Loma Linda University Health has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it improperly disposed of hazardous waste and confidential patient records at its facilities across the Inland Empire.
Prosecutors in San Bernardino and Riverside counties announced the settlement Wednesday, June 3, noting the health system will pay $6.75 million in civil penalties; $500,000 to reimburse the costs of the investigation and $250,000 to fund environmental projects that benefit California communities.
The settlement ends an investigation launched in 2022 by the Riverside and San Bernardino county district attorneys’ offices into how waste from LLUH hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities was identified, stored, handled and disposed.
Investigators found numerous instances in which regulated waste allegedly was placed in regular trash containers destined for municipal landfills rather than being disposed of in accordance with state requirements. Among the materials discovered during waste inspections were hazardous pharmaceutical waste, batteries, aerosol cans and medical waste, according to a news release.
Investigators also found patient records containing protected health information that should have been shredded, erased or otherwise rendered unreadable before disposal, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
“Protecting the health and safety of our community is one of our highest priorities,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said in a statement. “The unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, and confidential patient information poses real risks to residents, and our office is committed to holding organizations accountable when these violations occur.”
Loma Linda University Health is one of the Inland Empire’s largest healthcare systems, operating six hospitals in Loma Linda, Redlands and Murrieta, along with clinics throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The system provides more than 1.1 million outpatient visits and over 60,000 inpatient visits annually.
Loma Linda University Health acknowledged in a statement that its disposal practices “did not fully align with established disposal requirements or internal policies.”
“Once this issue was identified, immediate corrective actions were taken, including conducting comprehensive reviews of waste management practices across our facilities, strengthening oversight, and implementing enhanced, mandatory training for employees and physicians focused on correct waste segregation and disposal,” the statement said.
“LLUH cooperated fully throughout the investigation and engaged constructively with the District Attorneys’ offices to reach a resolution, which is reflected in the stipulated judgment the District Attorneys’ offices and LLUH have filed.”
Prosecutors noted that LLUH undertook significant corrective actions, including a systemwide overhaul of its waste management program, changes to employee training and improvements to waste-handling procedures.
Loma Linda also agreed to comply with a permanent injunction prohibiting future violations of California laws governing hazardous waste, medical waste and the protection of confidential medical information.
In addition, the healthcare provider must maintain and enhance a comprehensive compliance program designed to improve waste management and ensure compliance with environmental and healthcare regulations.
The settlement includes a suspended $1 million penalty that will remain in effect for five years. Prosecutors said the penalty could be imposed if the health system fails to spend at least $3 million on required compliance measures during that period.
Authorities said the settlement is intended to protect public health, safeguard patient privacy and ensure compliance with California environmental and healthcare laws.