Mental hospital gets accreditation

Monday, Jan. 21, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The state's mental health hospital and its outpatient services in Reno have been awarded national accreditation again for three years.

Southern Nevada Mental Health Services, the state's mental health hospital and outpatient clinics in Clark County, are preparing for an inspection early next year to gain their first accreditation.

Carlos Brandenburg, administrator of the state Division Mental Health and Developmental Services, said Friday the Legislature allocated $60,000 for a preliminary survey of the Clark County facilities to prepare for the inspection.

In Northern Nevada, Brandenburg said, a team of doctors and nurses from the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations conducted a three-day inspection of the hospital and outpatient services.

The survey team particularly praised the procedures and policies for handling of patients who need to be restrained or secluded because of their hostile behavior, he said.

The accreditation, which the Northern Nevada facilities have had for decades, demonstrates the services meet national standards, Brandenburg said.