House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare Chairman Ralph DLG. Torres said so far two dialysis machines were installed at the new facility since Sept. 22.
Torres, R-Saipan, said the machines can treat at least 27 patients all at the same time once operational.
His committee reported there are 25 operational dialysis machines at the old hospital facility. All are more than nine years old.
“Although there are sufficient hemodialysis machines to treat all current dialysis patients, there is not enough staff to operate the existing dialysis units. There are 11 registered nurses, four licensed practical nurses, 12 patient care technicians and one nurse assistant,” the committee said.
“The existing dialysis unit does not have a social worker — temporary coverage only by CHC social worker. There is no renal dietitian,” it added.
The opening of the $22 million facility remains uncertain because of design flaws and its reverse osmosis water system that has yet to comply with federal standards.
The administration has sued the facility’s designer.
According to the committee, “The new hemodialysis physical structure meets all federal requirements. But there are certain parts of the unit that are being worked on to comply with all federal requirements like the water treatment aspect. The new hemodialysis unit has not been certified…. Medicare will not inspect the facility until all issues have been addressed in both the existing and new dialysis unit.”
The committee said Medicare “also does not just check the unit. It looks at the entire facility. That includes the governing body, the medical director, ensures that all staff is qualified and all key positions filled. Medicare will also assess how we can sustain to operate the new hemodialysis facility.”
