Four hospitals in the San Diego area have each been fined $25,000 for mistakes that put patients in danger. Pomerado Hospital in Poway was fined for using an anesthesia machine that was not working properly. Three patients remained partially conscious during surgery and experienced a great deal of pain. A staff member had questioned whether the machine was functioning properly; however, the hospital continued to use it. When the patients complained, the hospital then discontinued the use of the machine. A fine was issued to Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla after a patient fell off an examination table during surgery. The staff had not properly restrained her and had placed a slippery plastic biohazard bag on the mattress. The patient suffered spinal, head, and shoulder injuries. La Mesa’s Sharp Grossmont Hospital was fined for the death of a patient after staff neglected to turn on a ventilator. Lastly, Promise Hospital, formerly Villa View Community Hospital, was fined for allowing a nurse with a revoked license to treat patients and instruct other nurses on administering medication. Pomerado, Scripps, and Sharp officials have reported that they have hired more staff and increased training in order to correct these problems. The CEO of Promise Hospital is appealing the fine because no patients were harmed. Starting in July of 2007, hospitals are required to inform the state of any events that could or did harm patients. Forty hospitals have now received such fines. Other incidences at Scripps Green Hospital, Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, and Sharp Grossmont are being reviewed and may result in fines as well.
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