Mental health facility given national accreditation

Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 | 8:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state's mental health hospital in Southern Nevada and its outpatient programs have received national accreditation, signifying the hospital offers safe and quality care to its patients.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations notified the state last week it had passed the examination and now has "the Gold Standard" in health care for three years.

Carlos Brandenburg, director of the state Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, said Friday this was the first time the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services had sought national accreditation. The Legislature allocated $68,000 to help the agency prepare for the inspection.

The program operates not only the hospital on West Charleston Boulevard but also outpatient clinics and assisted living in the community for 600 people with mental health problems.

This accreditation, said Brandenburg should give the public, the Legislature and the governor "confidence in the delivery system."

The 2003 Legislature approved the recommendation of Gov. Kenny Guinn for a budget for the program of $52 million for this fiscal year, an increase of 22.6 percent and $57.9 million next year, an 11.4 percent increase. It also agreed with the governor to set aside $32 million to build a new 150-bed hospital on West Charleston to replace the present 103-bed facility constructed in 1975.

The proposed new hospital has sparked protests from people in the surrounding neighborhood and a hearing is set for next month before city planners on the application.

Jonna F. Triggs, director of the agency, said two surveyors from the joint commission spent three days interviewing staff and patients, concentrating on the areas of improvement of care and safety.

The surveyors said they were "impressed with the quality and dedication of the staff," Triggs said. The programs involve 367 employees scattered through the Las Vegas Valley.

The surveyors visited not only the hospital but also the outpatient clinics and those patients who are living in the community in adult group homes or apartments.

Brandenburg said the accreditation will allow the hospital to have a residency program for training psychiatrists. The accreditation evaluation is voluntary.

The joint commission did find there were some areas that needed to be improved in the next 90 days. Triggs called them minor items and there would not be any problem making the changes.

For instance the surveyors recommended: that a medical history and physical examination be completed within 24 hours after admission; that the professional and education of advance staff be verified; alcohol-based hand disinfectant be available in the units to reduce the risk of infections and that all prescription orders be reviewed to make sure they are appropriate.

The joint commission also recommended the agency conduct an analysis of provision of services in an emergency. It also found that the privacy rights of an individual were violated when he or she was placed in a restraint room that could be viewed by all the other patients.

But the joint commission said, "The fact that this facility has gone through this evaluation shows an extraordinary commitment to provide safe, high quality care and a willingness to be measured against the highest standards of performance."

The state's mental hospital in Sparks has held national accreditation for a number of years. Brandenburg said he wants to get the accreditation for the rural mental health clinics and for Lake's Crossing that treats those persons convicted or accused of a crime who are found to be mentally ill.

He said all of the programs for the developmentally disabled are nationally accredited.