WHITTIER — A Whittier nursing home has received the most severe citation allowed by law after a patient died as a result of medical mishap three years ago, authorities said Wednesday.
Orchard — Post Acute Care, 12385 Washington Blvd., received the citation along with a $75,000 fine after an investigation by the California Department of Public Health determined the facility made a mistake inserting a stomach tube into a 78-year-old man in 2008, CDPH spokesman Al Lundeen said in a written statement. The error caused his death six days later.
“The facility, previously known as Royal Court Health Care, failed to follow policies and procedures related to patient assessment, monitoring and care,” Lundeen said.
Per CDPH policy, the facility has 10 days to request a hearing to appeal the citation.
“We do plan to appeal,” Orchard Administrator Rich Jorgensen said.
“I understand the Department of Public Health, they have a job to do,” he added.
Jorgensen said he was not a clinician and could not discuss the incident in detail.
According to a report issued by the CDPH, nursing home personnel incorrectly inserted a “gastronomy tube,” a feeding tube that’s meant to be inserted into the stomach through a surgically created opening.
“The (gastronomy tube) was inserted into (the patient’s) peritoneal cavity located outside of the stomach, instead of into the stomach,” according to the report.
As a result, the investigation found, the patient developed inflammation, septic shock and respiratory failure and died six days after the allegedly botched procedure.
The citation issued by the CDPH, a “AA” citation, is the strongest citation the agency can issue.
Jorgensen, who has been with Orchard for about a year, said he is confident in the nursing home’s staff and level of care.
“I believe that we do provide a very high level of care to our patients and residents,” he said. “I would absolutely put my mother here.”
Orchard — Post Acute Care is a 162-bed skilled nursing facility, Jorgensen said. Primarily specializing in seniors, it both serves as both a temporary rehabilitation facility and a long-term residential facility.
All nursing facilities in the state are regulated by state and federal laws governing health care facilities, Lundeen said.
“By providing nursing facilities it licenses with consequences for substantiated violations, CDPH strives to protect the health and safety of vulnerable individuals,” he said.