The California Department of Public Health is suspending permits for seven Southern California nursing facilities that have been repeatedly cited in recent years for their contribution to the deaths of patients.
The state health department sent letters to seven companies in Los Angeles County last month that have suffered at least two "AA" violations over the past two years, suggesting that the failure has resulted in the death of residents.
Facilities include Ararat Nursing Facilities, Mission Hills Nursing Home Cited last year The mistakes related to the deaths of two residents were less than three months apart.
Ararat lawyer Mark E. Reagan said the facility plans to appeal the suspension.
“Not only for unfounded moratoriums, it is not in the best interest of the community or residents of the facility,” Reagan said. “The priority of the facility is and has always been the safety and well-being of its residents.”
In addition to Alarat, the state says other facilities for licence suspensions are Lancaster’s Antelope Valley Care Center, located in Brill Oak at Sunset in Hollywood, located in Golden Haven Care Center in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Health Care Center, Kei-ai Los Angeles Medical Center in Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park in Santa Anita Verresey, San Anita Speaks, located in Temple City and Seaccrest Cite Center and Seacrest Care Center and Seacrest Care Center in San Pedro.
None of the facilities sent letters to the country in response to a request for comment on Thursday.
Violation of AA is a relatively rare fine in state enforcement. Since the beginning of 2020, more than 1,200 skilled nursing facilities in California have been distributed only 99 Status data.
according to California LawThe state can suspend or revoke the nursing home license once the facility suffers two such violations within two years.
Tony Chickotel, an advocate for nursing home reform in California, said that in fact, AA citations are so rarely issued that few facilities cross that threshold.
Chicotel said the state was "surprised" about the recent vitality in issuing AA violations and forward license suspensions.
"As far as I know, I've been doing it for a long time for decades - it's new," Chicotel said.
Representatives from the state’s public health department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In each case, state investigations found failure and supervision directly resulted in the death of residents.
According to a state report, a survey at Golden Haven in Glendale (formerly Glenoaks Rehabilitation Hospital) showed that staff detained insulin from diabetic resident and failed to monitor the person's blood sugar for 61 days, resulting in the patient's hospitalization and death in April 2024.
The state said in a citation report that a resident died after rolling out of bed at Brier Oak at sunset when her nurse rolled down to a different patient.
Chicotel said the violation facilities often address citations through appeals, settlements or other alternative routes, reducing the severity of their violation, fines or both.
All seven companies cited are notified by letter that their permission will be suspended within 30 days of the date of delivery if they do not exercise their right to appeal. Advocates say they want everyone to appeal.
Rachel Tate, vice president of inspector services at nonprofit Wise & Healthy Emaging, said she was bothered by the fact that many facilities recorded multiple patient deaths before the state took action.
"I know we need to provide due process and other opportunities for the facility, but it seems we sacrificed the care of the patient in the process," Tate said. "How many people are you allowed to kill and still be able to appeal and keep your license? It's very worrying."