The Long Beach, Calif., city government is still attempting to prevent Community Medical Center Long Beach from closing after officials determined the facility did not meet the state's seismic standards, according to the Press-Telegram.
Here are seven things to know about the situation.
1. Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare Health Services, which operates the hospital, reported in November CMCLB must close and end acute care services by mid-2019 following concerns the hospital is not up to code with the state's earthquake safety laws.
2. A Jan. 17 memo by the city manager states the city commissioned a peer review of existing studies regarding the geologic conditions below the hospital. The peer review confirmed earlier findings the hospital is not up to code and is subject to closure, according to the report.
3. The city government reportedly plans to hire another consulting firm to examine the structural conditions of CMCLB's buildings and how much officials should expect to spend on upgrades to the facility.
4. It is unclear if officials will be able to successfully retrofit CMCLB. However, the memo states the California Office of Statewide Hospital Planning Development — the agency responsible for monitoring hospitals' compliance with seismic safety mandates — confirmed the hospital's structures that aren't up to code may be reclassified if officials are able to successfully retrofit the hospital, according to the report.
5. The Community Hospital Long Beach Foundation is also seeking to determine if local communities would be willing to provide financial support to maintain the hospital's acute care services.
6. However, even if the city manages to maintain hospital operations at the facility, there is no guarantee MemorialCare will continue operating the hospital, according to the report. City officials have reportedly contacted various other community leaders and local physicians to determine their interest in operating the facility, the report states.
7. Community Medical Center Long Beach CEO John Bishop told the Press-Telegram in a statement, "We are pleased with the city's collaboration and confirmation of the seismic findings that beneath the hospital is an active fault that is larger than originally was known. We will continue to work with the city of Long Beach and other stakeholders to identify the best solution on behalf of our community."
To access the full report, click here.