Region's small and medium-sized hospitals scramble to make retrofits

This story was originally published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

More than a dozen buildings at some of the region's small and medium-sized hospitals pose a "significant" risk of collapsing and becoming a danger to the public in the event of an earthquake, according to the state.

These buildings have received a "1" in the structural performance category by the state's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development - the lowest rating on the scale of 1 to 5.

The hospitals are required to provide the state with thier plans for these at-risk buildings.

Whittier Hospital Medical Center

The 178-bed hospital has four buildings that have a "1" rating.

According to a report submitted to the state, all are slated to be replaced, but not until 2020.

Alhambra Hospital

The 144-bed hospital consists of only one building, and that single building, built in 1974, has received the lowest rating, 1.

CEO Iris Lai says the hospital it "working diligently" to retrofit the hospital. It has already received approval from the state for its plans. It has now hired an architect for the work.

San Gabriel Valley Medical Center

The 273-bed hospital has one building that has recieved the poor "1" rating.

Officials have received approval from state officials to retrofit the building, which is a single-story building built in 1960.

East Valley Hospital Medical Center in Glendora

All of the hospital's four buildings have received the poor "1" rating.

Officials at the 128-bed hospital are hoping to be approved for a retrofit of the buildings, but if they do not receive the approval, they will replace them by 2030, an administrator said.

Beverly Hospital

Five buildings in the 224-bed hospital have received a rating of "1."

The main tower has a 15.48 percent chance of collapsing in a major earthquake, according to state measurements.

According to a report the hospital filed with the state, it plans to retrofit the main tower, along with another building, by 2015 and remove the other buildings by 2013.