D.C. hospital is commited to quality

USA TODAY’s article “Sewage leaks plague official D.C.’s go-to hospital” was a disservice to its readers and our dedicated teams who, for decades, have supported the nation’s capital in every major crisis — from the 9/11 tragedy at the Pentagon to the Navy Yard shooting.

It’s especially disappointing that the article exploits the injuries and treatment of Lousiana Rep. Steve Scalise to imply that a minor plumbing leak put the congressman and other patients at risk. The MedStar team handled the incident immediately and effectively, involving an outside company to certify the room was safe for patient care. Notably, the independent Joint Commission and D.C. Department of Health regularly and rigorously inspect every inch of our hospital, and we are fully accredited.

Finally, MedStar Washington Hospital Center is financially strong. Even when we’ve faced budget strains (as most hospitals do) we’ve invested in programs to improve quality and safety. We will never waver from this vitally important commitment to our patients and the nation’s capital. John Sullivan President MedStar Washington Hospital Center Washington, D.C.