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San Francisco health officials say 23 Laguna Honda residents were affected by patient abuse; investigations under way
Summary
The director of the Department of Public Health reported alleged patient abuse involving 23 residents at Laguna Honda Hospital, described immediate corrective steps including leadership change and staff training, and said state and police investigations are ongoing.
Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, told the Health Commission that the department is investigating "patient abuses" involving 23 Laguna Honda residents and has taken immediate steps including notifying families, conducting wellness checks, separating six staff members, and making changes in hospital leadership. Colfax said the prior CEO resigned and that Acting CEO Maggie Rykowski is leading the facility while the department prepares a turnaround plan to present by Sept. 1.
The commission president, Commissioner Loyce, said the body is "deeply saddened" and apologized to affected residents and families, endorsing the departments corrective actions. Public commenters pressed for clearer accountability. Dr. Derek Kerr asked why supervisory nursing leadership had not been held accountable and said "the compliance office should be independent from hospital administration." Colin Gomez told commissioners that, in his review of state records, he found reports and deficiencies tied to the facilities quality and privacy practices and asked why privacy officers and supervisors had not been disciplined.
Colfax said the department immediately notified the California Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Police Department and described steps to prevent future incidents: agency investigations, staff training on preventing and reporting abuse, improvements to drug-dispensing and monitoring policies, and a hospital turnaround plan. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with details on reporting timelines and the chain of accountability; Colfax and commissioners said they will return with additional information at the next hearings. The directors report also described other DPH activities including the recent appointment of a new chief information officer and outreach efforts.
The commission took no formal vote on the Laguna Honda incidents at this meeting; the director indicated regulatory and criminal investigations are ongoing and pledged further reporting to the commission.
