Nine California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties after the California Department of Public Health determined that the facilities' noncompliance with licensing requirements has caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.
The hospitals were penalized under legislation that took effect January 1, 2009, which increased fines for patient safety incidents that occurred in 2009 or later. Under the new provisions, an administrative penalty carries a fine of $50,000 for the first violation, $75,000 for the second, and $100,000 for the third or subsequent violation at the same hospital.
The following hospitals received penalties:
- Alameda County Medical Center, Oakland, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $75,000.
- Hi-Desert Medical Center, Joshua Tree, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Parkview Community Hospital, Riverside, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Pomerado Hospital, Poway, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
- Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $75,000.
- Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, Calif. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
When hospitals receive CDPH survey findings, they are required to submit to the department a plan of correction to prevent future incidents.