After Being Fined And Cited, Hospital Also Sued Over Patient’s Death
According to the lawsuit, Robert Hopkins suffered a total of nine falls from the time he was admitted to Valley Convalescent Hospital in June 2015 to his death on March 1.
Bakersfield Californian:
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Bakersfield Hospital In Connection With Patient's Death
An elder neglect and wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a Bakersfield hospital in the death of an 80-year-old Korean War veteran who fell from his bed after a nursing assistant failed to properly set a side rail, attorneys with Chain Cohn Stiles said Thursday. The lawsuit, filed Thursday against Valley Convalescent Hospital, comes a week after the facility received a $100,000 fine and Class AA Citation, the most severe penalty under state law, in connection with the death. (Kotowski, 7/27)
In other news from across the state —
Los Angeles Times:
Pasadena-Based Mental Health Agency To Provide More Direct On-Site Support For Magnolia Park Students
Pasadena-based mental health agency will provide more direct on-site educational support services for special-needs students enrolled at Magnolia Park School for the upcoming school year. The Burbank Unified School District contracted with Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services during a board meeting last week to provide services at Magnolia Park, which offers enrollment for elementary through high school students with significant behavioral and emotional challenges. (Vega, 7/28)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Plans Advance For New Health Care Center In Cloverdale
Plans for a new $16 million wellness center for Alexander Valley Healthcare advanced last week after the City Council approved an agreement to exclusively negotiate with the health center to sell a portion of the city-owned property to the nonprofit entity for an undisclosed price. The agreement will help the health center secure some grant funding for a long-planned new home and move out of a cramped facility serving a steadily growing number of patients. (Mason, 7/30)
Los Angeles Times:
Despite Complaints, Judge Says Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility Can Reopen
A state appeals court judge ruled Saturday that Southern California Gas Co. can resume operations at its Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, the source of the biggest methane leak in the country’s history. On Friday, L.A. County had been granted a temporary restraining order that would have halted the reopening. But a judge ordered the stay lifted on Saturday after the gas company filed a motion opposing the stay. (Karlamangla, 7/29)
San Jose Mercury News:
BART Employs Carrots, Sticks To Combat Homelessness On System
The airport has provided tokens for years to anyone who gets stranded at the end of the line, Yakel said. But, for the past seven or eight months, airport officials have been noticing an uptick in the number of homeless people with nowhere left to go when BART closes for the night. (Baldassari, 7/30)
East Bay Times:
For Bay Area Family Affected By Rare Disease, Renewed Hope
Matt Wilsey, Grace’s dad, is part of the prominent, wealthy Wilsey family of San Francisco. He’s also a tech entrepreneur familiar and comfortable with the startup life who also happens to have gigs at the White House and the Department of Defense on his resume. So when doctors told him and his wife, Kristen, that they weren’t sure what was wrong with their baby girl, his response wasn’t entirely traditional. “Jump into the deep end and start swimming,” he said. “I’m not going to sit on the edge and wait for the raft.” (Deruy, 7/30)
Bakersfield Californian:
Signs Of E. Coli Contamination Spur ‘Boil Water’ Advisory For Cal Water Customers In Central Bakersfield
California Water Service has issued a “boil water” advisory after it received positive test results for E. coli in one of its routine samplings Saturday morning. The affected area of the advisory is bordered by Drake Street on the north, Spruce Street on the east, 21st Street on the south and Oak Street on the west, affecting approximately 220 customers. (Meredith, 7/30)
San Jose Mercury News:
Make 'Em Bleed: Roller Derby Skaters Kick Off Blood Drive
Saturday’s “Make ‘Em Bleed’’ annual roller derby blood drive kicked off a series of summertime American Red Cross events scheduled nationwide in partnership with local roller derby teams during what is normally one of the toughest times of year for such donations. Created by ticketing company Brown Paper Tickets and Jerry Seltzer, the Sonoma-based son of the inventor of roller derby, the blood drive’s catchy title was enough to draw 59-year-old John Cook to the event at the Silver Creek Sportsplex near his Evergreen home. (Seipel, 7/29)
KQED:
Former Oakland Mayor Quan’s Medical Pot Shop Faces Fierce Opposition
A plan to open a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco’s Sunset District — put forth by former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and her husband, Floyd Huen — faces fierce opposition. Opponents filed an appeal with San Francisco’s Planning Commission yesterday. They argue that the dispensary would violate California law because it would be less than 600 feet from a preschool. (Hutson, 7/28)
The Desert Sun:
How Pure Is Coachella Valley Tap Water? Environmental Group's Guidelines Spark Debate
The Washington-based nonprofit [Environmental Working Group] collected data on local water tests from state agencies and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and said 267 contaminants were detected in drinking water supplies across the country, including 93 linked to increased risks of cancer, such as benzene, 1,4-dioxane and nitrates. For many cities across California, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the database lists carcinogens in the drinking water such as hexavalent chromium and trihalomethanes at levels within legal limits but exceeding EWG’s own “health guidelines." (James, 7/28)