Henrico Doctors Hospital Faces Scrutiny Over Hidden Inspection Results

Confidential hospital inspections leave patients with limited ability to research safety records before choosing care.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A CBS6 investigation has uncovered that hospital inspection results in Virginia are not publicly available, despite a nurse at Henrico Doctors Hospital being convicted of breaking the bones of 9 premature babies between 2022 and 2024. The Joint Commission, the nation's largest hospital accreditor, keeps its inspection findings confidential, citing patient privacy and ongoing investigations. This lack of transparency leaves patients with little ability to research a hospital's safety record before choosing where to receive care.

Why it matters

The confidentiality of hospital inspection results is a growing concern, as it prevents patients from making informed decisions about their healthcare. This issue is particularly troubling in light of the serious incidents that occurred at Henrico Doctors Hospital, where a nurse was convicted of harming vulnerable infants. The public deserves access to information that could help them avoid hospitals with a history of safety issues or misconduct.

The details

In Virginia, the Department of Health is required to inspect hospitals every two years, but these inspection findings are not published online and can only be obtained through public records requests. The Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, also keeps its inspection results confidential. This lack of transparency has been an ongoing issue, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing a rule in 2017 to require private accreditors to publicly detail problems found during inspections, but the proposal was withdrawn after facing backlash from the healthcare industry.

  • In 2022-2024, a nurse at Henrico Doctors Hospital was convicted of breaking the bones of 9 premature babies.
  • In September 2023, a hospital lawyer told Child Protective Services that the hospital had contacted the Joint Commission to report 4 NICU babies with fractures.
  • On May 3, 2025, Henrico Doctors Hospital was accredited by the Joint Commission.

The players

Henrico Doctors Hospital

A hospital in Richmond, Virginia where a nurse was convicted of breaking the bones of 9 premature babies between 2022 and 2024, and where a MRSA outbreak persisted in the NICU for 3 years.

The Joint Commission

The nation's largest hospital accreditor, which contracts with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to inspect hospitals and determine if they meet federal standards. The Joint Commission keeps its inspection findings confidential.

Lisa McGiffert

A patient safety advocate with the Patient Safety Action Network, who argues that the lack of transparency around hospital inspections is a problem that prevents the public from making informed decisions about their healthcare.

Christopher Lindsay

The former Chief Operating Officer for the Virginia Department of Health, who stated that 99% of Virginia hospitals have been appropriately surveyed by CMS and other designated bodies, despite the lack of state-level inspections.

Senator Tim Kaine

A U.S. Senator from Virginia who has committed to looking into the issue of transparency around hospital inspection results.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Congress is looking into the issue of transparency around hospital inspection results, with Senator Tim Kaine committed to addressing this problem.

The takeaway

The lack of public access to hospital inspection results is a significant barrier to patients making informed decisions about their healthcare. This issue raises concerns about patient safety and the potential for hospitals to avoid accountability for serious incidents or ongoing problems. Increased transparency is needed to empower patients and hold the healthcare industry accountable.