Date: 5/20/2010
Number: 10-036
Contact: Al Lundeen (916) 440-7259
SACRAMENTO
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that nine California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties after a determination that the facilities' noncompliance with licensing requirements has caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.
The following hospitals received penalties:
1. Alameda County Medical Center, Oakland, Alameda County. The hospital failed to implement its established policies and procedures for the safe distribution and administration of medication. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $75,000.
2. Hi-Desert Medical Center, Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
3. Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, Marin County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
4. Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo, Orange County. The hospital failed to implement its established policies and procedures for the safe distribution and administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
5. Parkview Community Hospital, Riverside, Riverside County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its informed consent and surgical policies and procedures. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
6. Pomerado Hospital, Poway, San Diego County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its policies and procedures for fall prevention. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
7. Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, San Diego County. The hospital failed to implement its established policies and procedures for the safe and effective administration of medication. This is the first administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
8. Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, San Diego County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the third administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
9. Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, San Diego County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures for equipment cleaning. This is the fourth administrative penalty issued to this hospital. The penalty is assessed at $75,000.
10. Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, San Diego County. The hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its surgical policies and procedures. This is the second administrative penalty issued to this facility. The penalty is assessed at $50,000.
Administrative penalties are issued under authority granted by Health and Safety Code section 1280.1. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that took effect January 1, 2009 that increased fines for 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. Penalties issued prior to 2009 are not counted in this total.
When hospitals receive their survey findings, they are required to submit to the department a plan of correction to prevent future incidents. Hospitals can appeal an administrative penalty by requesting a hearing within 10 calendar days of notification. If a hearing is requested, the penalties are to be paid if upheld following appeal.
All hospitals in California are required to be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing general acute care hospitals. The hospitals are required to comply with these standards to ensure quality of care.