastructure problems that have plagued the facility for years. Once called the Greater Southeast Community Hospital, D.C. bought the struggling facility at auction (there were no other bidders) for $20 million in 2010. Amid plans for Howard University and a partner to take over operations, then-Mayor Gray proposed replacing the hospital in 2014, but neither plan took off.
In 2016, the hospital board voted to approve a site selection study, and the D.C. Council has since dedicated $300 million for a new hospital on the St. Elizabeths campus in the city’s FY18 budget.
“However, a time horizon of 2023 is still too long for a new hospital to open, and it is imperative that we advance funds forward in the next budget cycle or through supplemental budgets,” Gray said. “I hope that this unfortunate situation today finally shines the spotlight on the inadequacy of health care services for East End residents and brings a long overdue sense of urgency from the District’s elected leaders on the issue of health equity.”
Gray is hosting a public roundtable on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Wilson Building to be update the council and the public on progress towards remedying the deficiencies.
Based on health department data, D.C. has enough hospital beds to accommodate UMC patients. During the 90-day period, UMC officials say they’ll coordinate alternative services for their current obstetric patients, recommending Providence Hospital in Ward 5 as “the most accessible” option.
They also recommend seven other facilities west of the Anacostia River and in Prince George’s County.
All other health services at UMC are not affected.
This post has been updated to include information about Councilmember Gray’s public roundtable on Friday.
