Politics & Government

Health System Plans Potential Exit From Burlingame Facility

In February, the Board of Supervisors will decide whether to keep the County health system operating in the Burlingame Long Term Care Facility.

The Burlingame Long Term Care Center may soon be forced into closing its doors to patients and staff.

The County Health System plans on recommending to the Board of Supervisors that San Mateo County refrain from renewing the lease of Burlingame Long Term Care Center when it expires in 2013.

Due to the age and condition of the building, which is close to 50 years old, the County Health System recommends pulling out of Burlingame and opening 32 skilled nursing beds at San Mateo Medical Center, where there are currently already 32 beds.

Find out what's happening in Burlingame-Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This was a very difficult decision knowing the impact it will have on the Burlingame patients and their families, as well as our staff members,” said Health System Chief Jean Fraser in a statement. “But it is the right decision given the age and condition of the building.”

The Burlingame building, located at 1100 Trousdale Drive, is unable to support modern quality standards. It failed to meet hospital seismic requirements, has limited outdoor access and has small rooms lacking in privacy. While an outside expert concluded medical professionals were providing the best care possible, the limitations of the facility made it clear the lease should not be renewed.

Find out what's happening in Burlingame-Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additionally, with the state decreasing the rate it pays for hospital nursing care by 23 percent in November, renewing the lease would amount to an annual lost of more than $9 million.

The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury previously recommending closing the facility in a 2011 report, citing in part the outdated building.

If the Board of Supervisors accepts the recommendation, the Health System guarantees residents will receive appropriate placement elsewhere and a safe transition to their new locations.

“We will not leave Burlingame Long Term Care until everyone has a new home,” said Dr. Susan Ehrlich, San Mateo Medical Center’s CEO, in a statement. “We are making this recommendation to the Board now so we have time to ensure that every resident is placed in an appropriate new setting.”

Leaving the Burlingame facility will result in the loss of 200 staff positions, which will occur gradually over a 16-month resident transition period. Health System officials said they would try to find jobs for the Burlingame Long Term Care staff throughout the County.

The County has operated the Long Term Care facility since 2003 when the State Department of Health Services put it into receivership.

The Board of Supervisors will make a decision on the lease at a Feb. 14 meeting.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here