Sunday,  March 23 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Business / Clark County Business

People with developmental disabilities end up staying in Clark County hospitals longer than needed

Washington ranks 30th in efforts to serve individuals with intellectual, developmental disabilities

By Brianna Murschel, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 3, 2025, 6:09am
success iconThis article is available exclusively to subscribers like you.
5 Photos
Mathea Christopher, who leads care management at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, takes a break outside the emergency room.
Mathea Christopher, who leads care management at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, takes a break outside the emergency room. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Clark County hospitals’ emergency rooms are seeing patients who don’t necessarily need to be treated.

This is a statewide issue. Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are taken to hospitals around the state and aren’t discharged until they have a safe place to go — which can take years. Some have a medical need initially but stay even after that need is met.

Thank you for reading The Columbian.

Subscribe for only $1.99/week to get unlimited access.

Already a subscriber? Sign in right arrow icon
Loading...