Sun Valley Hospital To Pay $1M In Patient Dumping Case
As part of the settlement, the hospital will revamp its protocols for discharging homeless patients.
Los Angeles Times:
Sun Valley Hospital Settles For $1 Million In Second Patient-Dumping Lawsuit
A San Fernando Valley hospital has agreed to pay $1 million in civil penalties to settle allegations that it put a mentally ill woman in a taxi and lost track of her for three days, Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer announced Thursday. Under the terms of the settlement, Pacifica Hospital of the Valley admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to revamp its protocols for discharging homeless patients. It is the second time in two years that the hospital — a 231-bed facility in Sun Valley — has settled with the city attorney’s office in patient-dumping cases. (Branson-Potts, 6/23)
Los Angeles Daily News:
Valley Hospital To Pay $1 Million For Alleged Patient Dumping, LA City Attorney Says
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer alleges Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley failed to adequately care for a patient in a March 2016 incident. Kasey Lucious, who has a history of mental illness and homelessness, was sent to Crenshaw Nursing Home by hospital staff, but failed to check into the facility and was found three days later in the area by the California Highway Patrol, Feuer said. Pacifica Hospital also settled a lawsuit with Feuer’s office in 2014 over alleged patient dumping, in which the hospital agreed to pay $500,000 and follow a new set of homeless discharge protocols. (Smith, 6/23)
KPCC:
Pacifica Hospital To Pay $1 Million To Settle Its Second 'Patient Dumping' Case
The upgrade of Pacifica's protocols will include "a detailed transportation policy and increased training for hospital personnel," the city attorney's office said. This is the fifth patient dumping case Feuer has settled since he took office three years ago. (Glickman, 6/23)