Four CA facilities fined for medical errors
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
August 27, 2008
Four California hospitals received the state's maximum fine of $25,000 for medical errors, one resulting in the death of a patient, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. That patient's death resulted when a nurse forgot to turn on a ventilator. The other incidents that resulted in patient harm include:
- Use of an anesthesia machine that did not work correctly which resulted in patients being awake and experiencing pain during surgery
- A patient fall during surgery, resulting in spinal, head, and shoulder injuries
- Allowing a nurse with a revoked license to care for patients and train other nurses
Since July 1, 2007, hospitals in California have been required to alert the state when an incident falling in one of 28 serious event categories occurs.
To read more, click here.
