The California Department of Public Health has fined 11 hospitals for noncompliance with requirements of licensure that have caused, or would be likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.
Each violation incurs a $25,000 penalty.
“Ensuring all Californians receive quality patient care is our top priority,” said CDPH Director Mark Horton. “We will continue to work with California hospitals to ensure our shared goal of excellence in patient care.”
Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation to significantly increase the fine for administrative penalties for violations or deficiencies constituting an immediate jeopardy to the health and safety of patients. The new law, which took effect Jan. 1, increases fines from $25,000 to $50,000 for the first violation.
These Iincidents occurred in 2008, before the new law took effect.
The hospitals received penalties are:
* Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object.
* Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital in Norwalk, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object.
* Kindred Hospital in Ontario, whiich failed to monitor a patient’s status and medical needs.
* Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object. The hospital was also penalized in 2008 for a potentially fatal medication overdose.
* Los Angeles County/University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object. In 2008, the hospital was penalized for failing to provide adequate nurse staffing to meet the needs of a patient. And earlier this year, a penalty was issued for the failure to follow surgical policy and procedure.
* Mendocino Coast District Hospital in Fort Bragg, which failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient by allowing inappropriately trained staff to provide nursing care.
* Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object.
* Saint John’s Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, which failed to follow its surgical services policies and procedure.
* Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center in Chula Vista, where a patient underwent a second surgery to remove a foreign object.
* Tri-City Hospital District in Oceanside, which failed to follow its policies and procedures for fall prevention.
* USC University Hospital in Los Angeles, which failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when laboratory test results were not communicated to other hospital personnel and providers. This penalty is being issued to the former licensee of the hospital, Tenet Healthsystem Hospital, Inc.
The administrative penalties were issued under authority granted by Health and Safety Code, section 1280.1, which took effect Jan. 1, 2007.
Upon conclusion of the investigation by CDPH, each cited facility is required to immediately implement a plan of correction to prevent future incidents. Facilities can appeal an administrative penalty by requesting a hearing within 10 calendar days of notification.