COLUMBUS (WBNS) – The federal government is walking back its previous threat to pull federal funding from Sequel Pomegranate – a teen psychiatric facility and acute hospital that has been mired by allegations of violence and sexual abuse.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had threatened to terminate Medicare funding from Sequel Pomegranate last month after inspectors there found the acute hospital portion of the facility failed to promptly do psychiatric and suicide risks assessments on teens there. Inspectors also noted that the facility had problems with doors that didn't latch properly and lacked a sufficient plan to address legionella threats.
Issues the use of physical restraints used on teens were also noted.
A letter from CMS sent to 10 Investigates late Thursday afternoon now says the hospital side of the facility is in compliance.
10 Investigates' stories exposing problems at Sequel Pomegranate has resulted plans of corrections being issued after a series of surprise inspections by various agencies – including Franklin County Children’s Services, Disability Rights Ohio and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.