First-Ever Fines Issued for Failure To Report Infections
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has issued fines of $101,485, $31,520 and $2,710 to Alta Bates Sutter Medical Center, the Oakland Police Department and the Oakland Fire Department, respectively, for failing to report a patient with bacterial meningitis and protect staff members. The fines are the first issued under a new state law that requires medical and safety personnel to report infectious airborne diseases.
- "State Regulators Cite Oakland Hospital, Police and Fire Departments" (Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times, 4/20).
- "State: Oakland Hospital, Police and Fire Violated Procedures in Life-Threatening Meningitis Outbreak" (Contra Costa Times, 4/20).
- "Meningitis Exposure Leads to Fines in Oakland" (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 4/20).