Universal Health Services controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Laurel Oaks patient-care lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in Alabama alleged that Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center mishandled incidents involving the assault of an eight-year-old resident. The action also referenced earlier allegations involving staff and patients at the facility.
2021
Universal Health Services sued over alleged hiring discrimination
Lawsuit filed
A former job applicant filed a lawsuit against Universal Health Services Inc., alleging that the company discriminated on the basis of disability and refused reasonable accommodation during its hiring process. The allegations are claims in the complaint, not a stated court determination.
Source excerpt
The applicant is suing for ADA discrimination and refusal to provide reasonable accommodation.
On Tuesday a case was filed in the Eastern District Court of Virginia. The case was filed by a former job applicant against Universal Health Services Inc. and alleged ADA discrimination in the healthcare company’s employment application process.
2021
Court allows UHS data-breach lawsuit to proceed for one patient
Ruling
A US district judge allowed one patient's lawsuit against Universal Health Services over the 2020 cyberattack and data breach to proceed, while dismissing two other plaintiffs' claims as too speculative.
Source excerpt
Claims made by two of the plaintiffs who said that the data breach had made them vulnerable to fraud and identity theft were dismissed by US District Judge Gerald McHugh as too speculative in an opinion filed Monday.
Sensitive data belonging to UHS was exfiltrated in September last year when the company was targeted by the Ryuk ransomware gang.
A lawsuit filed against an American healthcare provider over a 2020 data breach has been allowed to proceed, but only for one patient.
2020
False Claims Act settlement involving behavioral-health services
UHS and an affiliated facility agreed to pay $122 million to resolve allegations involving medically unnecessary inpatient services, excessive stays, inadequate treatment and documentation, staffing, restraint and seclusion, and alleged inducements. The settlement resolved allegations and was not an admission of liability.
2020
Universal Health Services reports ransomware attack affecting its systems
Issue disclosure
Universal Health Services confirmed that a ransomware attack affected internal computer systems at its locations beginning Sunday morning. The company said no patient or employee data appeared to have been accessed, copied, or otherwise compromised.
Company response
Remediation — Universal Health Services
The Fortune 500 company, which has 400 hospitals and clinics and 90,000 employees, said in a short statement posted to its website Monday that it is working “diligently with our IT security partners to restore IT operations as quickly as possible.”
Source excerpt
UHS said its “patient care continues to be delivered safely and effectively” and no patient or employee data appears to have been accessed, copied or otherwise compromised
Universal Health Services confirms that they were impacted by a ransomware attack over the weekend that has affected internal computer systems at their locations since Sunday morning.
UHS owns Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
2019
Cygnet and former Danshell facility concerns
UK regulatory findings and media reports raised concerns at particular facilities about unexplained injuries, restraint, ligature risks, unsafe conditions, and inadequate staff training.
2016
BuzzFeed investigation of psychiatric facilities
BuzzFeed reported allegations concerning involuntary confinement, understaffing, medication, patient safety, documentation, and extended stays at UHS psychiatric facilities. UHS denied the report's conclusions.
2012
Keystone Medicaid claims settlement
UHS subsidiaries paid more than $6.9 million to resolve allegations involving false Medicaid claims and deficient psychiatric treatment for adolescents at Keystone facilities.
2010
California hospital certification and licensing concerns
CMS threatened possible decertification of Rancho Springs Medical Center and Inland Valley Regional Medical Center, while California authorities warned of possible license action. UHS implemented corrective measures; the hospitals later passed a CMS survey and the threatened actions were withdrawn.