The California Department of Public Health fined Inglewood, Calif.-based Centinela Hospital Medical Center $75,000 for "deficient practices" that led to a patient's death, the Los Angeles Times reported Aug. 7.
An investigation was launched in January after a Black woman admitted for labor and delivery died. Regulators found several patient safety concerns, which led to an immediate jeopardy status. That status was later removed when the hospital submitted a corrective plan.
The report found the hospital failed to ensure the patient was properly assessed and treated to prevent blood clots and did not follow up appropriately on her complaints. The hospital was also "faulted for nurses failing to tell a doctor when a patient in labor had concerning readings for their own vital signs or that of the fetus, as well as not following up when the patient complained of leg heaviness."
Centinela Hospital, part of the Prime Healthcare system, told the Times it is "in continual pursuit of ensuring the highest quality of care and forwarding health equity for all patients and our community" and cited recent accolades for the hospital.
The negative findings from public health officials come just after the hospital was given its 10th consecutive "A" safety grade designation from hospital watchdog organization The Leapfrog Group.