Health Law
Hospitals Accused of Patient Dumping
Posted Jun 27, 2007, 02:35 pm CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
The Los Angeles city attorney has filed civil complaints against two California hospitals accused of dumping homeless patients in skid row.
The complaints name Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Feliz and Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. The actions claim the motive was to save money, the Los Angeles Times reports. One of the dumped patients was found in February crawling in a gutter while wearing a colostomy bag.
The complaints are based on a state law barring unfair business practices.
Both hospitals issued statements in response to the allegations. Methodist Hospital said it wanted to review the complaint before commenting. Hollywood Presbyterian said the patient with the colostomy bag was dropped off in violation of hospital policy, but he had been treated appropriately while at the hospital.
Hollywood Presbyterian has adopted new discharge rules that require a review of homeless patients’ mental status and referrals when appropriate.