Hazel Hawkins Hospital’s nursing facilities may not be able to
admit some new patients after Thursday due to several severe health
code violations, one of a sexual nature, over the past four months,
according to state officials.
Hollister – Hazel Hawkins Hospital’s nursing facilities may not be able to admit some new patients after Thursday due to several severe health code violations, one of a sexual nature, over the past four months, according to state officials.
The California Department of Health and Human Services recommended the federal government fine the hospital $3,000 and rescind the Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility’s ability to admit any new patients with Medical and Medicaid insurance after Oct. 20 after documenting three separate and isolated incidences of faulty patient care, according to Albert Quintero, a licensing and certification manager for the department’s San Jose district office.
The nursing facility could avoid the order if the state confirms that the final of the three problem has been adequately solved by Thursday, Quintero said. But Quintero said that he could not guarantee a state inspector will be able to make it to the facility by then.
However, Hazel Hawkins contends they have rectified any and all problems stemming from the complaints.
“We are in full compliance with all state regulations,” said Ken Underwood, Hazel Hawkins’ chief executive officer. “We will continue to admit patients to our skilled nursing facilities because we are in full compliance.”
Underwood refused to specify whether patients with Medicaid and Medical insurance will continue to be admitted after Thursday if a state inspector doesn’t visit the facility by then. Quintero said the hospital informed him the facility is in compliance, however he isn’t sure when an inspector will be able to do a follow-up check. He also said if the hospital continues to admit patients after Thursday, they will not receive compensation from the state, essentially providing care for free.
“We’ll be there as soon as we can, and acknowledge the fact they said they’re back in compliance,” he said. “We’ll send someone there when we can.”
The first incident which garnered the facility a level “G” complaint rating by the state – which means the violation caused harm to the patient – stemmed from a sexual assault complaint in June. The incident involved a male patient who allegedly sexually assaulted a female patient “four or five” times, and nursing home staff failed to take sufficient action to correct it, according to a state report.
The state rates facilities from A to L, Quintero said. If a facility receives an “L” rating, it is immediately closed, he said.
Facility staff reported the incident to the Hollister Police Department and to the state, and later took corrective actions to rectify the situation, Quintero said.
Hollister police were notified of the alleged sexual assault against a female patient who was physically unable to defend herself, according to spokesman George Ramirez. The case was referred to the detectives bureau, however due to a lack of independent witnesses and physical evidence, no further action has been taken, Ramirez said. The male patient was not arrested.
But staff members later rectified the situation which placed the female patient at risk, and by mid-July were found to be in full compliance, Quintero said. However, several days later the state received another complaint, again a level “G,” stating that the facility’s staff failed to adequately treat a patient with pressure ulcers, according to the state’s report. Yet again, the facility took steps to rectify the problem and were in full compliance by mid-August, according to the state’s report.
However, a third level “G” rating was leveled against the facility last month regarding a medication error, at which time Quintero said the state recommended the federal government levy a fine against the hospital and rescind its ability to admit new patients until the third “G” deficiency was found to be rectified, he said.
Quintero, whose San Jose district office oversees south Santa Clara County, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, said his office has issued “G” ratings to 14 of the 65 facilities in his district during the last year.
While Quintero said a “G” rating isn’t common and is a cause for concern, the incidents are isolated and only a few patients have been affected.
“If it was widespread or there was a pattern, then there should be some concern, but it’s not to that extent,” he said.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
