The Texas Department of State Health Services described “egregious deficiencies” at the hospital, including inadequate staffing levels, failure to keep proper medical records, systematic infection-control problems and failure to comply with local, state and federal law, according to the report.
The agency also cited nine examples since 2011 of cases in which patients suffered serious harm or were exposed to life-threatening conditions.
The $1 million settlement is the largest fine to date for any Texas hospital. A DSHS spokesperson said the amount reflects “the seriousness and magnitude of the situation,” according to the report.
Parkland has admitted no wrongdoing or unlawful conduct. Under the settlement agreement, the hospital avoids any litigation with the state pertaining to incidents before June 1.
Before this penalty, the highest previous fine against a hospital occurred in 2007, when Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston paid $50,000 over the mistreatment of mental patients.
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