Committee is moving on to discussing behavioral health facilities in the state. I got a copy of the report prior to this meeting and it is a doozy.

“There are some good providers but overshadowed by many critical systematic issues we find in facilities. It’s a growing trend and it’s bad,” says Jolynn Mara.

People have died in these IDD/behavioral health facilities because of lack of proper care. In the report, a 19-year-old drank antifreeze and went half a day without care. He lived but was in intensive care for weeks.

This person requires round the clock care. He told his caretaker he drank it when he was outside alone. Nursing staff was told. He fell face first into his dinner. He wasn’t evaluated. He fell in the night and got sent to the ER. That’s how he got treatment.

Staff lied to hospital staff that he ingested hand soap before admitted he drank antifreeze. He had to be life flighted to Charleston. He had dialysis.

In a home, one patient was punched by a staff member and entered an episode. Police were called and the patient was tasered. The staff member was arrested days later.

Other complaints include death, prescriptions not being filled, staff sitting on patients.

Mara says IDD waiver homes are preferred because it’s not an institution and it’s more integrated into the community. But DHHR only goes into these homes when there is a complaint.

After June 1 thanks to a new law, civil money penalties can be issued by DHHR and they can close providers.
“These clients need a safe place to live. Key word is safe,” Mara says. Says Sec. Crouch has met with providers to ensure compliance.