State Faults Hospitals in Probe of Workers’ Bogus CPR Cards

By Tania Chatila

The California Department of Public Health has concluded an investigation into the possession of fake cardiopulmonary resuscitation cards by workers at Citrus Valley Medical Center.

According to a report released this week, the department found the facility failed to ensure conditions of employment were completed, and the facility failed to report the incident in a timely manner.

Fifty-nine employees throughout the health care provider’s four San Gabriel Valley campuses resigned or were fired over in late August and early September in connection with the fraudulent cards.

The investigation was prompted by an instructor who noticed her name spelled wrong on the back of one of the fake cards, officials said.

Of the former employees, 26 nurses were reported to the California Board of Registered Nursing.

In addition, 11 certified nurse assistants were reported to the state Department of Public Health, seven respiratory care practitioners were reported to the Respiratory Care Board of California, and two licensed vocational nurses were reported to the Board of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians.

The remaining 13 employees did not require licenses.

Citrus Valley Health Partners is made up of 3,200 employees spread across four campuses: Citrus Valley Medical Center’s Inter- Community Campus in Covina, Queen of the Valley Campus in West Covina, Foothill Presbyterian in Glendora and Citrus Valley Hospice, a hospice/home health agency in West Covina.

(c) 2008 San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.