The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) licenses every hospital and fines one when it finds a problem that caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to a patient (an "immediate jeopardy" administrative penalty), or when the hospital doesn't report an adverse event or a patient-privacy breach to CDPH on time. Below is every North County hospital's record in CDPH's open data, 1997 to 2023: 58 penalties across 6 of 9 hospitals. For anything newer, CDPH's own dashboard is linked further down.
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North County hospitals, by city
| Hospital | City | Penalties | Administrative | Failure to report | Final amount | Most recent | Most common reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas | Encinitas | 6 | 2 | 4 | $75,700 | Aug 23, 2022 | deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker |
| Palomar Rehabilitation Institute | Escondido | 0 | 0 | 0 | none in the file | ||
| Palomar UCSD Medical Center Escondido | Escondido | 10 | 5 | 5 | $330,500 | Sep 6, 2023 | deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker |
| Sharp Tri-City Medical Center | Oceanside | 12 | 7 | 5 | $555,625 | Dec 17, 2021 | retention of a foreign object in a patient |
| Palomar UCSD Medical Center Poway | Poway | 8 | 3 | 5 | $171,300 | May 21, 2015 | death associated with a fall |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos | San Marcos | 0 | 0 | 0 | none in the file | ||
| Scripps Green Hospital | La Jolla | 11 | 7 | 4 | $430,075 | Oct 24, 2023 | retention of a foreign object in a patient |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital - La Jolla | La Jolla | 11 | 8 | 3 | $317,212 | Aug 19, 2016 | retention of a foreign object in a patient |
| UC San Diego Health La Jolla - Jacobs Medical Center & Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center | La Jolla | 0 | 0 | 0 | none in the file |
Listed by city, not ranked. A bigger hospital treats more patients, so compare a hospital's record with itself over time, not with its neighbor. La Jolla hospitals are included because many North County families use them.
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Each hospital's penalties
Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas, 354 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas: 6 State penalties, $75,700 final, most recent Aug 23, 2022.
Every penalty in the file
- Aug 23, 2022 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $10,000 final · closed
- Mar 11, 2015 · failure to report penalty · breach to person/entity outside facility/hc system · $1,500 final · closed
- Apr 7, 2014 · failure to report penalty · breach to person/entity outside facility/hc system · $4,900 final · closed
- Mar 14, 2014 · failure to report penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $2,700 final · closed
- Jul 21, 2010 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $50,000 final · closed
- Oct 20, 2008 · failure to report penalty · stage 3 or 4 ulcer acquired after admission · $6,600 final · closed
Palomar Rehabilitation Institute, 2181 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido: no State penalties in CDPH's 1997 to 2023 file. Check the dashboard below for anything newer.
Palomar UCSD Medical Center Escondido, 2185 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido: 10 State penalties, $330,500 final, most recent Sep 6, 2023.
Every penalty in the file
- Sep 6, 2023 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $125,000 final · closed
- Aug 15, 2023 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $125,000 final · closed
- May 25, 2017 · failure to report penalty · stage 3 or 4 ulcer acquired after admission · $600 final · closed
- May 16, 2017 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $13,200 final · closed
- Oct 21, 2016 · administrative penalty · other Non-Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $4,000 final · closed
- Apr 15, 2016 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $11,600 final · closed · appealed
- May 13, 2015 · failure to report penalty · breach by h/c worker within facility/hc system · $200 final · closed
- Sep 9, 2014 · failure to report penalty · breach to person/entity outside facility/hc system · $100 final · closed
- Apr 2, 2014 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $50,000 final · closed
- May 2, 2013 · failure to report penalty · adverse event or series of adverse events · $800 final · closed
Sharp Tri-City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside: 12 State penalties, $555,625 final, most recent Dec 17, 2021.
Every penalty in the file
- Dec 17, 2021 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $20,000 final · closed
- Dec 9, 2015 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $12,600 final · closed
- Sep 4, 2015 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach by person other than a h/c worker · $250,000 final · closed
- Apr 29, 2015 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $47,025 final · closed
- Nov 8, 2011 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $75,000 final · closed · appealed
- Jan 11, 2010 · administrative penalty · death/disability due to a burn · $50,000 final · closed · appealed
- Jan 6, 2010 · failure to report penalty · adverse event or series of adverse events · $1,300 final · closed
- Jun 11, 2009 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $17,500 final · closed · appealed
- Jun 11, 2009 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $17,500 final · closed · appealed
- May 28, 2009 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $7,000 final · closed
- Apr 10, 2009 · failure to report penalty · death during or up to 24 hours after surgery · $32,700 final · closed
- Mar 3, 2009 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $25,000 final · closed
Palomar UCSD Medical Center Poway, 15615 Pomerado Rd, Poway: 8 State penalties, $171,300 final, most recent May 21, 2015.
Every penalty in the file
- May 21, 2015 · failure to report penalty · breach to person/entity outside facility/hc system · $19,900 final · closed
- Aug 23, 2013 · failure to report penalty · stage 3 or 4 ulcer acquired after admission · $600 final · closed
- Sep 16, 2011 · failure to report penalty · adverse event or series of adverse events · $400 final · closed
- May 26, 2010 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $75,000 final · closed
- Nov 25, 2009 · administrative penalty · death associated with a fall · $50,000 final · closed · appealed
- Jun 27, 2008 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $200 final · closed
- Jun 5, 2008 · administrative penalty · use of device other than as intended · $25,000 final · closed
- Mar 27, 2008 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $200 final · closed
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos, 360 Rush Dr, San Marcos: no State penalties in CDPH's 1997 to 2023 file. Check the dashboard below for anything newer.
Scripps Green Hospital, 10666 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla: 11 State penalties, $430,075 final, most recent Oct 24, 2023.
Every penalty in the file
- Oct 24, 2023 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach by person other than a h/c worker · $250,000 final · open · appealed
- Nov 24, 2021 · administrative penalty · deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker · $15,000 final · closed
- Dec 21, 2016 · administrative penalty · adverse event or series of adverse events · $12,375 final · closed
- May 21, 2015 · failure to report penalty · breach to person/entity outside facility/hc system · $1,000 final · closed
- Feb 3, 2010 · administrative penalty · use of contaminated drug, device, or biologic · $40,000 final · closed · appealed
- Nov 25, 2009 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $50,000 final · closed
- Oct 15, 2009 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $1,300 final · closed
- Jul 16, 2008 · failure to report penalty · medication error · $8,200 final · closed
- Jun 20, 2008 · administrative penalty · other Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $25,000 final · closed
- Mar 24, 2008 · administrative penalty · use of contaminated drug, device, or biologic · $25,000 final · closed
- Dec 27, 2007 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $2,200 final · closed
Scripps Memorial Hospital - La Jolla, 9896 Genesee Ave, La Jolla: 11 State penalties, $317,212 final, most recent Aug 19, 2016.
Every penalty in the file
- Aug 19, 2016 · administrative penalty · other Non-Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $12,600 final · closed
- Jun 23, 2016 · administrative penalty · other Non-Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $11,812 final · closed
- Aug 9, 2011 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $100,000 final · closed
- Apr 26, 2011 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $75,000 final · closed
- Aug 10, 2010 · administrative penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $35,000 final · closed · appealed
- Jun 19, 2009 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $2,800 final · closed
- Jan 30, 2009 · failure to report penalty · stage 3 or 4 ulcer acquired after admission · $3,700 final · closed
- Jun 9, 2008 · failure to report penalty · retention of a foreign object in a patient · $1,300 final · closed
- Apr 18, 2008 · administrative penalty · other Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $25,000 final · closed
- Mar 24, 2008 · administrative penalty · death/injury from a physical assault · $25,000 final · closed
- Mar 7, 2008 · administrative penalty · other Immediate Jeopardy (not an AE) · $25,000 final · closed
UC San Diego Health La Jolla - Jacobs Medical Center & Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla: no State penalties in CDPH's 1997 to 2023 file. Check the dashboard below for anything newer.
What the penalty types mean
- Administrative penalty, immediate jeopardy (Health and Safety Code 1280.3): CDPH found a licensing problem that caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to a patient.
- Administrative penalty, non-immediate jeopardy (HSC 1280.3): a licensing problem below that line.
- Failure to report an adverse event (HSC 1280.4): the hospital didn't tell CDPH about a serious event, such as an object left in a patient after surgery, within the required time.
- Failure to report a breach (HSC 1280.15): the hospital didn't report a breach of a patient's medical information to CDPH or to the patient on time.
"Closed" means the action is final or the penalty was paid; "open" means the hospital may still appeal. Appeals can change the amount, which is why the final amount can differ from the first one (CDPH data dictionary).
The fix: check anything newer, and what to ask
- Newer penalties: CDPH stopped updating this open file in mid-2024 (its last hospital penalty is from 2023). Its State Enforcement Actions dashboard has current ones.
- Inspections and complaints: search the hospital by name on Cal Health Find, CDPH's facility lookup.
- Before a planned surgery: ask the hospital operator for Patient Relations (every hospital has a patient advocate), and ask the surgeon's office how the hospital counts instruments and sponges after an operation, the most common reason on this page.
- A parent in the hospital now: a HIPAA form for family lets the doctors talk to you, and the patient portal shows the test results.
PJ does the legwork with you: pulls the record, writes down the questions for the surgeon and Patient Relations, and keeps the paperwork straight. Family Assist, $30 an hour. He doesn't give medical or legal advice. Text PJ.
More State records for families: nursing homes, rated · adult day programs · check a care home · every licensed assisted living home.
Sources: CDPH, Health Facilities State Enforcement Actions, 1997-2023 (archived data file and its data dictionary and lookup table), and CDPH's Licensed and Certified Healthcare Facility Listing (updated October 16, 2026), on data.chhs.ca.gov. Checked October 22, 2026.
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Questions people ask
How do I look up a hospital's citations or penalties from CDPH?
CDPH publishes them. Its open data file lists every administrative and failure-to-report penalty from 1997 to 2023; newer ones are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard, and inspections and complaints are on Cal Health Find, CDPH's facility lookup. This page lists every North County hospital's penalties from the file.
Has Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas in Encinitas been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 6 State penalties for Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas in Encinitas from 1997 to 2023, $75,700 final in all, the most recent on Aug 23, 2022; the most common reason was deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
Has Palomar UCSD Medical Center Escondido in Escondido been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 10 State penalties for Palomar UCSD Medical Center Escondido in Escondido from 1997 to 2023, $330,500 final in all, the most recent on Sep 6, 2023; the most common reason was deliberate breach of patient health information by health care worker. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
Has Sharp Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 12 State penalties for Sharp Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside (also listed as Tri-City Medical Center) from 1997 to 2023, $555,625 final in all, the most recent on Dec 17, 2021; the most common reason was retention of a foreign object in a patient. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
Has Palomar UCSD Medical Center Poway in Poway been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 8 State penalties for Palomar UCSD Medical Center Poway in Poway (also listed as Palomar Medical Center Poway, Palomar Medical Center Poway D/P Aph) from 1997 to 2023, $171,300 final in all, the most recent on May 21, 2015; the most common reason was death associated with a fall. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
Has Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 11 State penalties for Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla from 1997 to 2023, $430,075 final in all, the most recent on Oct 24, 2023; the most common reason was retention of a foreign object in a patient. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
Has Scripps Memorial Hospital - La Jolla in La Jolla been fined by CDPH?
Yes. CDPH (the California Department of Public Health) lists 11 State penalties for Scripps Memorial Hospital - La Jolla in La Jolla from 1997 to 2023, $317,212 final in all, the most recent on Aug 19, 2016; the most common reason was retention of a foreign object in a patient. Newer penalties are on CDPH's State Enforcement Actions dashboard.
What is an immediate jeopardy penalty for a California hospital?
An administrative penalty CDPH issues under Health and Safety Code 1280.3 when a hospital's failure to meet a licensing requirement caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to a patient.
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