Laguna Honda surveyors arrive as commissioners face public criticism about decertification and oversight

San Francisco Department of Public Health officials told the Health Commission on April 16 that surveyors from state and federal agencies arrived at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center on April 15 to review plans of correction submitted earlier this year, a step DPH said is required before a full Medicare recertification can be granted.

"We eagerly await direction from the California Department of Public Health and CMS on next steps toward a full CMS recertification," Director Colfax said, describing submitted plans of correction for fire/life-safety and health-monitoring elements and noting the department expects a revisit survey and written findings before recertification is finalized.

Public commenters urged faster action and more transparency. Patrick Monette Shaw repeatedly criticized past management and oversight, alleging that the hospital's decertification in April 2022 and subsequent corrective contracts cost the city tens of millions of dollars and demanded disclosure of outstanding anonymous complaints and incident counts. "Why has recertification not been completed yet? When will admissions halted for fully two years resume again?" he asked. In a later statement he said the regulatory affairs report did not explain 70 to 95 anonymous complaints dating to 2021 that he said CDPH had yet to investigate.

Another public speaker, Chris Ward Klein, urged the commission to refer alleged unauthorized access to health-care systems to the district attorney and cited California Penal Code sections reported in his handout.

On formal business, commissioners approved the minutes of the April 2 meeting after a voice motion and approved a Laguna Honda policy consent calendar (one policy was postponed for further revision per a JCC recommendation). The commission also voted to enter closed session and later voted not to disclose closed-session discussions.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of 04/02/2024 minutes: motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote ("aye" recorded).
- Consent calendar (Laguna Honda policies): motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote ("aye" recorded). One policy was removed for further review.
- Motion not to disclose closed-session discussions: moved and approved by voice vote ("aye" recorded).

The commission heard a Laguna Honda Joint Conference Committee report noting the arrival of surveyors and that, as of the report, there were no untoward findings publicly reported. Commissioners asked staff to keep the commission apprised of the survey outcome and requested additional detail on incident reporting and outstanding complaints that were raised by public commenters. The meeting moved to closed session on litigation and personnel matters consistent with the agenda.