From: Kathi Stringer [mailto:kathistringer@earthlink.net]

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:02 PM

To: Iacino, Jean (CDPH-DIR); Lincer, Jackie (CDPH-L&C)

Cc: Kathi Stringer

Subject: RE: Problem: L&C Letter dated Aug 9, 2007

 

 

On Monday, September 17, 2007 11:02 AM, Jackie sent the following email to

me (Kathi Stringer) and Bonnie Holle.

 

 

"Can you please handle as I don't have the files," Jackie

 

 

The Next Day:

 

Today at 2:00PM I received a call from Bonnie Holle, the local L&C.  She indicated that she was calling me to clear up the confusion, per Jackie's request.  I asked Bonnie before she started to clear up the confusion verbally, would she please do so in writing so that there is a record of the State's official position, so that we could all be clear.  Bonnie indicated that she would not do that, and verbal clarification would be the only method of communicating with me.

 

August 9, 2007 Letter extract in question:

 

Paragraph #3

"L&C validated the complaint allegation during the onsite visit.  Pursuant to our investigation, L&C sent the facility a statement of deficiencies, and the facility submitted an acceptable Plan of Correction to the Department (see enclosed form)."

 

Paragraph #4

"If L&C issued a statement of deficiencies form, the facility was required to submit a plan of correction that met federal and state requirements.  The same federal form, known as a "CMS 2567," is used for both purposes"

 

Bonnie indicated that the letter dated August 9, 2007 doesn't really mean what it says.  This very fustrating.  Again, the third paragraph in the letter states, "L&C validated the complaint allegation during the onsite visit.  Pursuant to our investigation, L&C sent the facility a statement of deficiencies, and the facility submitted an acceptable Plan of Correction to the Department (see enclosed form)."   Bonnie indicated that was incorrect and that no Plan of Correction exists from ETS/hospital.  I asked why the letter stated otherwise.  Bonnie indicated that the following paragraph, number four, clouds the meaning of paragraph three.  To be clear, lets go over the following paragraph.  The following paragraph states: "If L&C issued a statement of deficiencies form, the facility was required to submit a plan of correction that met federal and state requirements."  Notice it begins with "If L&C issued a statement of deficiencies.."  Of course L&C

issued a statement of deficiencies because the previous paragraph (#3) states, "L&C sent the facility a statement of deficiencies." and that validated there is now a Plan of Correction, according to this letter. To me it is as clear as can be. It states, "L&C validated the complaint allegation during the onsite visit.  Pursuant to our investigation, L&C sent the facility a statement of deficiencies, and the facility submitted an acceptable Plan of Correction to the Department (see enclosed form)."

 

I filed my complaint # CA000114563 on May 4, 2007. It has been over 4 months and now I have a letter from the State dated, August 9, 2007, and it is said to be ambiguous per Bonnie Holle, and doesn't mean what it says.  For the record, I would like a letter from the State that DOES'S mean what it says. I think I am entitled to that per code and regs.  Also, L&C sent a letter May 14, 2007 when I first filed this complaint a second time, and this letter indicated, "We anticipate that you will receive the L&C Program's findings within (60) days.  Again, it has been twice that long.

 

For the record: Clients/patients need to be OUT of ETS/Hospital in 23 hours and 59 minutes, because if they are still "involuntary" held, they are denied their State and Federal rights.  Some of those rights include:

 

The right to have visitors. (ETS does not allow visitors)

The right to have a bed.  (ETS has a massive bed shortage)

The right to privacy. (Clients do not have a room.)

The right to a comprehensive treatment plan. (ETS does not have group and individual therapy. Nor does ETS have a planned program structured with therapeutic activities.)

The list goes on and on (See Complaint # CA2500037635)

 

I've been on ETS and clients are packed in there like sardines in a sardine can.  In my view, at this time, the ONLY Plan of Correction would be a new ETS and Intensive Treatment Facility (ITF) with a reasonable COMPLETION date, This way ETS can transfer their patients to a larger bed facility in the new ITF. Otherwise, I suggest consideration to revoke their license, and/or impose fines.

 

Time is of the essence.  Patients are at risk.  All of these problems have been previously identified in the year 2005 (per Complaint # CA2500037635) and that Plan of Correction has FAILED and the State did NOT follow-up on that Plan of Correction and therefore put patients at risk.

 

REQUEST: I am requesting the following:

 

1. A letter of correction from the State that explains that the August 9, 2007 letter is incorrect and does not clearly the State's position.

2. The correct findings, status, and estimated completion date for the complaint # CA000114563 filed on May 4, 2007.

 

Thank you,

 

Kathi Stringer, Advocate

Kathi's Mental Health Review http://www.toddlertime.com