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Costa Mesa Nursing Home Fined $75K For Allegedly Causing Death Of 92-Year-Old

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Costa Mesa nursing home faces a $75,000 fine from state health officials, who say violations led to the death of a 92-year-old patient in September.

The Orange County Register reports Wednesday that Victoria Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is appealing the fine.

According to state officials, the nursing home failed to detect a ruptured intestinal ulcer and infection after a patient was admitted to recover from a broken hip.

State investigators say staff noted the patient developed a distended, painful abdomen, low urine output and loss of appetite, but never contacted his doctor.

He was found without a pulse five days after developing symptoms and died at a hospital Sept. 13.

An autopsy found that the man's "untimely" death was caused by a ruptured ulcer that led to a bloodstream infection.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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