The California Department of Public Health is about to suspend licenses for seven Southern California nursing facilities, which have been repeatedly cited in recent years to contribute to patient deaths.
The state health department last month wrote to seven companies in Los Angeles County, showing a failure that has contributed significantly to the deaths of residents after at least two “AA” violations in the past two years.
The facility includes the Arrat Nursing Facilities, a Mission Hills nursing facility that was cited last year for revocations related to the deaths of two residents under three months.
Ararat’s attorney Mark E. Reagan said the facility is planning to appeal the suspension.
“Suspension action is not only an unfair measure, but it is not the best interest of the facility’s community or residents,” Reagan said. “The facility’s number one priority is always to ensure that it is safe and happy for its residents.”
In addition to Ararat, the state said other facilities targeting the licensing suspension are Antelope Valley Care Center in Lancaster, Sunset in Hollywood, Golden Haven Care Center in Glendale, Keio Los Angeles Healthcare Center in Lincoln Park, Recovery Hospital in Santa Anita, Recovery Hospital in San Pedro and Recovery Hospital in Santa Anita.
None of these facilities sent letters from the state.
AA violations are relatively rare penalties within state enforcement. State data shows that since its inception in 2020, only 99 have been issued to more than 1,200 skilled nursing facilities in California.
According to California law, the state can move to suspend or revoke the nursing home license if the facility obtains two such violations within two years.
In fact, AA citations are issued so rarely that few facilities exceeded that threshold, said Tony Chicotel, a senior staff attorney for California Nursing Home Reform Advocates.
Chicotel said he was “pleasantly surprised” at the state’s recent vitality in issuing AA violations and moving forward with licensing suspensions.
“As far as I know, and I’ve been doing this for so many decades and for a long time – this is new,” Chicotel said.
Representatives from the state’s public health department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In both cases, state investigations found failures and surveillance that directly contributed to the death of residents.
In Golden Haven, Glendale, which previously operated as a convalescent hospital for Glendale, investigations revealed that staff withheld insulin in diabetic residents and were unable to monitor the person’s blood sugar levels for 61 days, causing patient hospitalization and death in April 2024.
At Briar Oak at sunset, the resident passed away in August 2024 after a nurse rolled down a bed while caring for another patient, the state said in a citation report.
Violating facilities frequently resolve citations through violations, settlements, or other alternative routes that lower the severity level of the violation, fines, or both, Chicotel said.
All seven companies cited were notified by letter that their license would be suspended within 30 days of the date of submission if they did not exercise their right to appeal. Supporters said they hope they all sue.
Rachel Tate, vice president of Ombudsman Services for the nonprofit Wise & Healthy Aging, said she was plagued by the fact that many facilities recorded the deaths of multiple patients before the state took action.
“We understand that we need to provide facility due process and these other opportunities, but it appears we are sacrificing patient care in the process,” Tate said. “How many people are you allowed to kill and still sues and maintain your license? That’s very concerning.”
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