Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston could lose its ability to participate in Medicare over concerns that it’s not providing adequate, safe care. The hospital was investigated after complaints in August about lack of infection control.
A state inspection found that surgical trays at the hospital were contaminated with an unidentified orange or yellow colored substance. Hospital staff told inspectors it was a prevalent issue that had been known for three years.
Inspectors also noted in their report that the hospital failed to ensure patient care areas were maintained in a “sanitary and serviceable condition.”
In a review of hospital board minutes, the inspectors found there were no discussions about infection control concerns during 13 meetings from July 2025 to July 2026.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a letter to Central Maine Medical Center CEO Allen Stefanek on Oct. 8, notifying him that although the hospital no longer poses an “immediate jeopardy” following improvements, it is still out of compliance. The hospital must submit a plan of correction. If it doesn’t achieve compliance, it could be terminated from Medicare by Jan. 6.
A spokesperson for CMMC said there’s no evidence that any instrument used in patient care was nonsterile or contaminated. The hospital said it takes the findings seriously and has made improvements to its policies and processes.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.