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No deficiencies found at UPHS-Marquette, report says

MARQUETTE, MI--   UPHS-Marquette is compliant with Medicare requirements.

That’s the finding of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, following an unannounced inspection in September. The health survey was conducted after hospital nurses submitted a report on staffing levels entitled “Misplaced Priorities: The Deteriorating Condition of Safe Patient Care at Duke LifePoint Upper Peninsula Health System-Marquette” in August.

The DHHS says it found zero deficiencies in its investigation on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Following the release of survey results UPHS-Marquette issued the following statement:

“In September, UPHS – Marquette was surveyed during an unannounced visit by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to claims made related to staffing and quality at the hospital. Late last week, we received the official findings of that survey and we are very pleased to report that the surveying authorities found zero deficiencies at our hospital. 

“It is noteworthy that while the primary focus of this survey was the subject of the complaints, any survey performed by regulatory authorities is comprehensive in order to ensure full compliance with accreditation standards. Numerous nurses and other staff were interviewed during the survey process, and scores of records were examined and analyzed. Receiving zero deficiencies from this team of highly experienced nurse surveyors is outstanding and a strong endorsement of the quality care being delivered daily at UPHS – Marquette. We know these results would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and tireless compassion of our employees, physicians and volunteers.

“It is our privilege to serve the healthcare needs of our community, and we will continue working to deliver the very best care to those we serve.”

In response, the following statement was issued by Stephanie DePetro, OR Nurse at UPHS Marquette and Chief Grievance Officer of the UPHS Marquette RN Staff Council/MNA:

“The Michigan Nurses Association has yet to receive any official notification regarding a state investigation of nurses’ complaints at UPHS Marquette, and we look forward to reviewing the full report and its methodology as it becomes available.  

“UP Health System Marquette nurses reported unsafe conditions to Duke LifePoint management on over 200 Assignment Despite Objection Forms between January 1 and August 24, documenting at least 783 consequences for patient care. Incidents of unsafe patient care were reported, including:

  • 111 cases of one or more IVs running dry or medicines being given late
  • 12 reports of one or more patient falls (4 in one day in one unit)
  • 259 reports of one or more nurses going without breaks, lunches or being mandated to work shifts that could be dangerous to patients (up to 16 hours)

“Common sense suggests that a proper investigation prompted by the ADO reports submitted to the state should include attempts to interview the nurses who filed the complaints. From what we understand so far, none of the nurses filing the ADO reports were contacted by state investigators regarding those documented incidents.
“Marquette nurses will continue to advocate for the highest quality of patient care, because hospital safety is not a simple pass/fail endeavor. We have documented hundreds of patient safety concerns, and at this time, we are not convinced that the state has adequately looked into those issues.”

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.