Laguna Honda recertification underway as transfers and payment pause extended to Nov. 13

Acting Laguna Honda CEO Roland Pickens told the San Francisco Health Commission that the hospital is focusing on recertification after CMS decertified the facility in April and identified multiple areas for correction. "Transfers and discharges are on pause and we are looking forward to refocusing many of our closure plan resources and efforts towards our primary focus of recertification," Pickens said.

Pickens said two mock surveys, completed in phases, identified recurring problems in infection control, environmental safety, biomedical equipment maintenance and pharmacy. In response, Laguna Honda has launched a comprehensive staff education program and increased on‑the‑floor rounding. The facility is rolling out CMS’s 39 critical element pathways (CEPs) in weekly modules so all pathways are covered monthly, combining didactic sessions, skills demonstrations and competency checks.

Colfax and Pickens emphasized immediate remedial steps. Pickens described enhanced unit rounding and on‑the‑spot training to improve hand hygiene and PPE practices and said plans of correction were drafted by staff at all levels. He also reported that, after site inspections, CDPH agreed that temporary mitigations to the kitchen floor will not prevent recertification while a full renovation proceeds.

Pickens addressed the configuration of resident rooms, saying Laguna Honda has not submitted any application to reduce its licensed bed count by 120. He said the facility is moving residents so no more than two people share a room and expects that work to be completed by Aug. 19. "We have not taken any steps to change our license to reduce 120 beds," Pickens said, and added that the legal appeals and litigation may affect final requirements.

The city’s legal action and related appeals are active. Director Grant Colfax announced earlier in the meeting that the city sued CMS over the agency’s closure plan and that CMS agreed to extend Medicare and Medicaid payments and to pause transfers and discharges through Nov. 13. Colfax said the next stage will determine any abatement award from Walgreens in unrelated opioid litigation, and separately noted the litigation with CMS and pending administrative appeals.

Public commenters urged the commission to halt any license reduction and to fund alternative placements rather than discharging vulnerable residents. Several callers described transfers they say led to resident deaths and urged the commission to keep Laguna Honda open as a public skilled‑nursing resource.

The commission asked the department to continue close public communication about the timing and legal implications of recertification and any licensing actions. Commissioners praised the rapid work with external consultants and said they expect to remain closely involved as Laguna Honda pursues recertification.