Health officials fine developmental center The Fairview...

Health officials fine developmental center

The Fairview Developmental Center was slapped with the most severe

citation it could receive and an $80,000 fine from the California

Department of Health Services. The department made the announcement

Wednesday after an investigation found that poor care of a

30-year-old woman resident led to her death.

The patient was found dead on July 5, 2002, having suffocated

after falling between the space between the bed and the side rail.

The investigation determined that the facility failed to maintain the

side rails in operable condition at all times to ensure the safety of

the patients.

The center was able to pay only 65% of the fine by doing it within

15 days of the time it was assessed. It also came up with a plan to

prevent future occurrences, which includes installing crossbars on

each bed.