State Seismic Deadlines Out of Reach for Many California Hospitals

Many California hospitals will be unable to comply with state-mandated seismic safety deadlines because of the ongoing recession, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal reports.

Earlier this month, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development published reports on seismic safety progress from the state's acute care hospitals.

Many hospitals said the credit crunch and declining revenue stripped them of the necessary finances to upgrade their buildings.

In a letter to OSHPD, David Jarrett, system director of design and construction for Catholic Healthcare West, said he cannot project start and completion dates for seismic retrofitting projects until the economy recovers.

About 64% of the state's hospitals will not be able to meet the 2013 or 2015 deadlines, according to a recent survey from the California Hospital Association. Of the state's 2,700 hospital buildings, about 900 facilities could face closure if they cannot meet the deadlines, CHA estimated.

Robert David, deputy director of OSHPD, said the department intends to work with hospitals to ensure that they provide quality care in safe facilities. He said he expects state lawmakers to issue guidance on accountability and possible penalties for non-compliant hospitals.