July 2007

2006-2007 Grand Jury Report: Riverside County Regional Medical Center Mental Health Inpatient Treatment Facility & Emergency Treatment Services Department of Psychiatry

The Riverside County Regional Medical Center Mental Health Inpatient Treatment Facility and Emergency Treatment Services provided short and long-term psychiatric services to adults and adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 in Riverside County. The Grand Jury in Riverside, California found that the 77-bed mental health inpatient treatment facility provided substandard care and safety and urged that the County Board of Supervisors institute many changes. The Grand Jury found that the facility's care was compromised by managers who disregarded physicians orders and understated patient symptoms to discharge patients to home or community placements rather than institutional placements. Among the findings:

• Failure to maintain complete medical records
   

• Failure to report all deaths and injuries at the facility
   

• Lack of appropriate placement planning
   

• High staff turnover rate

The grand jury recommended that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors immediately audit the facility, ensure staff training, and improve patient care and safety.