Zuckerberg SF General Hospital Probing 2 Latest Deaths

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is conducting an investigation into a patient's death Monday, the second death to occur at the hospital's campus since last Wednesday when an employee discovered the body of 75-year-old Ruby Andersen inside a hospital power plant facility.

In the latest incident, the female patient died unexpectedly. "Our sympathies are with the patient and her family," San Francisco Department of Public Health officials said in statement.

The city's medical examiner's office has completed an autopsy and the preliminary findings have ruled out homicide. The cause of her death is pending additional studies and a report will be completed within the coming weeks, according to health officials.

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In the case of Andersen, the medical examiner's office has also ruled out homicide and is continuing to determine how she died. Andersen had been reported missing on May 20 from the hospital, although she was not a patient there. The employee discovered Andersen in the power plant facility's stairway around 1 p.m.

According to health department officials and the San Francisco Sheriff's Department officials, the facility had been kept open for most of the day and was not regularly patrolled by deputies.

Several new security measures have been in place in wake of Andersen's death, including badge-only access 24 hours a day and the installation of additional alarm and camera systems at the power plant building.

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The investigation into Andersen's death is ongoing and is being conducted by the city's health department as well as the sheriff's department.

The California Department of Public Health will conduct its own investigation into the power plant building, health department officials said. The state health department licenses the hospital.

The California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, which licenses a residential care facility for the elderly and the adult residential facility located at the Behavioral Health Center on the hospital's campus, is also conducting an investigation.

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In a separate case in 2013, Lynne Spalding, 57, was found dead in a hospital stairwell after she had been reported missing the previous month.

Spalding, a British woman, went missing after being admitted to the hospital only two days earlier.

According to a report by the medical examiner's office, Spalding had been dead for some days before being discovered. Her death was ruled accidental, due to an electrolyte imbalance, a condition that can be caused
by dehydration.

Spalding's death triggered a set of new security protocols for staff and sheriff's deputies at the hospital. Also, the city settled a lawsuit with her family for nearly $3 million.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock