Napa State Hospital in the news AGAIN

The 2005-2006 State of Kalifornia budget includes the following figures:

554,000 disabled individuals are enrolled in California services.  Of these,
2% [11,080) are institutionalized in state-operated facilities [not broken
down by age.]  Taking 8 counties into consideration, that would be 1385 men,
women, children in state owned mental/dd facilities --often combined.  The
stats for exact # of auties was not included.  But, Napa State has 3
intensive programs for the "autism client," including the children who live
there.


Report Criticizes Calif. Mental Hospital
By KIM CURTIS
Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - Patients at a state mental hospital overdosed on illegal
drugs, were improperly restrained for hours on end and were forced to spend
12 hours in soiled diapers, according to a scathing report issued by the
U.S. Justice Department.
The report said the problems were among "widespread and systematic
deficiencies" at Napa State Hospital, including suicide and inadequate
medical care. Some patients were bathed only every two to four weeks, the
report said.

State officials were given until Aug. 15 to implement "minimum remedial
measures" at the mental hospital, which has about 1,100 patients.

Lupe Rincon, a hospital spokeswoman, said many allegations were based on
inaccurate information from family members, advocates and old surveys. But
she said she could not respond to specific complaints.

[*** Sure lupe-loo ... those families and advocates attracted the attention
of the Justice Department *because* of inaccurate information.  okay.
[every hospital I've *ever* worked for employed some real good
manipulators/spinners of crap in their P.R. departments.]

"Releasing further information could compromise our negotiations for a
settlement agreement" with the Justice Department, she said.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office had no response to the report, contained
in a June 27 letter to him, and directed inquiries to the state Department
of Mental Health.

The Justice Department investigation began in January 2004. The California
Department of Mental Health has refused to cooperate, repeatedly preventing
access to the facility, said the letter from Bradley J. Schlozman, acting
assistant attorney general. A Justice Department spokesman did not
immediately return a call seeking comment.

Department of Mental Health spokeswoman Kirsten Macintyre said Thursday the
department did not deny access, but simply asked for a delay because an
investigation is "a huge diversion of resources" and because time and money
was already being spent on preparing for the hospital's reaccreditation,
which takes place this fall.

"I'm not saying we're perfect on patient care," said Macintyre, who added
that the department already has improved some of its problem areas. "But you
have to present things in a fair light."

The report also said that hospital staff punished patients who sought
release, failed to provide English interpreters and refused to intervene
during violent episodes among patients.

Three patients also overdosed on methamphetamine or cocaine in the fall of
2004 and one died, according to the report. Three other patients were able
to use heroin, the report said.

Restraints and seclusion also are overused at Napa, according to the Justice
Department. The report cited one patient who was restrained for 369
consecutive hours.

[**** This sickens me to no end.  And it goes on in every state of this
nation.  The hands that built America?   They're tainted and continue to be
so.]