LOS ANGELES (AP) — Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital should lose its license to practice medicine because of repeated lapses in care that have harmed some of their patients, according to a report from state health regulators.

The allegations by the California Department of Health Services, detailed in a 32-page document released Friday, cite findings from nine inspections from October 2004 to June 2007.

The state is seeking to revoke the hospital's license.

The hospital, formerly known as King/Drew, can remain open while it challenges the state's action. However, the hospital could close if the state's efforts are upheld. The state could also drop its request if it finds King-Harbor has fixed its problems.

"I hope that the hospital can be successful and that the people who have been accessing care at Martin Luther King hospital will continue to be able to do so in a safe manner," said Kathleen Billingsley, deputy director of the state health department.

The report says King-Harbor has failed to ensure the competency of its nurses and the protection of its patients.

Among the cases cited in the state's accusation is that of Edith Isabel Rodriguez, a 43-year-old woman who died May 9 after writhing on the floor of the emergency room lobby for 45 minutes as employees ignored her.

Rodriguez's three children have filed a claim for damages against the county, which is required before a lawsuit can be filed.

Other examples cited by the state include a dialysis patient who was forced to wake her nurse in June 2005 when a needle became dislodged from her arm, spurting blood.

Also noted was an AIDS patient who died in October 2004 after a nurse failed to notice that his vital signs were plummeting, as shown on his cardiac monitor.

Dr. Bruce Chernof, director of the county Department of Health Services, said his office takes the state's action seriously but wants to reassure the community that the hospital remains open.

"It's very important for me that, whatever ultimately happens, there is a thoughtful transition, and we don't scare the community," he said.

King-Harbor has been unable to meet minimum federal standards for patient care since January 2004.

After the hospital failed a federal inspection last September, the county slashed services there, ended its physician training programs and reduced the number of beds to 48 from about 250.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cited the hospital for placing emergency room patients in immediate jeopardy.

The hospital quickly made improvements that satisfied the government.

The Medicare agency is slated to conduct another inspection of King-Harbor next month.

If the hospital fails, federal officials have said they will pull certification and funding without delay.