By MATT LIEBERGER, Associated PressN.
Y., Nov. 11 (AP) A hospital in New York is no more.
A New York judge ruled Thursday that the Abington hospital was no longer accredited to be a Level 1 medical facility under New York state’s new regulations.
“We are absolutely, 100 percent convinced that this was a case of negligence and mismanagement on the part of the hospital and we have no choice but to appeal this ruling,” said attorney Joseph B. Schoenbaum.
The hospital is still listed on the state’s National Registry of Accreditation, which is required by law to make sure facilities like it are not a violation of standards.
But the hospital’s owner, the City of New York, was not pleased with the ruling.
“This was an unfortunate decision, but we believe it is a win for New York,” said Abington Mayor Scott Gage.
“The city has always maintained that we have a duty to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers.
This decision has made clear that we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our residents and staff, as well as our visitors.”
The Abington Medical Center is a privately owned medical center in New Jersey.
The New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) was considering rescinding the accreditation when it received a complaint in April that Abington was failing to maintain safe and sanitary conditions.
The hospital has been on the National Registry for more than 20 years.
It was the first in the country to accredit a Level 5 medical facility in the early 2000s.
The city was also considering rescissioning the accreditations of the Abinton Medical Center and the New York Hospital of St. Luke’s in Brooklyn.
Both were accredited in 2017.
Gage said that New York’s new rules have created “a dangerous situation for all New Yorkers” and have cost taxpayers $300 million.
He said he hopes the appeals court upholds the decision.
He also said the ruling is a setback for patients.
Abington is one of several medical facilities in the state that are on the registry.
Some hospitals that were not considered Level 5 were placed on the Level 2 list in April 2017 after a complaint that they were failing to provide adequate medical care to patients.
The New York Medical Society says it was aware of the complaints and is working with Abington to improve patient safety and patient safety oversight.