State regulators issued Dominican hospital a 50-thousand-dollar fine today. Dominican was 1-of a dozen California hospitals that were found to have violated regulations. In total, 650-thousand dollars worth of fines were issued. Dominican’s violation related to the 2009 death of a patient, who was left alone hooked-up to an oxygen machine. The oxygen levels had been increased, but a nurse left the room without making sure that the patient was getting the proper amount. It’s the second time Dominican has been named in the annual report by the department of public health. In 2007, the hospital was fined for removing the wrong patient’s spleen. In addition to the fine, Dominican must provide the state with a plan to prevent further mistakes. A representative for the hospital issued a statement, calling the errors serious, and said they would not be repeated.
