In Brief: CDPH Fines L.A. Nursing Home $80,000; Death With Dignity Bill Moves Through Committee
CDPH Fines L.A. Nursing Home $80,000
The California Department of Public Health has fined a Los Angeles skilled nursing facility $80,000 due to lapses of care that led to the death of a patient in 2012.
The Country Villa Terrace Nursing Center on L.A.'s Westside also received a class AA citation, which is the most severe allowed under state law. The CDPH concluded that the event placed the patient of imminent danger of death.
According to a CDPH investigation, a patient died at the facility after staff mishandled the reinsertion of the patient's jejunostomy tube, which was used for feeding and had been pulled out. The tube was replaced with an internal urinary catheter and done so without a physician's order. The new tube – which included a balloon that was inflaed inside the patient's body -- led to an intestinal blockage and the death of the patient.
In addition to the fine and citation, Country Villa Terrance management agreed to a plan of correction that will include appropriate staff training, records show.
Death With Dignity Bill Moves Through Committee
The state Senate Health Committee approved a bill that would create a pathway for terminally ill Californians to seek out physician-assisted suicide.
SB 128 passed by a 5-2 vote Wednesday along party lines, with both Republicans objecting to the bill.
Sponsored by Lois Wolk, D-Davis and Bill Monning, D-Carmel, would allow drug-aided assistance in suicide for a terminally ill patient if two physicians assent. A vote is not yet scheduled for the full Senate.
A hearing prior to the vote included a video from Brittany Maynard, a California resident who chose physician-assisted suicide late last year in light of a terminal illness. However, Maynard had to move to Oregon in order to do so. That state is one of three in the U.S. that permits physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.
"The Senate Health Committee's approval of the End of Life Option Act is a victory for Californians, who overwhelmingly support the option of aid in dying," said Toni Broaddus, California campaign director for an advocacy group called Compassion & Choices.
Cigna, SCAN Enter Into Medicare Advantage Alliance
Long Beach-based SCAN Health Plan has entered into an agreement with Cigna to offer its Medicare Advantage health plan to employer groups in California.
“Our companies have a common commitment to clinical quality, customer service and engaging with healthcare professionals to enhance healthcare delivery. Through this alliance, we can now offer employer groups in California a full suite of benefit capabilities for active employees and retirees,” said Chris De Rosa, president of the West region for Cigna.
