Auditor Blasts CDPH In New Report

A report released this week by the California Auditor has levied severe criticism against the state Department of Public Health (CDPH), claiming the agency has failed to implement reforms it recommended more than two years ago.

In addition to licensing and monitoring the state’s hundreds of acute care hospitals and nursing facilities, the CDPH also monitors and manages potential epidemics of diseases such as measles and Ebola.

“Weak performance and accountability at Public Health could adversely affect the health and safety of Californians,” wrote California Auditor Elaine Howle to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature. “Our recent audits have continued to uncover failures by Public Health to perform statutorily required duties.”

According to Howle’s audit, CDPH had shown weaknesses in monitoring the state’s licensed medical laboratories as well as some of its healthcare facilities, particularly at developmental centers.

Howle concluded that CDPH had 33 recommendations from her office that were unresolved, with 17 impacting public safety.