LA County Hospital Fined $100K Over Death Of 40-Year-Old Patient

LOS ANGELES, CA -- View Heights Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles was fined recently following an investigation into the July 2017 death of a woman. The California Department of Public Health announced that the hospital, a skilled nursing facility, has received a Class “AA” citation, the most severe penalty under State law, and a $100,000 fine from the State of California.

An investigation conducted by health officials "found deficiencies that were determined to have been a direct proximate cause of death of a patient or resident."

The woman was admitted into the hospital in September 2016 for Hepatitis C, asthma, schizoaffective disorder and tachycardia. In July 2017, the woman "complained of heartburn and requested medication, (she) then fell to the floor, suffered a heart attack, and was pronounced deceased," according to a report provided by the state.

The investigation "determined that the facility failed to provide (her) with the necessary care and services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being," the report said.

View Heights Convalescent Hospital was previously fined $20,000 in 2012 after it reportedly failed to provide adequate service to a patient with severe pain in his toe.

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