Immediate jeopardy mistakes costly

Thirteen California hospitals have been fined a total of $650,00 for 16 immediate jeopardy mistakes.  According to California law, immediate jeopardy “is a situation in which the hospital’s noncompliance with one or more requirements of licensure has caused, or is likely to cause, serious injury or death to a patient.” 
The California Department of Public Health received the authority to issue immediate jeopardy fines in 2007, a result of a bill signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Fines are $25,000 for 2007 and 2008 mistakes and $50,000 to $100,000 for 2009 incidences; first violations are assessed at the lesser rate.  All monies collected are earmarked for programs aimed at decreasing serious medical errors. 

The latest round of fines include four penalties, totaling $100,000, for John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio.  The penalties are the result of using nurses who weren’t trained or certified to perform emergency room tasks in the ER. 

Sources:

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/QUA-245624/California-Hospitals-Fined-for-Alleged-Immediate-Jeopardy-Mistakes

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/facilities/Documents/HospitalApFAQ.pdf