Investigators from the California Department of Public Health unearthed several patient safety concerns at Inglewood, Calif.-based Centinela Hospital Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported June 15.
The concerns identified range from quality of care to the January death of a patient who was a Black mother who was pregnant with her first child.
"State investigators found that for several patients in the labor and delivery unit, medical records did not show appropriate steps being taken to address the risk of blood clots. …" the Times reported, and "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."
The scathing 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.
Becker's reached out to Centinela Hospital Medical Center for comment and received the following response: "The hospital has taken numerous steps in response to this isolated and tragic incident, including conducting an internal review and fully cooperating with all investigations such as the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH), where Centinela immediately addressed and resolved findings appropriate to the satisfaction of CDPH. In general, these investigations are not uncommon."
Its immediate jeopardy status was reportedly removed after the hospital submitted a plan of correction, the LA Times reported.
The hospital spokesperson told Becker's it was previously designated as a "Baby-friendly hospital" and is "committed to ending preventable morbidity, mortality and racial disparities in California maternity care."