MD Anderson under federal investigation

A view of the outside of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Tuesday the cancer center would acquire its 60,000-square foot manufacturing facility in Houston. A view of the outside of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Tuesday the cancer center would acquire its 60,000-square foot manufacturing facility in Houston. Photo: Houston Chronicle Photo: Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close MD Anderson under federal investigation 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

MD Anderson Cancer Center is in violation of serious hospital requirements for patient care and safety, according to the federal government, and the hospital has been notified it will come under more aggressive government oversight in the aftermath of an adverse event involving a blood transfusion.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services noted the deficiencies earlier this month in letters and reports issued following investigations conducted at MD Anderson after the cancer center reported the event in December. The center is currently working on a plan of corrective action.

"These deficiencies have been determined to be of such a serious nature as to substantially limit your hospital's capacity to render adequate care," one of the letters said.

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MD Anderson officials would not say whether the event was a patient death.

The notice came as a shock because of MD Anderson's sterling reputation, highlighted by its routine No. 1 rankings in U.S. News & World Report's annual survey of best hospitals. Patient care and safety are key components of that ranking.

Follow this story and Todd Ackerman's reporting on houstonchronicle.com