Elder-Care Provider Turns Over Her Licenses

THOUSAND OAKS —  Rather than face state charges that she neglected an elderly patient, the operator of four board-and-care facilities has turned in her licenses and agreed not to work in the industry until 2002.

Gazyna Grace Baran voluntarily signed a stipulation with state regulators this week that bars her from operating a board-and-care home for the elderly or working at any such facility licensed by the state.

Under the agreement, Baran is allowed to reapply for a license after four years. But in doing so, she would acknowledge that the allegations made by state regulators in June were true.

Those allegations accused Baran of failing to seek medical attention for an 86-year-old woman who suffered from a massive bedsore while living at one of Baran’s four residential care facilities.

The woman was hospitalized May 18 with a deep wound on her lower back, smaller bedsores on her ankles, elbow and heels, and a urinary tract infection, according to state reports. She died a week later.

In June, the state Department of Social Services accused Baran of failing to report the woman’s condition to a doctor, family members or state regulators.

A complaint filed June 3 stated that Baran “engaged in conduct inimical to the health, welfare, safety and morals of individuals receiving services and to the people of this state.”

State officials shuttered the four board-and-care homes and temporarily suspended Baran’s licenses to operate them. She contested the closure, and an administrative hearing was set for Oct. 6 and 7.

But that hearing was canceled after Baran agreed to a stipulation. Neither Baran nor her Calabasas attorney could be reached for comment on the reason behind the decision.

According to a four-page agreement released Thursday by state officials, Baran and the social services department wanted “to avoid the expense, inconvenience and publicity attendant on litigation of an administrative proceeding.”

Karen Perkins, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Social Services, said the agreement prohibits Baran from working as a licensed elder-care provider for four years.

Typically, such suspensions are for only two years, Perkins said.

For Baran, the agreement clears a significant legal hurdle. But the probe into the adequacy of care at her four facilities is far from over.

Baran is also the subject of a criminal investigation by the Ventura County district attorney’s office. Deputy Dist. Atty. Audry Rohn said Thursday that so far no charges have been filed.