Ten hospitals in California were hit with administrative penalties totaling $700,000 due to medical errors.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued fines of $50,000 to $100,000 after it found that the facilities’ noncompliance with licensing requirements caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.
Under a state provision, 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 by the facility.
The ten hospitals and fines are:
1. Beverly Hospital: $50,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures regarding the treatment and care of a patient.
2. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital: $100,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures regarding the treatment and care of a patient.
3. Kaiser Foundation Hospital – Woodland Hills: $50,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures for safe distribution and administration of medication.
4. Loma Linda University Medical Center: $50,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures regarding the treatment and care of a patient.
5. Mark Twain Medical Center: $50,000 for failure to follow surgical policies and procedures.
6. Palomar Medical Center: $50,000 for failure to follow established policies and procedures regarding the treatment and care of a patient.
7. Rideout Memorial Hospital: $50,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures for safe distribution and administration of medication.
8. Southwest Healthcare: $100,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures regarding the treatment and care of a patient.
9. UCSF Medical Center: $100,000 for failure to follow policies and procedures for safe distribution and administration of medication.
10. University of California, San Diego Medical Center: $100,000 for failure to follow established policies and procedures regarding the safety of a patient.
Facilities are required to provide CDPH with a plan of correction to prevent future incidents, but they can appeal the fine. If a hearing is requested and the penalty upheld following an appeal, the penalties must be paid.