"Never events" increase in Californian hospitals

2,446 adverse events were reported in California from July 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2009, according to the state Department of Public Health (San Francisco Chronicle), and the avoidable mistake continue to rise despite hospital efforts. In 2007, legislation was introduced to give public health officials the authority to issue administrative penalties for violations that put patients at risk of death or injury. Since 2007, California has issued 156 administrative penalties to 108 hospitals.