The Associated Press story “U.S. says care lacking at psychiatric hospital — Western State’s loss of certification likely to affect hiring, staff” was appalling and the problem is monetary (June 28, The Columbian). There’s not enough staff to care for the patients nor staff to do repairs and other duties.
A hospital that size probably requires two to three times as many nurses and doctors, and at least twice as many service people.
The medication problem is absurd. Patients take their own medication when it’s delivered by a nurse. The nurses should never walk away; they should stay and make sure it’s taken.
Cutting 20 percent of the hospital’s budget is crazy; it already appears to be short-changed. Repairs must be made to cracked walls and more. The Legislature needs to raise its budget so they can get things straightened out, with more nurses, aides and janitorial service. The hospital must be helped and recertified. Where else will all those people go?
