On October 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that it had levied an ‘AA Citation,’ its most severe penalty under law, and a $90,000 fine to Fallbrook Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility, after finishing an investigation in which they concluded that inadequate care led to the death of a male patient.

“The ceiling for a fine in this case is $100,000 and they were issued one for $90,000” said Ralph Montano, public affairs spokesperson for the CDPH. “Our attorneys base that on a lot of criteria they review.” State citations that require a civil monetar...