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SANTA CLARA (BCN) Kaiser Permanente is appealing a penalty by the
California Department of Public Health imposed for the death of a
newborn at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Santa Clara.
"The
safety of our patients is our first and foremost concern.
Unfortunately, individual human error does occur, as it did in the case
DPH is referencing," Mary Anne Barnes, senior vice president and area
manager, Kaiser Foundation Hospital Santa Clara, said in a statement.
"We are deeply sorry for the family that experienced this sad event, and have expressed our sympathy."
In
the statement Barnes said the hospital's response and corrections were
"thoroughly reviewed and validated by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations, and the California State Board of Pharmacists."
Barnes said the hospital is in compliance with the regulations cited by the CDPH and is appealing the action.
The child died Feb. 24 as a result of too much of two medications administered by the hospital, according to a CDPH document.
The
child was born Jan. 6 with a genetic disease and was transferred to
Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford for
stabilization.
At about 4 weeks old, the newborn returned to Kaiser prior to being discharged from the hospital.
Days later, the newborn overdosed and had to return to Lucile Packard and later died there.
According
to the report, it was determined that Kaiser staff had repackaged the
doses incorrectly and did not take into account the weight of the
container.
The CDPH report states that the pharmacy technician did not catch the mistake.
The hospital was fined with eight other hospitals throughout California for various infractions, it was announced Thursday.
The penalties carry a possible maximum fine of up to $25,000.
Courtesy: BCN Wires