Work and Project by Kathi Stringer

Corrective Action for Overcrowding
Riverside County Psychiatric Hospital
Emergency Treatment Services (ETS).

Problem: A significant number of psych  patients were held over the 24-hour time limit at Riverside County's Emergency Treatment Services (ETS).  In the 24-hour time limit, 1 of 3 things are suppose to happen.

  1. Admit Patient
  2. Discharge Patient
  3. Transfer Patient to a different hospital

The reason patients need to be off the emergency unit in 24 hours is because space and supplies are limited.  For example, a suicidal patient could be sleeping on the cold dirty floor.  Also, the patients are denied their civil rights and patient rights.  For example, a patient is NOT allowed visitors on ETS, or in most cases not even allowed a bed due to over crowding.  They are not allowed privacy.  Many things are denied a patient when the are involuntary held on ETS.  The patient is NOT free to leave because the door is locked.  The patient is forced to put with a loss of rights.   This Page shows you how to get Corrective Action if you need it.

The corrective action in this case, was to bring the hospital into compliance by expanding the hospital. I was able to get them to do this with the work below. In addition, a larger psych hospital is being built - Kathi Stringer (Letter 3 & Letter 4 below)

Demand for Change

STEP 1
Demand Letter to State Licensing & Certification for Change (Written by Kathi Stringer)

Over crowding letter sent to the State Department of Health Services.
(Attachments included)

Also Enclosed:
Chart – ETS Stats on Yearly Admits/5150
Chart – ETS Stats on Admits/5150 w data
ITF Minutes from Year 2000
 

Demand for Change Granted

STEP 2
Response from Licensing & Certification

Keep Good Notes - Follow Up

STEP 3
STAY ON TOP OF IT - Make Notes

 

OVER ONE YEAR LATER - FOLLOW UP ON CORRECTIVE ACTION

ADDED June 18, 2008

EMAILS that followed the above letter - in order received

OUTCOME