Mental hospital may be delayed

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006 | 8 a.m.

SPARKS -- Construction of the state's new mental hospital in Las Vegas is on schedule and within budget, but it may not open on time because of a lack of nurses.

Dr. David Rosin, medical director for the state Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services, said Friday that the state is working to recruit the 99 psychiatric nurses needed for the 150-bed hospital being built at Oakey and Jones boulevards.

Rosin told a meeting of the state Commission on Mental Health and Developmental Services that the hospital was 76 percent complete.

The state has been recruiting nurses since April, but it can't compete with private hospitals that are offering bonuses for working overtime or different shifts, he said.

Rosin did not reveal how many nurses have committed to work at the new hospital so far.

The 2003 Legislature allocated $32.2 million to build the hospital, and the 2005 Legislature authorized another $11 million to add a fourth wing with 40 more beds, which would be completed in August.

Carlos Brandenburg, director of the division, said 22 new doctors and 99 new nurses are needed.

"If we can't bring on the new nurses, I don't know how we are going to be able to open the new hospital."

He said the Legislature gave a 15 percent bump in pay to nurses in state government, but that the state could not pay bonuses like the private sector.

He said he would know by May whether the Neal-Rawson Hospital could open this summer.

"What is happening is there is a national shortage," said Brandenburg. "That is why we started so early."

Rosin said he has been contacting nursing schools, running advertisements and taking other steps to attract the nurses to Las Vegas.

All of the local hospitals in Clark County are using traveling nurses, Rosin added.

The delay in opening the hospital could cause other problems. This week there were more than 90 people waiting in hospital emergency rooms to be transferred to the present mental hospital. Brandenburg said that number fell to 60 by the end of the week.

The state had contracted with West Care Nevada Inc. to take some of the patients while they wait for admission to the mental health facilities.

Brandenburg expects another jump in the number of patients in emergency room in April and May.

Cy Ryan can be reached at (775) 687 5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com.