Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofPublicHealth
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
State moves to suspend licenses of troubled L.A. nursing home companies
The California Department of Public Health is moving to suspend the licenses of seven Southern California nursing facilities that have been repeatedly cited in recent years for contributing to patients' deaths. The state health department sent letters last month to seven companies in Los Angeles County that received at least two 'AA' violations within the last two years, indicating a failure that contributed substantially to the death of a resident. The facilities include Ararat Nursing Facility, a Mission Hills nursing home cited last year over lapses related to two residents' deaths less than three months apart. Mark E. Reagan, an attorney for Ararat, said the facility plans to appeal the suspension. "Not only is any action for suspension unwarranted, it is also not in the best interests of the community or residents of the facility," Reagan said. "The facility's top priority is and always has been the safety and well-being of its residents." In addition to Ararat, the state said other facilities targeted for license suspension were Antelope Valley Care Center in Lancaster, Brier Oak on Sunset in Hollywood, Golden Haven Care Center in Glendale, Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare Center in Lincoln Park, Santa Anita Convalescent Hospital in Temple City and Seacrest Post-Acute Care Center in San Pedro. None of those facilities sent letters by the state responded to requests for comment Thursday. An AA violation is a relatively rare penalty within state enforcement. Only 99 have been issued to the more than 1,200 skilled nursing facilities in California since the start of 2020, according to state data. According to California law, the state can move to suspend or revoke a nursing home's license once the facility gets two such violations within two years. In practice, the AA citation has been issued so infrequently that few facilities crossed that threshold, said Tony Chicotel, a senior staff attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. Chicotel said he was 'pleasantly surprised' by the state's recent vigor in issuing AA violations and moving forward with license suspensions. 'As far as I know — and I've been doing this a long time, a couple decades — this is new,' Chicotel said. Representatives from the state public health department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. In each case, state investigations found failures and oversights that contributed directly to residents' deaths. At Golden Haven in Glendale, which previously operated as Glenoaks Convalescent Hospital, an investigation revealed that staff withheld a diabetic resident's insulin and failed to monitor the person's blood sugar for 61 days, resulting in the patient's hospitalization and death in April 2024, according to the state's report. At Brier Oak on Sunset, a resident died in August 2024 after rolling off a bed while her nurse was tending to a different patient, the state said in its citation report, which noted that paramedics found the woman lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Facilities in violation frequently resolve citations through appeals, settlements or other alternate routes that lower the severity level of their violation, their fine amount or both, Chicotel said. All seven of the companies cited were informed by letter that their license would be suspended in 30 days from the sending date if they did not exercise their right to appeal. Advocates said they expected all of them to appeal. Rachel Tate, vice president of ombudsman services at the nonprofit Wise & Healthy Aging, said she was troubled by the fact that many facilities recorded multiple patient deaths before the state took action. 'I understand that we need to be giving facilities due process and these other opportunities, but it seems we are sacrificing patient care in the process,' Tate said. 'How many people are you allowed to kill and still get to appeal and keep your license? That's very concerning.' This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
State moves to suspend licenses of troubled L.A. nursing home companies
The California Department of Public Health is moving to suspend the licenses of seven Southern California nursing facilities that have been repeatedly cited in recent years for contributing to patients' deaths. The state health department sent letters last month to seven companies in Los Angeles County that received at least two 'AA' violations within the last two years, indicating a failure that contributed substantially to the death of a resident. The facilities include Ararat Nursing Facility, a Mission Hills nursing home cited last year over lapses related to two residents' deaths less than three months apart. Mark E. Reagan, an attorney for Ararat, said the facility plans to appeal the suspension. 'Not only is any action for suspension unwarranted, it is also not in the best interests of the community or residents of the facility,' Reagan said. 'The facility's top priority is and always has been the safety and well-being of its residents.' In addition to Ararat, the state said other facilities targeted for license suspension were Antelope Valley Care Center in Lancaster, Brier Oak on Sunset in Hollywood, Golden Haven Care Center in Glendale, Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare Center in Lincoln Park, Santa Anita Convalescent Hospital in Temple City and Seacrest Post-Acute Care Center in San Pedro. None of those facilities sent letters by the state responded to requests for comment Thursday. An AA violation is a relatively rare penalty within state enforcement. Only 99 have been issued to the more than 1,200 skilled nursing facilities in California since the start of 2020, according to state data. According to California law, the state can move to suspend or revoke a nursing home's license once the facility gets two such violations within two years. In practice, the AA citation has been issued so infrequently that few facilities crossed that threshold, said Tony Chicotel, a senior staff attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. Chicotel said he was 'pleasantly surprised' by the state's recent vigor in issuing AA violations and moving forward with license suspensions. 'As far as I know — and I've been doing this a long time, a couple decades — this is new,' Chicotel said. Representatives from the state public health department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. In each case, state investigations found failures and oversights that contributed directly to residents' deaths. At Golden Haven in Glendale, which previously operated as Glenoaks Convalescent Hospital, an investigation revealed that staff withheld a diabetic resident's insulin and failed to monitor the person's blood sugar for 61 days, resulting in the patient's hospitalization and death in April 2024, according to the state's report. At Brier Oak on Sunset, a resident died in August 2024 after rolling off a bed while her nurse was tending to a different patient, the state said in its citation report, which noted that paramedics found the woman lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Facilities in violation frequently resolve citations through appeals, settlements or other alternate routes that lower the severity level of their violation, their fine amount or both, Chicotel said. All seven of the companies cited were informed by letter that their license would be suspended in 30 days from the sending date if they did not exercise their right to appeal. Advocates said they expected all of them to appeal. Rachel Tate, vice president of ombudsman services at the nonprofit Wise & Healthy Aging, said she was troubled by the fact that many facilities recorded multiple patient deaths before the state took action. 'I understand that we need to be giving facilities due process and these other opportunities, but it seems we are sacrificing patient care in the process,' Tate said. 'How many people are you allowed to kill and still get to appeal and keep your license? That's very concerning.'
Economic Times
2 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Health experts sound alarm over terrifying new Covid variant found in US. It's more dangerous than ever
The new Covid-19 mutation from China is "more transmissible," health experts have warned, as it makes its way into the United States A new, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 that has driven a wave of hospitalisations across China has now surfaced in the United States and has sparked concerns among federal health officials. The variant, identified as NB.1.81, was first detected in the United States between late March and early April among international travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York. Since then, additional cases have been reported in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new Covid-19 mutation from China is "more transmissible," health experts have warned, as it makes its way into the United States. The development comes when US Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially removed the Covid vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women. ALSO READ: Biden suffers big jolt as his longtime aide claims she's no longer a Democrat and makes shocking departureAccording to the Irish Star, the California Department of Public Health is sounding the alarm over the presence of this highly contagious variant. "In other words, it is more transmissible," stated Verma. Meanwhile, China has claimed that Covid-19 did not emerge in Wuhan and originated in the officials have noted that this particular strain first emerged in March and has seen a sharp increase since early May, according to The Express. In California, its prevalence has jumped from just 2% in April to 19%, based on official variant is considered more dangerous than earlier ones, with the potential to drive up infection rates and READ: 'Wicked: For Good' trailer is coming to select theaters in US. Check time and other details World Health Organization data shows that the strain now makes up over half of global cases, prompting California officials to push for the reinstatement of mask the California Department of Public Health maintains that 'currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective.' Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing criticism for attempting to restrict vaccine access for healthy children and pregnant is witnessing a surge in respiratory illnesses, with figures doubling from 3.3 to 6.3 percent, and emergency room patients testing positive for COVID have seen a significant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet begun tracking the emerging NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant. Meanwhile, LP.8.1 remains the dominant strain in the United States, accounting for approximately 73% of current cases. Its symptoms closely mirror those of earlier variants, including fever, cough, chills, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. ALSO READ: Trump's sweeping bill to cut taxes by $3.75 trillion but will burden millions of Americans. Check details The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its mutations and international spread. Although it has been identified in 22 countries, no travel restrictions have been imposed. The WHO maintains that existing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective in preventing both symptomatic and severe illness caused by this variant, and currently assesses the global risk as low.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Doctors issue urgent health warning as dangerous new covid variant from China triggers U.S. outbreak
A dangerous new strain of covid from China is surging in California, health officials have warned. The California Department of Public Health warned this week the highly contagious NB.1.8.1 strain has been detected in the state, making it the sixth US state to be exposed. The variant has also been detected in international travelers arriving in Washington state, Virginia, Hawaii, Rhode Island and New York City since March. Pictured above are people wearing face masks in China in 2023. The surge of Covid variant NB.1.8.1 has led some health experts in the US and abroad to suggest reinstating mask mandates Health officials said the variant was first detected in March and has been on the rise since May 1. Lab tests suggest the NB.1.8.1 strain, which was first detected in January in China, is more infectious than currently circulating variants, which has already led to a sharp rise in infections and hospital admissions. Since April NB.1.8.1 has risen from two per cent of Covid cases in California to 19 per cent, according to health department data. The warning comes as some physicians in California have called for the return of mask mandates to emulate countries like Hong Kong. The California Department of Public Health told The Sacremento Bee: 'COVID-19 continues to circulate in California and future seasonal increases in disease levels are likely.' NB.1.8.1 is not yet prevalent enough in the U.S, to be publicly tracked by the CDC. Strain LP.8.1 is currently the most dominant in the US, making up 73 percent of Covid infections. The latest vaccines target the JN.1 variant, which LP.8.1 is descended from. The California Public Health Department said: 'Currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective.' However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has moved to remove access to the covid vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. However, it is currently still on the CDC's children's vaccine schedule. Covid tests in California as of April 19, the latest data available, show 2.1 percent of tests came back positive, a steady rate compared to weeks prior. The rate of hospitalizations from covid during the week of April 19 in California was 1.3 per 100,000 people, a slight decrease from 1.6 per 100,000 the week before. There is usually a delay of several weeks for the most recent data, and infections can take several weeks to result in hospitalization. Nationally, positive covid test results have decreased from 2.9 per cent on May 17 to 2.7 per cent the following week. Covid-related emergency department visits have also decreased 6.5 percent during that time frame. In China, data shows the proportion of severely ill respiratory patients with covid has jumped from 3.3 to 6.3 per cent over the past month. The proportion of Chinese ER patients testing positive for covid had jumped from 7.5 to 16.2 per cent. Officials in Taiwan are also reporting a surge in covid emergency room admissions, with the number rising 78 per cent in a week over the seven days to May 3, according to the latest data available. And hospitalizations have risen to a 12-month high in Hong Kong, thought to be driven by the new variant. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to other variants and include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Covid swabs cannot detect which variant you have.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Doctors issue urgent health warning as dangerous new Covid virus from China triggers US outbreak
A dangerous new Covid variant from China is surging in California, health officials warn. The California Department of Public Health warned this week the highly contagious NB.1.8.1 strain has been detected in the state, making it the sixth US state to be exposed. The variant has also been detected in international travelers arriving in Washington state, Virginia, Hawaii, Rhode Island and New York City since March. Health officials said the variant was first detected in March and has been on the rise since May 1. Since April, NB.1.8.1 has increased from two percent of Covid cases in California to 19 percent, according to health department data. Lab tests suggest NB.1.8.1, which was first detected in January in China, is more infectious than currently circulating strains, which means it could lead to a spike in infections and hospital admissions. World Health Organization data also suggests it makes up more than half the variants currently circulating. The warning comes as some physicians in California have called for the return of mask mandates to emulate countries like Hong Kong. The California Department of Public Health told The Sacremento Bee: ' COVID-19 continues to circulate in California and future seasonal increases in disease levels are likely.' NB.1.8.1 is not yet prevalent enough in the US to be publicly tracked by the CDC. Strain LP.8.1 is currently the most dominant in the US, making up 73 percent of Covid infections. The latest vaccines target the JN.1 variant, which LP.8.1 is descended from. The California Public Health Department said: 'Currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective.' However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has moved to remove access to the Covid vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. However, it is currently still on the CDC's children's vaccine schedule. Covid tests in California as of April 19, the latest data available, show 2.1 percent of tests came back positive, a steady rate compared to weeks prior. The rate of hospitalizations from Covid during the week of April 19 in California was 1.3 per 100,000 people, a slight decrease from 1.6 per 100,000 the week before. There is usually a delay of several weeks for the most recent data, and infections can take several weeks to result in hospitalization. Nationally, Covid test positivity has decreased from 2.9 percent May 17 to 2.7 percent the week of May 24. Covid-related emergency department visits have also decreased 6.5 percent during that time frame. In China, data shows the proportion of severely ill respiratory patients with Covid has jumped from 3.3 to 6.3 percent over the last month. The proportion of Chinese ER patients testing positive for Covid had jumped from 7.5 to 16.2 percent. Officials in Taiwan are also reporting a surge in Covid emergency room admissions, with the number rising 78 percent in a week over the seven-days to May 3, according to the latest data available. And hospitalizations have risen to a 12-month high in Hong Kong, thought to be driven by the new variant. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to other variants and include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Covid swabs cannot detect which variant you have.
