Press Release: The Not For Profit Hospital Corporation Announces Closure of United Medical Nursing Center

News Release — Not-for-Profit Hospital Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2020

CONTACT:

Toya Carmichael

On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the NFPHC Board voted in favor of the permanent closure of hospital’s skilled nursing home facility. The Board vote was made after careful consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, the current status of the former residents of the nursing home, and the future of public health east of the Anacostia River. 

The Board previously approved the transfer of all the skilled nursing home residents on April 13, 2020, in response to the hospital’s goal to decrease the spread of the coronavirus throughout the hospital and more specifically protect the vulnerable and high risk residents at UMNC, while simultaneously expanding its capacity to serve a surge of coronavirus patients per Mayor Bowser’s District Surge Plan.  To ensure a safe and comfortable transition for UMNC residents, the hospital established Temporary Transfer Teams consisting of discharge planning, transportation, and finance.  Additionally, prior to transfers, each resident was tested for coronavirus to ensure the receiving facility was not comprised and received current results for the transferred resident.  Resident transfers were successfully completed in May and the NFPHC has been in regular communication with residents and their families/guardians. 

To ensure the stability of the UMNC employees, the NFPHC offered employees temporary transfers to comparable positions within the hospital.  NFPHC employees formerly assigned to the skilled nursing facility are currently receiving training to update and expand their capabilities to work in various units throughout the hospital and have been notified of the Board’s decision to permanently close UMNC. 

“The Not for Profit Hospital Corporation is committed to evaluating our options to retain our skilled nursing facility employees.  Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic continues with no end in sight and we are not able to plan for a safe return of our nursing home residents” stated NFPHC Board Chairman LaRuby May.  This factor combined with the reality that the District’s plan for the New Hospital Project does not include the operation of a skilled nursing facility led the Board to determine that a vote for permanent closure was best for patient safety, employee stability, and the long term continuum of care plans for the community.    The NFPHC leadership will take actions consistent with the board vote in compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and legal/collective bargaining requirements. 

For more information on the district’s response to COVID-19 visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/.

For UMC specific inquiries contact: Toya Carmichael, VP of Public Relations / Corporate Secretary.