Grass Valley Nursing Home Fined $75,000 After Patient Dies

GRASS VALLEY (AP) -— State officials have fined a Nevada County nursing home over the death of a patient.

The California Department of Public Health issued a Class AA citation to the former Meadow View Manor in Grass Valley on Monday. It's the most severe penalty under state law, with a fine of $75,000.

According to investigators, a nursing assistant used a mechanical chair lift to get the patient out of the bathtub, despite the home's policy that two people must operate the lift.

The patient fell forward, suffering head and neck injuries, and died four days later. The death was reported to state officials on Feb. 14.

Plum Healthcare Group purchased the home in June and renamed it the Crystal Ridge Care Center. Officials say they've been working to provide advanced training to the staff since they took over.

(The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)