Clinic that treated Joan Rivers loses accreditation

NEW YORK -- The New York City clinic where Joan Rivers suffered a fatal complication during a medical procedure is losing its accreditation at the end of the month, a federal agency said Monday.

"Yorkville Endoscopy no longer meets the conditions for a supplier of ambulatory surgical center services," the Centers for Medicare Services said in a statement. As of Jan. 31, the Manhattan medical facility will no longer be eligible to receive federal funds for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Rivers, the groundbreaking and tart-tongued comedian who crashed the male-dominated realm of late-night talk shows and starred with her daughter on E! in "Fashion Police," died Sept. 4 at age 81. The city's medical examiner found she died of brain damage due to lack of oxygen when she stopped breathing during an endoscopy days earlier.

A message left at Yorkville Endoscopy seeking comment on Monday was not immediately returned. The clinic said in a statement it was continuing to work with all regulatory bodies, but suggested it may appeal, the New York Times reported.

"We intend to communicate with CMS and appropriate authorities to have the decision reversed. Yorkville continues to be a licensed facility and perform procedures while cooperating with the regulatory process," according to the statement.

The clinic had presented a plan to correct problems uncovered during an investigation after her death. However, the CMS said Monday that Yorkville remained deficient in four areas, including "surgical services; quality assessment and performance improvement; governing body and management; and environment."

Rivers' death was classified as a therapeutic complication, and no negligence was alleged in the federal report.

In October, Rivers' daughter, Melissa Rivers, hired a prominent malpractice attorney to pursue a separate investigation.

"In order to fully determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Joan Rivers, we confirm that our firm has been engaged by Melissa Rivers and her family," Ben Rubinowitz, a partner at the firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman, Mackauf, Bloom & Rubinowitz, said in a statement at the time.

Reuters reported that the investigation could result in a civil suit against the clinic.