Hospital Fined $50,000 For Medical Errors That Caused Patient’s Death
In other hospital news, a California-based chain is sued over its use of an automated-dialer for bill collection, and Petaluma Health Center gets federal help in recruiting top doctors.
The San Diego Union Tribune:
Hillcrest Hospital Fined For Patient Death
The California Department of Public Health fined Vibra Hospital of San Diego nearly $50,000 Thursday for medical errors that caused a patient’s death in 2014. According to a report released by the department, nurses and respiratory technicians ignored alarms and multiple electronic pager notifications that started about 3:30 a.m. on May 4, 2014, after part of a female patient’s ventilator became disconnected during her stay at the long-term care facility on Washington Street in Hillcrest. (Sisson, 1/28)
Modern Healthcare:
Hospital Company Sued After FCC Tightens Medical Debt Collection Rules
The bar was raised for medical debt collectors last summer when the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling that made it harder to dial patients on their cellphones without their express consent. Now a California-based hospital chain has become one of the first providers to be sued since the FCC's July interpretive ruling. (Kutscher, 1/28)
The Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Health Clinic Gets New Tool To Recruit Doctors
In the midst of a severe shortage of family physicians on the North Coast and across the country, the Petaluma Health Center has just been given a tool that will help it recruit more top young doctors. The federal government recently revised its “health professional shortage area” rating for the Petaluma Health Center, giving it a “19,” the most severe shortage rating for any health center in Sonoma County. The designation makes young doctors and other medical professionals who are willing to work at the health center eligible for federal funds, specialized training and — most importantly — loan forgiveness. (Espinoza, 1/28)